Permits and authorisations for activities in parks and reserves

Concessions are stands that vendors set up to sell products or services that complement the venue and occasion.

If you want to run a concession business in a park or reserve in the Northern Territory (NT), you must apply for a permit.

You should apply at least 3 months before you want to start doing business. Not all permit applications are successful.

The Parks and Wildlife Commission does not provide permits for Kakadu or Uluru Kata Tjuta National Parks.

For more information about national parks, go to the Australian Government's Department of the Environment website.

What you can apply for

Commercial work is for money or financial gain.

This includes any of the following:

• specialised guided tours
• tours to specific parks and reserves
• on-park commercial activity
• guided bushwalking tours
• guided mountain bike tours
• guided spot lighting tours
• mobile kiosk sales
• restricted area guided walking tours
• restricted area guided vehicle tours
• ballooning tours
• non-motorised canoe hire
• dinghy hire
• guided abseiling and rock climbing
• guided horse and camel rides
• helicopter tours
• tented (safari) camps.

How to apply

You can find out how to apply for a permit to start a:

• parks tour
• mobile food/coffee vans in parks.

If you want to conduct other commercial activities inside a park, you may need a concession permit instead.

Apply online
Estimated completion time: 15 to 20 minutes.

All steps must be completed in one go. You can't save your application and complete it at a later stage.

Make sure you have all of the documents and information listed above before you start.

If you can't apply online, contact the Parks and Wildlife permits office.

Fees

Each permit application costs $300.

You can apply for more than one permit at a time for the same cost.

You do not have to pay a fee if you want to renew your permit.

If your application is not successful, you will get your $300 back.

Special permits

It can take longer than 3 months to get a permit for any of these parks or reserves:

• Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park
• Garig Gunak Barlu
• Barranyi (North Island) National Park
• Territory Wildlife Park
• Alice Springs Desert Park
• Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve - Historic Precinct.

If you are not allowed a permit

If you are not allowed to get a permit, you will be told why.

How to renew

You may be allowed to renew your permit.

See the conditions of your permit and the terms of its renewal.

Contact

Contact the Parks and Wildlife permits office by emailing pwpermits@nt.gov.au or calling 08 8999 4795.

This page has rules for people who want to legally own, import, export, interfere or interact with any protected wildlife in the Northern Territory (NT). 

Protected wildlife means any native plant or animal living or dead. 

It includes parts of an animal such as a skull or parts of a plant such as a seed or flower.

For rules about protected wildlife in parks, go to any of the following:

• animals that do not need a permit
• animals that need a permit
• apply for a wildlife carer permit
• import or export NT wildlife
• permits to keep protected wildlife
• permits to take or interfere with wildlife
• prohibited wildlife
• release protected wildlife form for carers
• wildlife rescue report form.

You do not need a permit to enter most of the parks and reserves in the Northern Territory (NT).

Most parks and reserves in the NT have designated camp grounds where you can camp without a permit.

Find out more about camping in parks and reserves.

When you need a permit

You need a permit for the following:

• to camp overnight outside of a designated camping area
• to enter and camp overnight at Cobourg Peninsula - Garig Gunak Barlu National Park.

Before you apply

Before you apply to get a permit you must understand all the rules and guidelines for safety, comfort and permits in parks and reserves.

How to apply

To apply for a permit, contact the permits office on 08 8999 4795.

After your trip

When you return from your trip you must contact the Parks and Wildlife employee named on your permit to tell them you have left the park and that everyone in your group is safe.

You need a permit if you want to hold public events or similar activities in a Northern Territory (NT) park or reserve.

This includes all of the following:

• concerts
• wedding receptions
• special functions and birthday parties
• public entertainment
• fetes
• demonstrations
• exclusive use of a park or reserve or part of a park or reserve
• any event where equipment will be used such as a marquee, signage, jumping castle or sound system.

A public event is an activity conducted in any part of a park or reserve that restricts access or enjoyment by the general public, whether or not they pay to enter the event.

You don't need a permit to hold a small private function such as a birthday party, unless you want to use any of the equipment mentioned above.

