Accommodation businesses

Accommodation businesses may include:  

• Hotel or motel
• Serviced apartment  
• Hostel
• Student accommodation
• Prescribed accommodation
• Specialist disability accommodation (SDA)
• Rooming house
• Bed and breakfast.

If you’re opening, taking over or changing an accommodation business, you should confirm all applicable requirements before commencing operations. Requirements may include planning permits, building permits, registration with Council​ and compliance with fire safety and building standards.

Registration under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 is only one approval that may be required. Depending on your proposal, you may also need planning and/or building permits before operating. Additional registrations, licences or regulatory requirements may apply depending on the type of accommodation and services provided.  

We recommend that you contact our free Business Support Service or call us on (03) 9278 4444 before committing to a lease, property purchase or fit-out. We can help identify the approvals that may apply to your proposal and connect you with the relevant Council teams.  

The steps below outline the process for obtaining Council registration under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. Additional approvals, including planning and building permits, may be required depending on your proposal. 

Step 1: Apply to establish your business 

If you operate any of the following businesses, The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (‘the Act’) requires you to register with us before you start trading:

• Hotel or motel
• Hostel
• Rooming house
• Bed and breakfast
• Student accommodation
• Prescribed accommodation.

You must comply with regulations to ensure your business is clean and safe.

You must renew your registration and pay a registration fee every year. We’ll send you a reminder when your renewal is due.  

Before you register your business, we recommend you apply to establish it with us. We can help you prepare your premises and services to meet the legal requirements. These are detailed in the 'Requirements for prescribed accommodation premises' guide at the bottom of this page.

Contact us on (03) 9278 4444 to apply to establish your business. 

Step 2: Request a pre-sale inspection if you're buying an existing business

If you plan to buy an existing accommodation business, we strongly recommend you use our pre-sale inspection service before you make the purchase. 

Our environmental health officers will inspect the business and send you a detailed report of any items that don’t comply with the Act.  

Our standard service provides a report within 10 working days. A fee applies for this service.

You’ll need the current proprietor’s consent to release the inspection report.

After we’ve issued the report, it’s your responsibility to negotiate and resolve any outstanding non-compliant items with the current proprietors before you take over the business.

Step 3: Fit out your business

Once we have assessed and approved your application to establish a business, you can proceed with planning your fit-out. Depending on your proposal, you may also need planning and building approvals before commencing works.

We recommend you contact Yarra Valley Water to find out your sewerage and wastewater requirements, and other utility providers to confirm that you meet their codes and standards.

Step 4: Arrange an onsite inspection

After you’ve completed your accommodation premises fit-out, you can book a final inspection. Do this at least one week before you open to the public. We’ll inspect the premises to make sure it meets all the legal requirements. 

Step 5: Register your business

Once we’ve completed our final inspection and you’ve met all the requirements, we’ll give you an Application for Registration form to complete and submit with the prescribed fee.

If your application is successful, you’ll receive a Certificate of Registration by email. An inspection will then occur within one month of being approved to operate.

Fees