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.

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.

Tour operator information pack

If you have an approved tour operator permit, get the tour operator information pack.

The pack offers advice on how best to promote your product and highlight the NT's beautiful parks and reserves.

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.