Tour operators

A standard licence is considered the default licence. Any operator can apply for a standard TOL unless a land manager determines that a limited availability TOL is required. The annual fee for a Standard licence is 25.21 fee units ($435.40 in 2026/27). Adult and child use fees also apply.

An operator who offers lifestyle activities for clients who participate on a regular basis, close to their home may apply for a lifestyle licence. The annual fee for a Lifestyle licence is 25.21 fee units ($435.40 in 2026/27). Adult and child use fees do not apply.

Lifestyle activities may include:

• fitness, strength and wellness activities such as running, swimming, yoga, personal training, Pilates, tai chi and bootcamp
• educational and therapy activities such as nature play, non-registered bush kinder or nature therapy, dog obedience training.

Lifestyle activities do not include the use of large pieces of equipment for example surfboards, bicycles, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards.

Repeat clients, as defined in the regulations are expected to undertake the recreational activity at least once per fortnight over at least 6 consecutive weeks.

Clients participating close to home, as defined in the regulations are those who reside within the municipal district in which the activity is conducted.

Pricing indication

• Lifestyle activities are typically priced as packages or have minimum sign up periods such as a school term and are typically priced lower that a single participation session.
• A land manager may request an operator’s pricing structure and decide if the pricing is indicative of lower packaged pricing.
• Where an operator offers single participation pricing and single session participants are expected to represent only a small proportion of clientele, an operator may still be eligible for a lifestyle licence.

Flexibility

• The activities of some LTOs may fall within the definition of a lifestyle licence, however the LTO may prefer to hold a standard licence for lifestyle activities and pay use fees for business efficiency reasons. For example, if they also conduct non-lifestyle activities. A land manager can consider a flexible approach.

At last resort, a land manager can limit the number of licences available and conduct an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to allocate the licences in a fair and transparent way.

This licence can be used by land managers at last resort for any of 5 regulated reasons:

1. environmental reasons
2. cultural reasons
3. to ensure public safety
4. to manage the visitor experience
5. to ensure environmental sustainability.

An operator can apply for a limited availability licence as part of the EOI process by addressing criteria set out by the land manager. The land manager can set the annual fee subject to a regulated minimum and maximum, and having regard to the reasonable costs of licensing delivery.

The minimum annual fee for a Limited availability licence is 25.21 fee units ($435.40 in 2026/27), and the maximum annual fee is 612.37 fee units ($10,576. in 2026-2027). Adult and child use fees also apply.

Limited availability licensing cannot be used for the reason of charging alternate fees or to raise revenue for unrelated purposes.

Organisations providing a service to their members who do not receive financial gain over direct costs, do not need a tour operator licence. For example, a bush walking club who charge a participation fee to cover a leader’s fuel and lunch costs would not need a licence.

You do not need a licence to hire equipment, vehicles or vessels on public lands or waters where a guide is not provided as part of the service.

Public or private transport where a guided tour or activity is not provided as part of the service, do not need a licence.

Yes. Tour operator licensing applies to activities on state waters including inland waterways, rivers, bays and coastal waters, marine national parks and sanctuaries.

This includes Port Phillip, Corio Bay and Western Port, the Gippsland Lakes and Portland Bay. Coastal waters extend to three nautical miles from the Victorian coast. A tour operator licence is not needed if all the activity takes place beyond the three nautical mile limit of State coastal waters. A permit, licence or lease may be needed from the land manager for berthing, mooring and other land-based facilities.

If your tour or activity takes place on water only, a tour operator licence is only needed from the manager of those waters. If you use land for part of the tour, you need to be licensed for both.

You do not need a tour operator licence for land-based activities that are not part of the tour or activity itself. This includes berthing, mooring, ticketing, loading and unloading or transitioning through public land for a short period of time. However, you must seek permission from the land manager, who may still require alternate permits, licences, or leases.

Coastal Crown land commonly has a different land manager from adjoining waters. For most inland waterways and coastal waters, Parks Victoria will be responsible for licensing, either as the manager or on behalf of us. Often coastal land will be managed by a delegated land manager as a committee of management who will grant licences.

You need a tour operator licence to run a cruise if the activity is carried out regularly and has a commercial purpose.

Water taxis and ferries, whether public or private, do not need a tour operator licence where the transport has no tour or recreation activity component. You may need a permit, licence or lease from the land manager for berthing, mooring and other land-based facilities.

No. Tour operator licence exemptions include offshore fishing tour operators.

