Starting a public health or accommodation business

Preparing for Public Health and Wellbeing Act registration

Follow these steps to prepare your premises for health or accommodation business (premises) registration:

1. Contact our Business Concierge to check if any permits are required before registration. You must obtain these permits before applying for registration with Environmental Health Services.
2. Before setting up a new premises or refurbishing an existing one, contact our Health Services department to discuss your proposal. We highly recommend that you submit plans of the proposed works to ensure compliance.  For more information, see Plans approval service. Note: Accommodation premises must submit plans before proceeding to registration.

Plans approval service

You must complete the following requirements when providing us with plans for a new health business:

• Complete the relevant online application form below.
• Attach one copy of the floor plan of the business. All plans must include specifications and details of surfaces, fittings and equipment, according to our premises development guides. Download the relevant guide below.
• Pay the relevant plans approval fee (Note: this fee does not cover the Public Health and Wellbeing Act registration):
  • Health premises - $219
  • Accommodation premises - $344.75

We will process your application within 14 days of receiving complete plans and specifications.

We will then send you back:

• 1 copy of the approved plan
• A letter with conditions
• Contact details of the responsible EHO

We advise you not to begin any major work on setting up the new public health and wellbeing premises until you receive the approved plan.

Health premises inspections and registration

Our Environmental Health Officer (EHO) will conduct progress inspections during the construction of your public health and wellbeing business or premises to ensure it complies with the approved plans and specifications.

Before opening the public health and wellbeing business or premises, our EHO will complete a final inspection. If the business or premises meets the standards, you can apply for registration with us.

Application forms can be obtained from the EHO at the final inspection.

Registration fees

• Health premises -  $337
• Prescribed accommodation -  $412

Renew your Public Health and Wellbeing Act registration

All registered public health and accommodation businesses or premises must renew their Public Health and Wellbeing Act registration each year. 

The business owner must inform us if details have changed in the last 12 months. You can do this by logging into your private and secure online portal account and reviewing your details. Once you have confirmed your details, the renewal form and payment may be submitted to us using the online portal system. The business will be issued with a certificate for the next year's registration once finalised.

Visit the Renew your food or public health business registration page for more information.

Renewal fees

• Health premises $230
• Prescribed accommodation  $412

Further information

For health guidelines for the personal care and body art industries, visit the Department of Health website.