Starting a new business can be pretty daunting and every small business owner will have their own unique journey. We've outlined the steps in the approvals process that all businesses owners need to know for starting a new business. This information can help to guide you through the early stages of setting up your businesses, or alternative the City has dedicated staff on call to assist should you need additional support.   

Business Idea and Planning

Before starting your business, we highly recommend the following steps:

1. Do some background research into the field of business you wish to open.
2. Visit the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) Website and read their 8 steps to start a business, and
3. Read the excellent advice the SBDC provides to assist you to prepare your business plan.

You can also contact these helpful business support services who will assist you with any burning questions you may have:

• Australian Government Business Support
• City of Kwinana Business Support
• Small Business Development
   

Small Business Approval Process

Getting Started

Once you have done your research, and are ready to move forward with an application, we encourage you to contact the City of Kwinana via one of the following methods to discuss what approvals you will need before you finalise your plans.

• By email: Complete the pre-lodgement business questionnaire and email through to customer@kwinana.wa.gov.au.
• By phone: Contact the City of Kwinana on 9439 0200. Our Customer Service Officers will ask you some questions to direct your enquiry to the appropriate Department.
• In person: Visit us at the City of Kwinana Administration Office, Corner of Gilmore Road and Sulphur Avenue Kwinana WA 6167.

Once you have made contact with us, we will determine if you require an appointment with our Planning/ Building or Environmental Health Teams to discuss what approvals you will need before you finalise your plans.

Pre-lodgement Business Questionnaire and advice

The City has developed an easy to use questionnaire for potential Small Business Owners. This questionnaire has been designated to assist us in being able to determine what approvals you may require for your business type. Please complete the pre-lodgement business questionnaire and email this through to customer@kwinana.wa.gov.au.

We will then contact you within 5 business days with details of the next steps required for your small business application.

Self Help Checklists for Common Businesses

We have developed some easy-to-use checklists for common business types (see below) which are all located on our Business Hub.

• Checklist for starting a skin penetration or beauty therapy premises
• Checklist for starting a hairdressing business
• Checklist for starting a commercial food business
• Checklist for starting a home food business
• Checklist for starting a mobile food business

Planning

Planning Application

Planning applications can be lodged via the City of Kwinana’s Online Lodgement portal, or alternatively you can submit your application via email: planning.team@kwinana.wa.gov.au

We have developed some information sheets and forms to assist you to lodge a planning application, which are also available via our Business Hub:

• When is a planning application required?  
• Development application checklist
• Section 40 Liquor Licence
• Application for home occupation
• Home occupation vs home business  
• Development or Planning Approvals

What are the Planning application assessment timeframes?

• Normally 60 calendar days, which may include a request for further information to support your application; or,
• 90 calendar days if any external referrals to government agencies or public advertising is required.

If you require more information, please contact the City on 9439 0200, or via email: planning.team@kwinana.wa.gov.au

Building

Building Application

Building permit applications can be lodged via the City of Kwinana’s Online Lodgement portal or submit a certified or uncertified building permit applications available on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.

• When is a Building Permit required?
• Building Permits

Uncertified application assessment timeframe:

• We allow 25 business days for the City to assess your application; and
• 21 calendar days for the applicant to provide further information if requested by the City.

Certified application assessment timeframe:

• We allow 10 business days for the City to assess your application; and
• 21 calendar days for the applicant to provide further information if requested by the City.

The Building Act allows for the Permit Authority to refuse an application if all required information is not provided within the 21 day period mentioned and the City can retain the application fee.

Notice of Completion

A notice of completion application is available on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.

Building Occupancy Permit

A building occupancy permit application is available on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.

• When is an occupancy permit required?
• Building Permits

If you require more information, please contact the City on 9439 0200, or via email: building@kwinana.wa.gov.au.

Health

Fit out plans for initial Health Application

• An application for assessment of fit-out plans is required for new commercial food businesses. See food businesses for more information.
• An application to construct, alter or extend a public building (Form 1) is required for new public buildings (unless a Building Permit Application is submitted).
• An application to construct or install an apparatus for the treatment of sewage is required for installation of an effluent disposal system. See wastewater for more information.

Timeframes:

• Allow 14 working days or 30 working days if Department of Health approval required
• Additional time for further information request

Health Applications

Different applications applicable based on business type.

• Application - Notification/registration of a fixed food business​​
• Application - Notification/registration of mobile or temporary food business and trading in public places
• Application - Notification/registration of a residential food business​​
• Application Form for Trading in Public Place for Temporary or Mobile Food Businesses with existing registration or notification

See Food Business for more information.

• Notification form for Hairdressing Premises. See Skin Penetration and Hairdressing Businesses for more information.
• Notification form for Skin Penetration Premises. See Skin Penetration and Hairdressing Businesses for more information.
• Application for Section 39 Liquor Licence. See Liquor Licensing for more information.
• Application for Certificate of Local Health Authority - Section 55 Gaming Permit. See Gaming for more information.
• Public building applications - application for certificate of approval (Form 2) and an application for certificate of electrical compliance (Form 5). See Public Building for more information.

Health application assessment timeframe:

• Allow 14 working days or 30 working days if Department of Health approval required
• Additional time for further information request

If you require more information, please contact the City on 9439 0200 or via email: health@kwinana.wa.gov.au

Inspection

Please provide a minimum of 3 business days advance notice to allow enough time to schedule in an inspection by relevant officers before you intend to open your business.

Ongoing Inspections

Environmental Health Officers carry out routine food business and public building inspections on regular basis based on the assigned risk.

High risk skin penetration businesses are also monitored regularly to ensure compliance with the various health requirements. Inspections of food traders are completed for medium and high-risk events.

City of Kwinana Business Support

Are you interested in learning more about business news, workshops and events in the City of Kwinana? Sign up to the City's business mailing list.