Coastal waters include Port Phillip, Corio Bay and Western Port, the Gippsland Lakes and Portland Bay and extend to 3 nautical miles from the Victorian coast. A tour operator licence is not needed if all the activity takes place beyond the three nautical mile limit of State coastal waters. A permit, licence or lease may also be needed from the land manager for berthing, mooring and the use of other land based facilities.

If a tour or activity takes place on water only, a TOL is only needed from the manager of those waters. If land is used for part of the tour or activity, a licence is needed for both.

If you offer other activities such as sightseeing, wildlife tours or dolphin viewing, as part of a fishing tour, you need a tour operator licence for those activities.

If you are unsure if you need a licence contact the land manager for advice.

Yes. The marine mammal permits have a separate purpose, which is to permit tourism operators to approach whales, dolphins or seals in Victoria under conditions. You also need a tour operator licence to run the tour or activity.

No. Primary and secondary schools and higher education providers (TAFEs and universities) do not need a licence where staff run activities as part of the curriculum. School groups must follow the Department of Education and Training (DET) Safety Guidelines. Where schools or higher education providers contract a third party to conduct tours or outdoor recreational activities on public land, they must use a licensed tour operator.

Private education/training centres, adult education providers, industry and professional organisations that conduct organised tours or recreational activities (including training) for profit, need a licence.

No. You only need a tour operator licence for regular access to public land for organised tours and recreational activity. If you are planning a one-off event on public land, you should ask the land manager about an event permit.

Different land managers may have different requirements, for areas managed by Parks Victoria visit Parks Victoria events, or events on public land managed by DEECA.

For areas managed by GORCAPA, visit GORCAPA’s Leases, licence and permits.

Vehicle, vessel and aircraft operators need a licence when conducting an organised tour or recreational activity on public land or waters for profit. This includes chartered buses, vessels and helicopters taking sightseeing tours. Where a taxi or ride service (such as Uber) partners with an online travel company offering a tour or activity on public land, the taxi or ride service company or individual are required to be licensed.

A licence is needed for chartered tours or activities satisfying one or more commercial indicators:

• intention to engage in business for a destination or experience, documented as an itinerary (scheduled or on demand) or guided tour
• interpretation or commentary is provided
• intended route includes multiple stops on public land
• providing transport for entertainment or hospitality services on public land or water.

A licence is not required by a charter business where that business has been engaged to transport passengers from one location to another. Check with the land manager to see if other authorisations are needed.

Yes. Commercial outdoor recreational activities are inclusive of fitness, stretch, strength and wellness activities such as yoga, personal training, boot camps, and organised swimming or running.

No. Lessees do not need a tour operator licence for activities covered by the terms of their lease. You need a licence for tours or activities not within the terms of the lease, or outside the leased area.

Yes. You need a licence from each public land manager for where the organised tour or activity takes place. To determine if 2 sets of use fees are payable, talk to both land managers for advice. It will depend on the time and extent of activity.

A licence is not needed to access public land that is not part of the tour or activity itself. For example, an activity solely based on water, does not require a licence to access the land facilitating the water access. However, you may need permission from the land manager.

Step 1

• Familiarise yourself with the types of licences and have an idea about the one that best fits your proposal. Note that the regulations may limit the licence type available and the land manager will determine the appropriate licence type in accordance with the legislation.

Step 2

• Determine the land manager for the area you want to apply for a licence. Parks Victoria issues around half of all public tour operator licences, including all licences for DEECA and Parks Victoria managed land. If you aren’t sure who manages the land, follow the instructions in the question below.

Step 3

• Contact the land manager about your proposal or visit their website to understand the next steps in the process.

Step 4

• Prepare your supporting documentation, including insurance, tour or activity details and a map. Accreditation may also be needed.

Step 5

• Complete the relevant land managers application form. If you are applyi.ng for DEECA or Parks Victoria managed land, go to ParkConnect.

Step 6

• The land manager will consider your application on its merits before granting the licence. They may want to discuss the application further with you. The land manager needs time to complete various checks and work out any site or activity specific conditions.
• Delegated Crown land managers must send the application to the regional DEECA office to seek approval of the decision to grant a licence. For areas co-managed in partnership with Traditional Owners, approval will be sought from Traditional Owner Land Management Boards.

Step 7

• If the application is accepted, the land manager will prepare execution copies of the licence and send them to you for signing. You sign the documents and return them to the land manager with the annual licence fee. The land manager will return the executed section of the licence to you for your records.

