Accommodation and tourism businesses

The following types of accommodation premises are required to register with council:

•  Hotels and Motels
•  Hostels
•  Student Accommodation
•  Rooming Houses / Boarding Houses
•  Holiday Camps
•  Residential Accommodation — this includes facilities that provide accommodation for payment where, other than the family of the proprietor, five or more people are accommodated
• Labour hire accommodation.

Generally, these types of premises don’t need registration with council under this Act:

• Private homes used solely as a residence (including self-contained apartments under the exclusive occupation of the occupier).
• A premises in which, other than the family of the proprietor, not more than 5 people are accommodated.
•  Aged care, hospitals, or correctional facilities (regulated under separate laws).

If you are unsure if you require registration, call the Environmental Health Department on (03) 5422 0333, email health@mrsc.vic.gov.au, or view the Public Health and Wellbeing (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2020 for more information.

Before submitting your application to register your accommodation business with council, make sure you have:

•  Confirmed whether you need any planning or building permits.
•  Reviewed the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 to ensure your premises meets the required standards.
•  Prepared a floor plan showing all rooms and facilities - This is required to be submitted with your application.
•  Ensured your premises is safe, clean and suitable for use as accommodation. 

Submit your application

Need assistance? Call (03) 5422 0333.

If you are buying an existing prescribed accommodation business (such as a hotel, motel, hostel, rooming house, or holiday camp), there are important steps you need to follow to ensure you can legally operate under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic).

•  Contact our Environmental Health department before you purchase the business to organise a pre-purchase inspection as this will provide you with a report detailing the condition of the premises. You will need to complete an Pre-purchase Inspection form(DOCX, 169KB) / Pre-purchase Inspection form(PDF, 235KB) and pay the prescribed fee before the inspection can be undertaken. A pre-purchase inspection is not a requirement but it is recommended.
•  Check with the building and planning departments to ensure compliance.
•  Transfer the registration into either your name or the company's name by completing the Transfer of Registration of Prescribed Application(DOCX, 175KB) / Transfer of Registration of Prescribed Application(PDF, 205KB) and pay the prescribed fee.

Once your business is established and ready for operation, contact our local visitor information centres to list your business with both centres in the Macedon Ranges Shire. View our page on tourism business marketing opportunities for more information.

You can also accredit your business with the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program. The ATAP will assess your back of house operations such as business and marketing planning and licenses.

The Centre For Adult Education has a range of short courses related to running a business. William Angliss Institute of TAFE also run courses that may be of assistance.

If you wish to put up an A-frame on Council land, you will need to apply for a Roadside and Footpath Trading Permit.