Regulations

To operate a tourism business you will need to register your business, company and/or domain name and obtain the required business licences and permits. You may also wish to consider obtaining industry accreditation.

There are many organisations that provide free advice and assistance. This section lists the key requirements you will need to meet. Contact details of organisations are available on their websites.

Business Licence Information Service (BLIS)

The Department of Economic Development’s free Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) provides details of all licences, permits, approvals, registrations, codes of practice, standards and guidelines you may require to operate your business in Tasmania, including State, Commonwealth and Local Government requirements.

Business Names

When setting up your business, you should take legal advice about what form it should take (e.g. sole trader, partnership, company etc.). Once you have made this decision, you must register your business name. If your business is a company you will need to register it Australia-wide through the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. All other business names must be registered in each state in which they operate.

Registering Your Company (Corporation) Name

If your business is a company, you must register its name (such names are usually a name ending in Pty Ltd) with the Australian Securities and InvestmentsCommission.

www.asic.gov.au

Registering You Business Name in Tasmania

The Business Affairs Branch undertakes the majority of business and licensing functions administered by Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading. Forms can be obtained from their website. Alternatively, forms can be obtained and lodged at Service Tasmania.

www.consumer.tas.gov.au

Registering Your Website’s Domain Name

For many tourism businesses today, a website is essential for branding, marketing and distribution. To protect your website’s name, you must register it with the Australian Domain Name Administrator.

www.auda.org.au

Taxation

Before you start operating your new tourism business, you must comply with government taxation regulations. You are required to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN), an Australian Business Number (ABN), Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). You may also be required to pay other duties and taxes such as pay-roll tax and state land tax. The following organisations provide information and assistance with taxation matters.

Australian Taxation Office

The Australian Taxation Office provides essential information on tax issues for new businesses.

www.ato.gov.au

Australian Business Register

The Tax Office’s Australian Business Register is where you can apply for your ABN and register for a TFN and GST.

www.abr.gov.au

Department of Economic Development

The Tasmanian Department of Economic Development’s Business Point provides information relating to taxation. The Department also publishes a useful guide to taxation issues. This guide covers taxation terminology, the taxes that might affect your business and the basics of the goods and services tax.

www.development.tas.gov.au

Commonwealth Government

In addition to the services mentioned earlier, the Commonwealth Government’s Business Entry Point provides essential information about the different types of taxes that may apply, registration, deductions, payments and managing taxation reporting.

www.business.gov.au

Insurance

Many types of insurance are essential to the risk management of a tourism business. Correct and adequate insurance will help you protect your tourism business and minimise its exposure to risk. The following organisations provide information about insurance and risk management.

Insurance Council of Australia

The Insurance Council of Australia provides general information about insurance.
www.insurancecouncil.com.au

Tasmanian State Government Resources

The Tasmanian Department of Economic Development publishes a useful guide to business insurance, Safeguarding Your Business. The guide summaries the basic principles of insurance and provides an overview of the types of insurance you may wish to consider.

www.development.tas.gov.au

Commonwealth Government Resources

The Commonwealth Government’s Business Entry Point also provides information about insurance and risk management.

www.business.gov.au

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation - Risk Management

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation provides an essential guide on the processes associated with developing a risk management strategy for a tourism destination or business and how to implement and maintain these plans over time. It also provides a practical framework from which both businesses and destinations can apply crisis management strategies for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

www.apec.org

Codes of Practice and Accreditation

Australian Codes of Practice Database

The Australian Codes of Practice Database is a free service that provides details about requirements that may apply to your business, including legislated codes of practice, design rules and standards.

http://codes.bli.net.au

National Tourism Accreditation Program

Tourism accreditation is a business development tool designed to establish and continually enhance tourism industry standards. Accreditation provides visitors and the tourism industry with an assurance that you are committed to high quality business practices, procedures, standards and professionalism. Tourism accreditation is industry-driven to ensure the sustainability and best practices of tourism operators in Tasmania.

Gaining Tourism Accreditation in Tasmania

The Tourism Industry Council Tasmania and Tourism Tasmania encourage operators to become members of the National Tourism Accreditation Program, which is open to all new and existing businesses involved in a tourism activity. To receive an information and benefits package, or to ask any questions about accreditation, contact the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania.

www.tict.com.au

Quality Tourism

“Quality Tourism” is a website providing a huge range of information to new and existing tourism operators. The site also contains practical business case studies and information on the tourism accreditation program. Quality Tourism has a key section titled “Quality Systems”, the link below to take you to this valuable resource.

www.qualitytourism.com.au

Star Ratings – AAA Tourism

Star ratings are awarded by AAA Tourism and are an independent assessment of the standard of physical facilities offered by a property.

www.accommodationguide.com.au

Planning and Development

The following regulatory agencies may be able to help you develop an idea into a tourism product.

Local Government

Local government agencies may need to approve any applications for a tourism facility.

www.lgat.tas.gov.au

Note: If you plan to make any changes to your existing business or tourism product it is strongly advisable to first consult with your local council.

Planning Applications

The Local Government Association of Tasmania has a website dedicated to providing information and guidance to help you prepare your planning application.

www.planningapplications.tas.gov.au

Tasmanian State Government Resources

For information on infrastructure and environmental impact assessment, visit the State Government’s Infrastructure and Resource Information Service website, IRIS Tasmania.

www.iris.tas.gov.au

Tourism Signage

Tourism signs need to be carefully designed and positioned to ensure they communicate effectively to visitors without compromising road safety. The Tasmanian Roadside Signs Manual, which incorporates the Tasmanian Visitor Information System, gives you the details you need to comply with State Government’s signage regulations.

www.transport.tas.gov.au

Other Resources

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI)

The TCCI is Tasmania's peak business organisation. It has a state-wide membership drawn from all industry sectors. The TCCI provides effective leadership for employers and delivers a range of relevant and quality services to the business community.

The TCCI can assist you with the management of your business employment statutory and legal requirements, ongoing management and development of your staff and offer tools, tips and templates to assist you to manage day to day workplace issues.

www.tcci.com.au