If you don’t know the land manager for the area where you want to run your tour or activity, you can use the MapshareVic public mapping tool:

1. Go to Mapshare
2. Select the Layer Themes tab (top left) and click on ‘Public Land’
3. In the menu, untick all layers except ‘Public Land and Reserves’
4. Expand ‘Public Land and Reserves’ by clicking the ‘+’
5. Ensure only ‘Public Land’ is selected
6. Navigate to your area using the map. Right-click the location to drop a pin and select ‘Identify’
7. In the left-hand panel, select ‘Public Land Detailed’
8. Click the land parcel name
9. Scroll to ‘MNG_GROUP’ to identify the land manager

If you cannot determine the land manager, contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 or email LTOlicensing@parks.vic.gov.au for assistance.

The duration of a licence is decided by the land manager, guided by policy. If an applicant is accredited under a recognised industry accreditation program or has a good compliance history under previous licence conditions, land managers can offer longer (multi-year) licences.

Duration of licences a land manager may offer

Under legislation, the maximum possible term of a licence is 10 years. The minimum term is 1 year, even if an operator carries out tours or activities during a limited season. Pro rata terms and rates are not available. Note that licence type can also limit duration. For example, a Lifestyle licence can only be issued for 1 year.

You should confirm with the land manager the availability, term and conditions of the licence before applying. A licence grants a non-exclusive right to use land, so other users are still able to share the area.

When considering applications for multiyear licences public land managers should ensure:

• applications are fairly and equitably considered
• applications to carry out the same activities and/or operate at the same locations are treated consistently
• applicants have transparency to decision-making.

DEECA recognises industry accreditation programs that drive high environmental, cultural and business management standards. New accreditation programs can be nominated for assessment to be recognised by contacting us.

DEECA recognised accreditation programs for longer licences

Public land managers offer consistent licence conditions for efficiency and the benefit of operators.

Licences are structured into general conditions, licensed areas, licensed activities, activity conditions, location conditions and any special conditions. We have a licence template for delegated land managers to use and for prospective licence holders to view as a sample.

We support the Australian Adventure Activity Standard and Good Practice Guides by making it an activity condition of the licence.

The AAAS and related GPGs are the outdoor sector’s good practice framework to manage risk and safety across a range of led outdoor adventure activities. They are based on the best available knowledge and experience across Australia.

The good practice framework comprises:

• the AAAS: key requirements for preparing and delivering all types of adventure activities
• the core GPG: recommended common practices and supporting information for implementing the AAAS across all adventure activities
• activity-specific GPGs: detailed guidance on risk management and good practice for specific adventure activities.

The guidance framework covers risk management planning from design to delivery, identifying and understanding participants abilities and needs, communication, fit for purpose equipment and environments, and selecting leaders with appropriate skills and experience.

Who are the standards and GPGs designed for?

The Victorian AASs, the AAAS and GPGs are designed for use by anyone who is leading dependent participants on outdoor adventure activities, whether this is done commercially, not for profit or in a voluntary capacity.

Are the standards and GPGs compulsory?

The AASs, the AAAS and GPGs are voluntary standards and are flexible to allow users to adapt them to their own context. There is no direct standalone legal requirement to comply.

However, compliance is likely to be required by a land manager as a general condition of a tour operator licence or event permit. The AAAS and GPGs are an important tool for land managers to ensure that anyone who has a duty of care to activity participants is undertaking their activity in a safe and responsible manner.

Insurance companies may also require compliance with AASs, the AAAS and GPGs. Policy holders should check with their insurance provider.

Operators working with schools will need to reference relevant Department of Education (DE) policies and procedures to ensure they meet DE requirements. The AAAS and GPGs complement these with general guidance.

Tour operator licences can be varied either by the licence holder applying to the land manger to request a variation or by the land manager giving written notice to the licence holder. The land manager may approve a variation if they are of the opinion the variation is required. The land manager must  confirm the variation in writing to the licence holder.

Operators are encouraged to discuss proposed variations such as new tour routes with the land manager before applying.

Generally, the term of a licence cannot be extended as licence variation.

No, a standard tour operator licence is not transferable to other licensees or to unlicensed entities.

A licence allows the licensee to access and undertake specified activities on Crown land. It is not a property right that can be transferred between individuals. Private individuals are not authorised to make decisions about who a licence is issued to, therefore licence transfer is not permitted.

What if I am selling or buying a business?

If you are selling your business, you need to contact the land manager in writing as soon as possible to cancel your licence or notify of the sale of the business entity.

Prospective buyers should contact the land manager to confirm licensing requirements before purchasing an existing tour operator business.

