Tour Operator and Activity Provider Licensing Who requires a tour operator licence? Fact Sheet June 2018 Private individuals or groups hiring equipment, vehicles What is the purpose of a licence? or vessels on public lands where an itinerary (including a The tour operator licensing system provides a consistent public land destination) or guided tour is not provided as legislative framework for licensing commercial tourism part of the service, do not require a licence. and commercial recreation activity on public land and Public or private transport where an itinerary (including a waters in Victoria. public land destination) or guided tour is not provided as Licensing provides land managers and government with part of the service, do not require a licence. assurances that tour operators and activity providers are: Before applying for a tour operator licence implementing risk management measures associated Prospective licence-holders should contact the relevant with a tour or activity land manager and confirm the availability, terms and conditions of licences for the specific activity in the meeting relevant safety standards proposed location. complying with environment protection conditions. Frequently asked questions Who requires a tour operator and activity Do school groups require a licence? provider licence? No. Primary and secondary schools do not require a A person or business who conducts an organised tour or licence where the activities are conducted by staff as recreational activity for profit on public land is required to part of the curriculum. School groups are required to hold a tour operator licence. follow the Department of Education and Training (DET) Safety Guidelines. However, where schools contract a If the tour or activity is carried out regularly and has a third party to deliver organised tours or outdoor commercial purpose a licence is generally required. – recreational activities on public land, a licensed tour operator should be used. Where a licence-holder engages a third party to deliver some or all of the licensed activities, third parties must Do higher education providers require a licence? also hold a tour operator licence. Higher education providers do not require a licence Who does not require a tour operator and where the activities are conducted by staff as part of the activity provider licence? curriculum. Higher education providers, including TAFE and universities, may require a licence where the activity Organisations that provide a service solely to their has a significant commercial purpose. members (e.g. a bushwalking club that provides a leader), and who do not receive a financial reward over their direct costs, do not require a tour operator licence.
Tour Operator and Activity Provider Licensing Who requires a tour operator licence? Fact Sheet June 2018 What is the purpose of a licence? The tour operator licensing system provides a consistent legislative framework for licensing commercial tourism and commercial recreation activity on public land and waters in Victoria. Licensing provides land managers and government with assurances that tour operators and activity providers are: implementing risk management measures associated with a tour or activity meeting relevant safety standards complying with environment protection conditions. Who requires a tour operator and activity provider licence? A person or business who conducts an organised tour or recreational activity for profit on public land is required to hold a tour operator licence. If the tour or activity is carried out regularly and has a commercial purpose – a licence is generally required. Where a licence-holder engages a third party to deliver some or all of the licensed activities, third parties must also hold a tour operator licence. Who does not require a tour operator and activity provider licence? Organisations that provide a service solely to their members (e.g. a bushwalking club that provides a leader), and who do not receive a financial reward over their direct costs, do not require a tour operator licence. Private individuals or groups hiring equipment, vehicles or vessels on public lands where an itinerary (including a public land destination) or guided tour is not provided as part of the service, do not require a licence. Public or private transport where an itinerary (including a public land destination) or guided tour is not provided as part of the service, do not require a licence. Before applying for a tour operator licence Prospective licence-holders should contact the relevant land manager and confirm the availability, terms and conditions of licences for the specific activity in the proposed location. Frequently asked questions Do school groups require a licence? No. Primary and secondary schools do not require a licence where the activities are conducted by staff as part of the curriculum. School groups are required to follow the Department of Education and Training (DET) Safety Guidelines. However, where schools contract a third party to deliver organised tours or outdoor recreational activities on public land, a licensed tour operator should be used. Do higher education providers require a licence? Higher education providers do not require a licence where the activities are conducted by staff as part of the curriculum. Higher education providers, including TAFE and universities, may require a licence where the activity has a significant commercial purpose.