For more information, contact the concessions and permits office of Parks and Wildlife.

Traditional Owner approval

If you want to hold an event in a park or reserve that is jointly managed by Aboriginal Traditional Owners you may need their approval.

Contact the concessions and permits office of Parks and Wildlife for more information.

Security deposits

You may have to pay a security deposit and/or permit fee at least seven days before the start of your event.

If your event causes damage or additional costs your security deposit may be used to repair the damage or cover the costs. You will be contacted before your security deposit is withheld.

Insurance

If you are a club, business, company or association you may need all risks public liability insurance for $20 million or more.

The certificate must be in your or your company's name and span the dates of your activity.

How to apply

When you apply for a permit you must give all of the following information:

• your name and address or the name and address of your organisation
• a description of the event you want to hold
• the name of the park or reserve where the event will be held
• the area of the park or reserve you want to use
• the conditions that must be met by people who attend your event
• the time and days of your event
• any other information you're asked to give.

See information for holding a function at:

• George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
• Territory Wildlife Park
• Alice Springs Desert Park.

For all other parks, fill in the public events permit form:

Public events permit form PDF (180.4 KB)
Public events permit form DOCX (66.1 KB).

Submit your form by email, mail or in person to the concessions and permits office of Parks and Wildlife.

Penalties

If you hold an event or meeting in a park without a permit you may be fined.

If you want to operate a tour in a Northern Territory (NT) park or reserve, you need a permit.

Permits are needed for any type of tour, including guided walks, camping tours, boat tours, horse rides, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tours and caving tours.

Who can apply

You must hold an Australian business number (ABN) and be undertaking a tour activity.

If you want to conduct other commercial activities inside a park, you may need a concession permit instead. Contact Parks and Wildlife if you are unsure.

You must also understand and follow the general park safety and rules and rules for park permits.

Which parks aren't covered

The permit covers tour activities in most NT parks. Special conditions may exist for the following parks:

• Garig Gunak Barlu National Park - Cobourg
• Channel Point Coastal Reserve
• Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park
• Larapinta Trail, including the areas of Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park and Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve that form part of the trail.

If you are planning to operate tours in these parks, contact the Parks and Wildlife permit office.

NT Parks and Wildlife also does not issue permits for Kakadu National Park or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. For information about these parks, visit the Australian Government’s Parks Australia website.

Who can’t get a permit

You can’t get a permit if you or your employees, agents or contractors have, in the past 5 years, been accused of or found guilty of breaking conservation laws such as:

• Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976
• Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation By-Laws 1984
• any laws or by-laws of the NT, the Commonwealth or a state or territory that relate to protection, conservation or management of native species.

How long it takes

The time your application takes depends on the type and complexity of the required permit.

Standard tour operator permits are usually processed within 2 weeks once all required information is received.

If your tour involves non-public areas, installation of new facilities, animals or the use of special vehicles, it can take up to 3 months to receive a decision on your application as it involves multiple stages. This depends on the time it takes at each of the below stages.

1. Submission of a business proposal – parks staff will provide context and site specific advice on this requirement after reviewing your application.
2. Assessment of your application by a relevant board if applicable – this may include consultation with Traditional Owners.
3. Your review and agreement to any recommendations or conditions required for your permit to get issued.

What you need

You will need all of the following for your application:

• names and ABNs for any proposed subcontractors
• copy of your public liability insurance policy certificate of currency with coverage of at least $20 million
• if you have staff, a copy of your workers compensation insurance
• if you're a company, a copy of a company extract from ASIC that:
  • shows the names of the company directors and
  • is no older than 6 months.

If your tour involves off-path activities, non-public facilities, animals or special vehicles, you may also need:

• risk assessments for your activities
• to map the locations you are visiting or upload a map you have prepared.

Fees

You'll need to pay for your application using a credit or debit card before you submit.

The fee you pay depends on if you require a tour operator permit or a concession permit. Tours that involve non-public areas, installation of new facilities, animals or the use of special vehicle, generally require a concession permit.