A tour operator licence can be issued to either a business or an individual. If the licence is issued under a business name, and someone buys the business without changing the registered business name and continues to comply with all licence conditions, they do not need to go through a full application process. Rather, the business owner can apply for a licence variation to change the contact’s name.

Alternatively, the prospective owner can contact the land manager and apply for a new tour operator licence. Most tour operator licences are not restricted in number, so if you meet licence terms, conditions and insurance requirements, a licence will generally be issued.

Tour operator licensing fees have 2 parts: an annual licence fee and a per-person, per-day use fee. The annual fee is due when the licence is granted. Tour operators must keep a record of the number of persons who participate in tours each day on the form provided by their land manager. This record is given to the land manager on a quarterly or annual basis to calculate the use fees payable.

The fees reflect the need to manage environmental and cultural values and safety issues that arise from nature-based tourism, education and activities. The licence fees allow public land managers to recover a reasonable proportion of licensing delivery costs. Fees are set at a discounted cost recovery in recognition of the health, cultural and educational benefits of activities on public land.

A licence may be issued through a standard application process or through a competitive process when there are a limited number of licences.

2026-2027 fees for a standard tour operator licence

^*. per person per day

For standard tour operator licences there is a cap on the total amount of use fees a tour operator pays each year. If you pay the use fees quarterly, you are entitled to a refund of any excess paid over the use fee cap at the end of the financial year. If you pay the use fees annually you do not need to pay annual use fees above the capped amount.

Lifestyle licences only have annual fees and limited to one year. Fees reflect the limitations placed on this licence class, for operators that providing lifestyle activities to clients on a regular basis, close to home and without large equipment.

2026-2027 fees for a Lifestyle tour operator licence

^*. per person per day

Public land managers may set the annual fee for a competitively allocated licence. There is a minimum and a maximum. It must be at least the amount of the standard one year licence fee. It must also be a fair and appropriate return to the land manager and ensure administration costs are covered.

Use fees still apply for competitively allocated licences and the rate is the same as for standard tour operator licences. A use fee cap does not apply.

The fees must be advertised in a public Expression of Interest (EOI) document. The public land manager may seek a valuation by the Valuer General Victoria or a registered valuer for annual fees greater than $5,000.

2026-2027 fees for a competitively allocated tour operator licence

* per person per day

The requirement to pay fees is set out in 5 sets of tour operator licence fee regulations made under each key public land Act: National Parks Act 1975, Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, Forests Act 1958, Land Act 1958, and Wildlife Act 1975.

The fee regulations ensure public land managers charge consistent fees across the State.

The fee structure was designed with low annual fees to reduce the upfront financial burden for operators and to collect a greater proportion of fees based on use.

The annual licence fee for a standard tour operator licence is fixed to 25.21 fee units, or 19.06 fee units for multi year licences. The use fee cap is set at 1018.74 fee units. The value of a fee unit is indexed annually for inflation by the Treasurer, ensuring the value of fees is not eroded by price increases over time. It is published in the Victoria Government Gazette.

The value of a fee unit for 2026-2027 is $17.27.

The annual standard licence fees and use fee cap are calculated by multiplying the regulated fee units by the annual fee unit value.

A licensee may pay multi year licence fees year by year for the annual indexed amount or upfront calculated at the year of payment.

If you are affected by bushfire, flood or other natural event, or experiencing financial hardship you can apply for a reduction, waiver or refund of fees. First, discuss this with your land manager to see if there are other options for delivering the tour or activity such as a relocation.

You may apply in writing to the land manager for tour operator licence fee relief - see 'how do I apply?'. Only the person who holds the tour operator licence may apply.

Relief can be sought for the annual licence fee, the quarterly or annual use fees, or both. Fee relief can be requested as a waiver, reduction or refund.

Fee relief is automatically granted for any non-commenced year of a surrendered licence.

Fee relief can only be requested for the period of your licence term and cannot be requested in advance of a new licence. Fee relief applications will not be accepted more than 90 days after the end of the period you are applying for.

Am I eligible for fee relief?

You may be eligible for fee relief under the following considerations:

• whether paying the fee causes undue financial hardship
• whether payment of the fee is manifestly unfair
• the impact of a natural or unnatural event on holding tours or activities.

The delegate may also use their own discretion to waive, reduce or refund fees for any appropriate reason.

Multiple licence use fee reduction

The holder of more than one TOL (or interstate equivalent) may apply to each land manager for a multiple TOL use fee reduction. A copy of the additional TOL must be provided. On receipting evidence of the additional TOL, the land manager may issue the use fee reduction as a use fee credit.

