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Fixed repair business premises

Requirement for premises to be authorised

The Motor Vehicle Repairers Act 2003 requires each applicant for a motor vehicle repair business licence to operate from premises suitable for the class(es) of repair work the licence is sought.

Premises are ‘suitable’ if they are approved by the Local Government Authority (LGA).

Information to be submitted

When applying for a new Motor Vehicle Repair Business licence, the following information about the repair business premises must be submitted to Consumer Protection about each fixed premises from which it intends to trade:

  • Address of the principal place of business plus the address of each additional place of business from which you operate; and
  • Written approval from the Local Government Authority for each of the fixed premises to be used for the purposes of the licence and details of any special conditions or restrictions imposed by the Local Government Authority.

A letter of authority or confirmation from the Local Government Authority rather than a planning certificate will also be accepted.

If you wish to add an additional premises, you must apply to have any new premises authorised by completing the required form  and submitting it to Consumer Protection with written approval from the Local Government Authority, along with payment of the required fee prior to moving.

You must also notify Consumer Protection when you stop trading at a premises.

Approval from Local Government Authority

A Planning Certificate or written approval from the Local Government Authority is not always required.  For example, you may not require approval if:

  1. the entity was trading as a repair business prior to 1 July 2008 and is still on the same premises;
  2. the entity was trading as a repair business prior to 1 July 2008 and moves to new premises that is an existing repair business and will be carrying out the same classes of repair work;
  3. the entity was trading as a repair business prior to 1 July 2008 and changes the entity structure (e.g. sole trader to a body corporate) but still trades on the same premises; or
  4. a new entity purchases a repair business that has been trading since prior to 1 July 2008 and remains on the existing premises operating the same business (e.g. same name and class/es of repair work etc).

If you have any questions about whether you require approval from a Local Government Authority, please call the Licensing Branch on 08 9282 0600 to discuss your particular circumstances.