You may need licences to start or run a business in Western Australia. These will depend on your business type, your activities and your location.

Business licences and permits are important because they provide protection to you, your business and any employees; they ensure your business activities are allowed under Australian law; and enable you to trade without risk of fines or penalties.

Common business licences or permits relate to:

• Running your business from certain premises such as your home or a mobile van.
• Complying with specific laws such as taxation, or occupational health and safety requirements.
• Playing or using music in your business – including your workplace, telephone on-hold music, website.
• Doing certain types of work such as operating a food business, working from heights or removing hazardous waste.

How to use the Business Licence Finder

After answering a few simple questions your customised report will be ready to download in about five minutes. It will provide an itemised list of licences etc. you need, details about the agency responsible, costs and how long each licence etc. is valid for.

You can also choose to include information about industry codes of practice that may apply to you. Codes of practice are rules that explain how people working in a particular profession or industry should act. They make it as easy as possible to help business owners understand what they need to do to comply with registration. They are particularly important if you employ staff or have a business associated with health and safety. Penalties may apply if you operate without them.

Use the Business Licence Finder