Tour operator permit is:

• $100 for 4 or fewer park visits
• $500 for 5 or more park visits
• $1,500 for any number of park visits for up to 3 years
• $2,500 for any number of park visits for up to 5 years.

A concession permit has a one-off application fee of $300 if you're not a current permit holder. You must also pay an annual fee and a security deposit. Parks and Wildlife will contact you with more information during the assessment of your application.

How to apply

Go to Territory Services

If you can't apply online, contact the Parks and Wildlife permits office.

Reporting and other responsibilities

As a condition of your permit, you have a number of responsibilities.

Reporting for tour operator permits

You must complete a patron statistics statement. This is a condition of your permit and needs to be completed:

• quarterly - no later than 5 business days after each quarter and
• after your permit has expired.

Reporting for concession permits

The required reporting details and intervals will be specified when you sign off on your permit.

Incident reporting

You must report all incidents that affect your clients and employees.

You must also report events that could harm the environment or put people at risk.

Reports should be made within 24 hours of the incident. To make a report, contact the Parks and Wildlife Commission permits office.

Camping

You’ll need to book and pay for any camping separately. Read more about camping in parks and reserves.

Marine turtle watching permits

Commercial tourism operators must apply for a permit to take or interfere with wildlife before conducting marine turtle watching activities in the NT.

Watarrka National Park safety induction

All tour guides operating in Watarrka National Park must complete a Watarrka National Park safety induction.

Get help

Contact the Parks and Wildlife permits office by emailing pwpermits@nt.gov.au or calling 08 8999 4795.

You need a permit to bring plants into parks and reserves in the Northern Territory (NT). 

You must tell Parks and Wildlife about your activity at least five days before it begins.

You cannot bring weeds into the NT without a permit to use a declared weed. 

Find out more about permits to use a declared weed.

How to apply

You must fill in the introduction of plants permit form.

Introduction of plants permit form PDF (298.0 KB)
Introduction of plants permit form DOCX (101.3 KB)

Submit it by email, fax, or in person to the Parks and Wildlife Commission concessions and permits office.

You need a permit to drive off-road in a park or reserve in the Northern Territory (NT). 

Before you apply to get a permit make sure you understand all the rules and guidelines for safety, comfort and permits in parks and reserves.

How to apply

To apply for an off-road permit you must complete the following steps: 

Step 1. Fill in the off-road permit form.

• off-road permit form PDF (300.4 KB)
• off-road permit form DOCX (105.0 KB)

Step 2. Attach a map or a plan of your driving route and camp sites to your permit form.

Step 3. Submit your forms and map by email, fax, or in person to the Parks and Wildlife Commission concessions and permits office.

When your permit expires

When your permit expires, contact the Parks and Wildlife employee listed on your permit to tell them you have left the park and that everyone in your group is safe.

To fly an aircraft or drone in permitted parks and reserves in the Northern Territory (NT), you may need a permit.

There may also be restrictions on where and when you can fly due to cultural, safety or environmental reasons.

When flying, your aircraft or drone must be airworthy and flown safely according to the law. Read more on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) website.

You also need to follow the rules for flying drones in parks.

Fees and processing times

There is no fee for an operation of aircraft permit.

A commerce and trade permit has a $55 application fee.

All applications may take 5 or more business days to be processed.

Before you apply

With your application, you must include:

• the weight class and description of your drone or aircraft
• your CASA reference or applicable licence number (if you have one).

If you’re a commercial applicant, you must also include the following:

• Australian business number (ABN)
• map or site plan of your proposed location
• details about when and where you’ll be operating
• an ASIC company extract with director names issued within the last 6 months - if you’re applying on behalf of a company
• public liability insurance of at least $20 million
• workers compensation insurance (if you’re required to have it) - find out more on the NT Worksafe website.

If you need workers compensation insurance, you can provide evidence after you submit your application. You must do this before your permit can be granted.

How to apply

You can apply online or by email.

Online

Go to Territory Services

Email

To apply by email, follow these steps.

