Western Australia’s national parks, marine parks and conservation reserves are amongst the State’s most popular tourism destinations. They contribute to WA’s sense of place. These parks protect significant landscapes, heritage and cultural values, and are also important in conserving WA’s diverse plants and animals. Annually there are more than 20 million visits to WA’s parks. This page tells you how to obtain approvals to operate a tourism business in WA’s parks.
How to obtain a tourism approval in a national park, marine park or conservative reserve
Legislation:
- Conservation and Land Management Act 1984
- Conservation and Land Management Regulations 2002
Overview
Tourism in WA’s parks is managed and monitored so that the parks retain the natural, cultural and social values that attract people to them and so they remain exceptional places for visitors. Tourism businesses that are approved to operate in WA’s parks have an important role to play. They help visitors to have outstanding experiences of nature, to understand and appreciate parks and in doing so, support their conservation.
Tourism in WA’s parks is managed through licences and leases. Licences and leases allow tourism operations to be assessed, authorised, managed and monitored. These licences and leases have conditions or terms that must be met by tourism businesses operating in WA’s parks.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) grants tourism licences and leases for WA’s parks. Most of these parks are vested in the Conservation and Parks Commission and some are jointly vested and/or managed with an Aboriginal Body Corporate.
Timelines
Show moreLicence applications for tourism activities such as walking and bus tours, such as walking and bus tours, can be processed and approved within seven to ten working days once all relevant information has been submitted through the online Commercial Operator Licensing System.
Some tourism activities require a higher level of assessment or approvals and licence processing time may be longer.
DBCA can advise on the timeframe for applications for a tourism lease depending on the circumstances. More information on the process for obtaining a lease is provided below.
Before you apply
Show moreBefore you make an application, please check the map of national parks, marine parks and conservation reserves to see if your proposed business activities are located in a park.
Stages of application
Show moreIf you wish to conduct a tourism or recreation business operation in WA’s parks, including the supply of tours, adventure activities, transport, information, instruction, supervision, food vending or goods, you will require a licence. You can apply for a licence via the Commercial Operator Licensing System.
If you wish to conduct a tourism or recreation business that involves interactions with wildlife, please email: wildlifelicensing@dbca.wa.gov.au.
If you wish to apply for a lease for a tourism or recreation business in WA’s parks, please email: leasing@dbca.wa.gov.au.
Prepare (what to consider before applying)
Tourism proposals in WA’s parks are welcome. You should make sure that you have the relevant information to attach to your application via the Commercial Operator Licensing System. Licence applications will require:
- A copy of your current public liability insurance with a minimum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) coverage, which includes all proposed activities and locations and the period of insurance.
- Copies of your current vessel SPV numbers and the date of expiry.
- A copy of your accreditation certificate showing date of expiry (if available).
- For abseiling/rock climbing and other adventure activities, proof that you meet the Australian Adventure Activity Standards.
- Promotional material that you might be using.
- If you wish to operate in Mitchell River National Park, please provide a copy of a valid Uunguu Tour Operator Uunguu Visitor Pass registration certificate issued by Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation.
For tourism leases, you will need to demonstrate that you have a viable business case. You should also ensure that your proposal is consistent with the park or reserve and the relevant management plan, which is a requirement for the grant of a licence or lease to operate in WA’s parks.
Lodge and validate (how to lodge and application)
You can lodge your licence application through the online Commercial Operator Licensing System which will step you through the application process. A user manual is available to help you or you can call a licensing officer on 9219 9978 if you have questions.
Assessment (how your application is assessed)
Once received, your application will be allocated to an officer for assessment. The officer may need to do the following:
- Request further information. You may be asked to provide further information or clarify content. Requests for further information will be made in writing.
- Referrals and requests for advice to other agencies. Your application may be referred to another government agency for advice.
- Referral to a joint management body. If your application is for a park that is jointly managed with traditional owners, your application may be referred to the joint management body for that park.
Decision
You will be notified in writing on the outcome of your application.
If approved, you will be informed on conditions you must adhere to.
If refused, you will be informed on the reasons why.
Post decision (what do you need to be aware of post decision)
If your application is approved, you can proceed in accordance with the conditions provided in the approval.
Renewals
Licence renewals for existing businesses can occur efficiently in most cases. Applications for renewals can be made through the Commercial Operator Licensing System. Failure to comply with conditions of your approval may hinder your ability to renew your application once the approval expires.
