Register an accommodation business

You must register accommodation businesses. This applies if you are taking over an existing business or starting a new one.

You need to register:

  • hotels and motels
  • rooming houses
  • hostels
  • student accommodation
  • holiday camps
  • residential accommodation.

You don't need to register:

  • houses under exclusive occupation of the occupier
  • self-contained flats under exclusive occupation of the occupier
  • houses, buildings or structures under part 4 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997
  • vessels, vehicles, tents and caravans
  • public hospitals and registered health service establishments
  • retirement villages.

We determine your maximum capacity using information you provide on the number of rooms, room sizes, length of stay and maximum number of guests/tenants.

In addition, if you are:

  • taking over an existing food business, we recommend that you apply for a property enquiry report
  • planning to renovate your business, we recommend that you apply for a fit-out assessment. If officers inspect your premises and it does not meet requirements, you will need to make further rectification work.

How to apply

Prepare your documents

If you are a rooming house operator, you will need a license from Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Apply online 

Apply now

If you prefer a paper or PDF form, please contact us. 

Have your premises inspected

An environmental health officer will contact you to organise a time to visit your premises for inspection.

Receive approval

We'll send you a report advising if your business is compliant or if there are any issues to address before you start operating.

Pay the registration fee

Once we've inspected your premises and approved your registration, we'll email you an invoice for the business registration fee. You can pay this online.

Start trading

We will send your Certificate of Registration via email.

You’re now ready to trade in the City of Stonnington!

Apply now

Cost

4 rooms/apartments or more: $438 plus $57.50 per room/apartment (up to a maximum fee of $4,360)

New business support

Use our Permit Finder if you’re not sure what permits you need.

Our Business Concierge is also available to help you understand what permits you need. Email businessconcierge@stonnington.vic.gov.au or call on 03 8290 1333.

Contact us

Email

health@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Phone

03 8290 3393