Step 1. Fill in the relevant application and attach supporting documents.

Operation of aircraft permit application - recreational drone use PDF (575.6 KB)
Operation of aircraft permit application - recreational drone use DOCX (68.7 KB)

Commerce and trade permit application - aircrafts and commercial drone use PDF (587.7 KB)
Commerce and trade permit application - aircrafts and commercial drone use DOCX (71.3 KB)

Step 2. Submit your application by email to pwpermits@nt.gov.au.

Contact

Call the Parks and Wildlife permits office on 08 8999 4795 (Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm) or email pwpermits@nt.gov.au.

You must apply for a permit if you want to operate a mobile food or coffee van in a park or reserve in the Northern Territory (NT).

NT Parks and Wildlife does not issue permits for Kakadu National Park or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. For information about these parks, go to the Australian Government's Parks Australia website.

Types of permits

There are 5 types of permits:

• single event permit – issued for a single occasion
• 3-month permit – issued for weekly operations for the duration of 3 months
• 6-month permit – issued for weekly operations for the duration of 6 months
• annual permit – issued for weekly operations over the course of 12 months
• multi-year permit up to a maximum of 3 years.

If you need a permit duration that is not covered by the options above, contact Parks and Wildlife permits office.

Who can apply

To apply for a permit, your business must:

• sell food or drinks only - no alcohol
• have a registered business name and Australian business number (ABN)
• be registered as a food business in the NT
• be self-sufficient with power, water supplies and waste
• have public liability insurance of at least $10 million.

How long it takes

Applications are processed in 3 to 7 business days.

What you need

You must include the following in your application:

• Australian business number (ABN)
• map or site plan of your proposed location
• your preferred operating days and times
• photo and description of your mobile food van
• copy of your menu
• copy of your food registration certificate
• details about how you will be self-sufficient with power and water including any proposed generator use
• details about how you will manage waste
• risk assessment demonstrating how you will ensure safety and not obstruct patrons, staff, traffic or other activities in the park
• if you are applying on behalf of a company - an ASIC company extract with director names issued within the last 6 months.

Evidence of insurance

You will also need evidence of insurance. This can be attached to your application or emailed to the permits office at a later date.

This includes evidence of:

• public liability insurance of at least $10 million
• workers compensation insurance if you are required to have it - find out more on the NT Worksafe website.

For more information on the requirements, read the mobile food/coffee vans on parks and reserves policy and guidelines PDF (902.7 KB)

Fees

The permits office will contact you to process a fee payment after you submit your application.

Your fee will depend on the area you operate in:

• urban is within a 30km radius of a city or town
• remote is outside a 30km radius of a city or town.

A security deposit of $1,000 applies to each permit, in addition to permit fees.

If you need a permit duration that is not covered by the options above, contact Parks and Wildlife directly.

How to apply

You can apply online or by email.

Online

Go to Territory Services

Email

To apply by email, follow these steps.

Step 1. Fill in application and attach supporting documents.

Mobile food/coffee van application PDF (211.0 KB)
Mobile food/coffee van application DOCX (67.5 KB)

Step 2. Submit application by email to pwpermits@nt.gov.au.

Get help

Call the Parks and Wildlife permits office on 08 8999 4795 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm) or email pwpermits@nt.gov.au.

If you want to develop on a Northern Territory (NT) park or reserve, you must get approval.

Certain rules apply depending on the type and location of your proposed development.

Examples of possible developments can be building infrastructure on a park or reserve such as:

• a building
• standing camps
• adventure infrastructure
• a playground
• resorts
• picnic areas.

Before you apply

Before you apply for approval, read the following documents:

• development framework and investment toolkit PDF (2.6 MB)
• development proposals on NT parks and reserves policy.

It will help you make key decisions about your proposed development.

The framework contains information about:

• what is considered a development
• NT parks and reserves
• application and approvals processes
• references and resources.

The policy provides information about future development proposals including:

• application
• assessment
• other considerations.

More information

For questions or to apply for development on parks, email pwpermits@nt.gov.au or call 08 8999 4795.