Permits for concession businesses in parks
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.
Types of permits
There are 2 kinds of permits for commercial activities:
Minor concession permits
A minor concession includes all of the following:
- a refreshment kiosk
- tea rooms
- souvenir or craft shops
- small hire operations such as canoes or bicycles
- a safari camp
- a park-based tour such as a caving tour and instruction
- a cruise boat tour and instruction.
Major concession permits
A major concession includes all of the following:
- services or guided leisure activities
- a motel
- a caravan park
- a camping area
- a food outlet that also hires canoes, bicycles
- a luxury safari camp
- guided boat tours.
How to apply
You can find out how to apply for a permit to start a:
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:
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.
Permits and rules about wildlife
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:
Permits for camping overnight outside a designated area
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.
Permits for functions, activities or meetings in parks
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:
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.
Apply for a parks tour permit
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.
- Submission of a business proposal – parks staff will provide context and site specific advice on this requirement after reviewing your application.
- Assessment of your application by a relevant board if applicable – this may include consultation with Traditional Owners.
- 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
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.
Permits to bring plants into parks
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.
Permits to drive off road in parks
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.
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.
Permits to use aircraft and drones in parks
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.
Types of permits
You need a commerce and trade permit to fly a:
- piloted aircraft eg. helicopter
- drone for commercial purposes eg. to sell or promote a product or business.
To fly a drone for recreational purposes, you may need an operation of aircraft permit depending on the park or reserve.
Check the list below. You can also get a copy of this in the schedules for drones in parks policy.
Schedules - drones in parks policy PDF (388.7 KB)
Schedules - drones in parks policy DOCX (18.0 KB)
To get a copy of the drones in parks policy, contact Parks and Wildlife.
Permitted with permit
Park or reserve | Restriction | Reason for restriction |
---|---|---|
Berry Springs Nature Park | Permitted November to March before 9am and after 5pm | Visitor safety |
Elsey National Park | Watch out for other aircraft | Within 5.5km of Mataranka Homestead Airport |
Finke Gorge National Park | No flying from Kalarranga Lookout | Cultural considerations and visitor safety |
Garig Gunak Barlu National Park / Cobourg Marine Park | Must consult senior ranger on where drones may be flown prior to flying | Cultural and residential considerations |
Howard Springs Nature Park | Permitted November to March before 9am and after 5pm | Visitor safety |
Litchfield National Park | No flying within the Wangi Falls area or at Sandy Creek Falls | Within 5.5km of Wangi Helipad and Sandy Creek is a landing site for helicopters, as well as visitor safety |
Mac Clark (Acacia peuce) Conservation Reserve | Permits may be considered | Cultural considerations |
Ruby Gap Nature Park | Permits may be considered | Cultural considerations |
Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park | No flying at Glen Helen Gorge or Finke 2-Mile | Within 5.5km of Glen Helen Lodge Helipad |
Watarrka National Park | Not to be flown over Kings Canyon, the Creek Walk or at Kings Canyon Resort | Visitor safety, cultural considerations and within 5.5km of Kings Canyon Airport |
Permitted without permit
- Adelaide River Foreshore Conservation Area
- Howard Springs Hunting Reserve
- Blackmore River Conservation Reserve
- Manton Dam Recreation Area
- Butterfly Gorge Nature Park
- Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve
- Channel Point Coastal Reserve
- Stray Creek Conservation Area
- Daly River (Mt Nancar) Conservation Area
- Stuart's Tree Historical Reserve
- Douglas River / Daly River Esplanade Conservation Area
- Tree Point Conservation Area
- Bullwaddy Conservation Reserve
- Keep River National Park
- Caranbirini Conservation Reserve
- Limmen Bight Marine Park
- Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park
- Limmen National Park
- Frew Ponds Overland Telegraph Line Memorial
- Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
- Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve
- Anna's Reservoir Conservation Reserve
- John Flynn Historical Reserve
- Arltunga Historical Reserve
- John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve
- Attack Creek Historical Reserve
- Owen Springs Reserve
- Barrow Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
- Ryan Well Historical Reserve
- Central Mount Stuart Historical Reserve
- Tennant Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
- Connells Lagoon Conservation Reserve
- Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve
Not permitted
Park or reserve | Reason for restriction |
---|---|
Black Jungle Conservation Reserve / Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Buffalo Creek Management Area Conservation | Conservation - shorebird habitat and within 5.5km of Royal Darwin Hospital |
Casuarina Coastal Reserve | Within 5.5km of Darwin International Airport and Royal Darwin Hospital |
Charles Darwin National Park | Within 5.5km of aerodrome - Darwin International Airport |
Djukbinj National Park | Cultural considerations |
Fish River Gorge Block | No visitor access |
Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Harrison Dam Conservation Area | Cultural considerations |
Holmes Jungle Nature Park | Within 5.5km of Darwin International Airport |
Knuckey Lagoons Conservation Reserve | No-fly zone |
Leaning Tree Lagoon Nature Park | Cultural considerations |
Mary River National Park (with the exception of Stuart’s Tree Historical Reserve) | Cultural considerations |
Melacca Swamp Conservation Area | Cultural considerations |
Oolloo Crossing Conservation Area | Restricted airspace |
Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Nature Park | Cultural considerations |
Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park | Restricted airspace |
Windows on the Wetlands | Externally managed |
Barranyi (North Island) National Park | Cultural considerations |
Giwining / Flora River Nature Park | Cultural considerations |
Gregory's Tree Historical Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Judbarra/ Gregory National Park (including Victoria River Depot Historical Reserve) | Cultural considerations |
Kintore Caves Conservation Reserve | Conservation - bird and bat habitat |
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park | Cultural considerations and within 5.5km of Nitmiluk Airport |
Chamber's Pillar Historical Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Dulcie Range National Park | Cultural considerations |
Heavitree Gap Police Station Historical Reserve | Private residence |
Iytwelepenty / Davenport Range National Park | Cultural considerations |
Karlu Karlu / Devil's Marbles Conservation Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Kuyunba Conservation Reserve | Adjacent to Pine Gap, a secure area |
Napwerte / Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Native Gap Conservation Reserve | Cultural considerations |
N'dhala Gorge Nature Park | Cultural considerations |
Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve | Cultural considerations |
Trephina Gorge Nature Park | Cultural considerations |
Woodgreen Conservation Reserve | Limited visitor access |
Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park | Cultural considerations |
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens | Within 5.5km of Darwin International Airport |
Territory Wildlife Park Conservation | Captive animals and free-flying birds. |
For regulations on Kakadu National Park or Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, go to the Australian Government's Parks Australia website.
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
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.
Permits for mobile food/coffee vans in parks
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.
Permit type | Urban | Remote |
---|---|---|
Single event | $50 | $50 |
3 months | $800 | $200 |
6 months | $1,500 | $400 |
Annual | $3,000 | $600 |
Multi-year – 2 years | $4,500 | $1,000 |
Multi-year – 3 years | $6,000 | $2,000 |
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
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.
Apply for the use and development of Parks and Wildlife land
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.