Accommodation Premises

The Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009 provide requirements for accommodation premises on how to comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Premises are inspected to ensure that appropriate standards are maintained to minimise transfer of infectious diseases. Follow up inspections may be conducted depending on the outcome of any inspections where works need to be undertaken or as a result of Council receiving a complaint.

Prescribed accommodation applies to accommodation facilities such as residential accommodation, hotels and motels, hostels, student dormitories, rooming houses and holiday camps that accommodate five or more people. These facilities must be registered with Council.

If you are starting a new accommodation business you must contact Council for advice on how to comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

If you are purchasing an existing accommodation business, you must complete a new application form(PDF, 132KB). You may contact Council to arrange an extra inspection before settlement takes place. Council requires a minimum of seven day's notice to conduct an inspection and to arrange and issue the necessary registration paperwork. 

Registration of premises covers a 12 month period each year from 1 January, or the date the business commences operation, through to 31 December. In October of each year a renewal of registration form is sent out to all businesses, along with a request for payment of the annual registration fee. This form must be completed and returned to Council along with payment.

If you are renewing your registration, you can do so by completing the online renewal form.

Click here to renew your registration.

Bed and Breakfasts

All Bed and Breakfast businesses that provide food must be registered under the Food Act 1984.

Bed and Breakfast businesses that provide accommodation for five or more people must also be registered with Council under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Council's Public Health Unit will provide details on the annual registration fee payable for a Bed and Breakfast operation.

Please note that any business requiring registration under the Food Act 1984 may be required to maintain a Food Safety Program; based on the types of food provided at the site. Please refer to the Department of Health’s food safety website for details on food classification and a food safety program template.

Hygiene Standards

The control of infectious disease is of prime importance in accommodation establishments. This category looks at housekeeping practices that ensure potential risks for the spread of disease are minimised.

Administration

A guest register must be maintained, which records the name and address of every person occupying the accommodation. The information must include details on the arrival and departure dates of guests. These records must be kept for a period of 12 months.

Water Supply

Your accommodation premises must have a continuous and adequate supply of hot and cold water to all toilets, laundries, bathing facilities, drinking facilities and kitchens.

All water intended for drinking must be fit for human consumption. Tank water is to be adequately protected from contamination by leaves, bird and so forth, and tested at least once a year by an approved National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) accredited analysis.

Waste Disposal

All sewage must be discharged to a reticulated sewerage system or to an approved septic tank system. Sewage disposal must not create a nuisance.

Rubbish must be stored in a sanitary manner using vermin proof receptacles which are to be regularly cleaned.