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Licences are an essential part of running a business in 2025. Ensuring you have the appropriate licences and permits is not only a legal requirement but also a smart way to protect your business and reputation, keeping you compliant with current Australian laws and industry standards.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the licences that certain industries demand, as well as additional legal requirements you may need to know about. For a more complete overview of your legal obligations, be sure to check out our guide to legal requirements for starting a business.
What Is A Licence?
A licence is essentially legal permission to do something. In the context of business, a licence authorises you to operate within a certain industry or to provide a specific service. Much like how a driver’s licence permits you to drive a car, various business licences grant permission to undertake particular activities, provided you meet the designated criteria.
The exact type of licence required will depend on your industry, the nature of your operations, and even your business location.
What Licence Do I Need For My Business?
Different industries have varied requirements when it comes to licences. You can search for the specific licence your business might need here. Below we’ve outlined some common business licence obligations that remain relevant in 2025.
Construction Licence
The construction industry is broad and covers a range of different work, so there isn’t one singular licence that covers all aspects. Instead, depending on the type of projects your business undertakes, you might need to obtain one or more of the following:
- A building licence
- Heavy machinery licence
- Use of land licence
- High risk work licence
Food And Beverages
Food and beverage regulations can vary by state. In NSW, if your business is covered by the Food Act 2003 (NSW), you will need to obtain an NSW Food Authority licence. These requirements continue to be strictly enforced in 2025.
In Queensland, you may be required to secure a food business licence from the Brisbane City Council before commencing operations. In addition to this, registering with your local council is vital – carrying out your due diligence now will help ensure your business runs smoothly.
If you’re considering operating a food truck, note that you will likely require a separate licence for mobile operations. For example, in Sydney, a mobile food vending business permit is mandatory – always check the latest local regulations.
Liquor Licences
If your business sells alcohol and does not fall under one of the exemptions outlined here, you will need a liquor licence. There are different types depending on your business setup – whether that’s an on-premise licence, club licence, hotel licence or special event licence. Discover which is most relevant to your operations here.
Moreover, anyone serving alcohol must have completed a course in Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA). Additionally, if your venue offers gambling services alongside alcohol, completion of the Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) course is also required. Ensuring your staff meet these training requirements is crucial to avoid legal penalties.
Financial Services
An Australian financial services licence remains necessary in 2025 if your business intends to engage with financial products, provide financial advice, participate in crowdfunding, manage investment schemes or handle insurance claims. Additionally, ensuring that you-and any financial advisors on your team-hold the appropriate qualifications is imperative. You can apply for a financial services licence online as part of your regulatory compliance process.
Real Estate
To operate a real estate business, you must obtain a NSW Corporation Licence. Real estate activities typically involve the sale of property, auctioning, property management, dealing with stocks, and managing strata or community schemes. In many cases, you will also need a qualified real estate agent licence – an aspect we discuss further in our other resources on business structure and regulatory requirements.
Hotels
Hotels require a myriad of licences due to the diversity of operations under one roof. If you’re thinking about opening a hotel, you will need to review local regulations to determine the necessary licences for aspects such as:
- Food and beverage
- Alcohol
- Recreational activities
- Safety and compliance
Therapeutic Goods
If your business sells therapeutic goods, you must be registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Their website provides detailed information about which goods can be sold or imported into Australia and outlines the associated requirements.
To become registered, you will need a client identification number – you can find more information on the TGA’s organisation details page. It’s also important to familiarise yourself with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (commonly known as TGA) which sets the guidelines on how therapeutic goods can be marketed.
What Other Requirements Should I Know About?
While business licences are a fundamental requirement for operating legally, some industries require additional checks and security clearances. For further reading on ensuring your business complies with all legal standards, you might also find our article on business legal essentials valuable.
Some industries, particularly those that involve vulnerable groups, require individuals to undergo additional security checks before employment. These might include a Working With Children Check or a police check.
Working With Children Check
A Working With Children Check is mandatory for anyone employed in an industry where they regularly interact with children. This applies to both paid and voluntary positions, and the check examines a person’s criminal history and any workplace misconduct. In NSW, this clearance is valid for up to five years.
Which Industries Require A Police Check?
Many industries require prospective employees to undergo a national police check to verify their background. This is commonly needed in the health, legal, education, and public service sectors.
The police check provides details on criminal history, court orders, or bonds that may affect a person’s suitability for certain roles. In NSW, minor spent convictions do not appear, providing employers with a fair basis on which to assess trustworthiness.
How Long Is A Police Check Valid For?
Police checks are regulated by state laws, so their validity can vary slightly depending on where you are. In NSW, a police check certificate is valid for five years; after that, it is considered outdated, and an updated check must be obtained. Regardless of the state, any relevant legal matters from across Australia will appear on the check.
In addition, maintaining regular internal audits of employee licences and checks is good practice to ensure ongoing compliance.
Do My Employees Need A Particular Licence To Work?
In many industries, individual employees are required to hold their own licences. For instance, construction workers need to hold a white card, while a real estate agent must possess a valid real estate licence. Bartenders must complete RSA training, and staff in financial institutions need to be appropriately qualified. Always confirm that potential hires have met all the necessary licences, checks, and qualifications before employment.
If you’re ever in doubt, our resource on employment contracts can provide further guidance on the legal requirements for your team.
What If My Business Is Online?
If your business operates online, additional legal safeguards are necessary to ensure a secure digital presence. This includes not only meeting general data protection obligations but also having all the appropriate online legal policies.
In 2025, digital compliance is more important than ever. Regular reviews of your online policies and data handling procedures can help protect your business from potential legal challenges and build trust with your customers.
If your business also wants to licence specific Intellectual Property, consider drafting an IP Licence tailored to your arrangement. Our expert IP lawyers are on hand to assist – get in touch today!
Key Takeaways
Running a business in 2025 means prioritising your legal requirements, and licences are a huge component of this. Failing to secure the correct licences and permits can jeopardise your business’s legitimacy and lead to costly penalties, so it’s vital to stay up to date with all regulatory obligations.
To summarise what we’ve discussed:
- A licence gives you legal permission to conduct a specific activity.
- Various industries require different types of licences for both the business and its employees.
- Examples include liquor, building, financial services, and real estate licences, among others.
- Employees may also require specialised training, checks, and qualifications to legally perform their roles.
- Additional requirements such as police checks and Working With Children Checks may be essential depending on your sector.
- For online businesses, it’s important to implement robust digital legal policies like website terms, privacy and cookie policies, and a data breach response plan.
- When dealing with IP, an appropriately drafted IP Licence can control how your intellectual property is used.
Remember, the legal landscape is constantly evolving. Staying informed on legislative updates – from changes in corporate regulations as outlined in our corporation regulations guide to the latest on employment contracts – will help safeguard your business. If you’d like a consultation on obtaining the necessary licences for your business, reach out to us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligation chat.
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