A maximum of one discount per land manager can be issued.

Write to the appropriate land manager that issues your licence.

List the subject of your email as ‘Tour Operator Licence Fee Relief Application’ and include the following information:

• Provide a copy of your current tour operator licence(s).
• Advise whether you are applying for a reduction, refund or waiver of fees, and the amount sought.
• Advise the length of time for which you are seeking reduction, refund or waiver of fees, particularly if you hold a multi-year licence.
• Detail the reasons you are seeking reduction, refund or waiver of fees.
• If an application is on the grounds of financial hardship, include supporting evidence. This could be revenue and expense statements.
• Describe any circumstances that distinguish you from other operators.

How will my application be assessed?

The land manager may seek further information from you. The application will be assessed against the legislated matters of consideration and any evidence provided on its merits. It will take time to do consistency checks and go through approval processes.

The land manager will notify the applicant in writing of the outcome.

Land managers have a responsibility to provide operators with advice and assistance to help them understand and meet their compliance obligations.

Land managers are also responsible for monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements and taking enforcement action against non-compliance.

DEECA also has a broad responsibility to provide information and guidance to encourage compliance with rules for tour operator licensing.

Compliance and enforcement action must be carried out by an authorised officer appointed by the Secretary of DEECA under the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987.

Public land managers who do not have authorised officers should contact their local DEECA office for advice.

The following offences and penalties apply to tour operators:

• A person must not conduct an organised tour or recreational activity for profit on relevant public land unless they hold a tour operator licence.
• A tour operator licence holder must not breach the conditions of their licence.
• A public land manager may suspend or cancel a tour operator licence if a condition is breached, provided the processes set out in legislation are followed.

The penalties for these offences are 20 penalty units for a natural person and 100 penalty units for a body corporate.

The Conservation, Forests and Lands (Infringement Notice) Regulations 2023 provides public land managers with powers to issue an on-the-spot fines (Infringement Notices) for the offence of conducting an organised tour or recreational activity without a tour operator licence. The penalty for the on-the-spot fine for this offence is 3 penalty units for a natural person or 10 penalty units for a body corporate.

Fees and fines are indexed each year for inflation, so the value is maintained. The value of a penalty unit for a financial year is fixed by the Treasurer under section 5(3) of the Monetary Units Act 2004.

The value of a penalty unit for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 is $209.10.

A land manager may suspend a tour operator licence if there are reasonable grounds.

The following legislative requirements apply under the relevant public land Acts:

• The land manager must give written notice to the licence holder, including when the suspension takes effect. The maximum suspension period is 90 days.
• The notice must inform the licence holder that they can make a written submission requesting a review.
• Submissions must be made within the period specified in the notice.
• The land manager must review the decision if a submission is received.
• The land manager must notify the licence holder of the outcome of the review.

A public land manager may cancel a tour operator licence if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that the licence holder has been found guilty of an offence under the relevant Act or has breached a licence condition.

The legislation under each of the key public land Acts specifies:

• Before cancelling a licence, the land manager must notify the licence holder of the proposed cancellation and give them an opportunity to make an oral or written submission.
• Submissions must be made within the period specified in the notice.
• In deciding whether to cancel a licence, the land manager must consider any submissions received and notify the licence holder of the decision.

If you would like to report a suspected offence, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.

The current tour operator licensing policy is the Tour Operator and Activity Provider Licensing on Public Land Policy 2026.

Tour Operator and Activity Provider Licensing on Public Land Policy 2026 (DOCX, 5.5 MB)

These tour operator licensing templates are for delegated land managers to use and for prospective operators to view:

• Tour operator licence application template 2026-2027 (DOCX, 713.5 KB)
• Tour operator licence template 2026-2027 (DOCX, 622.9 KB)
• Tour operator trip return form template 2026-2027 (DOCX, 44.4 KB)

Limited availability guideline for situations where it is necessary to restrict the number of licences to protect natural or cultural values, or visitor safety. This may include popular beachside locations with strong demand for water based activities.

In these circumstances, public land managers may grant licences through a public, competitive process or an expression of interest (EOI) to ensure fair allocation of the limited number of licences.

Guidelines and templates are available here to support delegated land managers to run an EOI process:

• Tour operator limited availability guideline 2026 (DOCX, 2.5 MB)
• Attachment A: Template EOI Conduct Plan 2026 (DOCX, 608.5 KB)
• Attachment B: Template EOI invitation and application 2026 (DOCX, 591.3 KB)
• Attachment C: Template EOI evaluation matrix 2026 (Excel, 30.2 KB)