What is a home-based business?
A home-based business in Australia is a small-scale enterprise where a residential dwelling or its surrounding land serves as the primary place of business.
All home-based businesses are carried out by a resident of the dwelling and must be carried out within the premises of the dwelling. It must not adversely affect the amenity of the surrounding locality.
Common examples of home-based businesses include, but are not limited to, hair and beauty services, cake making and massage therapy.
What approvals do you need?
As a guide, the following approvals are typically required if you are intending to operate a home-based business:
| Business type | Home office | Home occupation | Home business | Rural home business |
| Employees | No employees | Does not employ anyone not a member of the occupier’s household | Does not employ more than two people not members of the occupier’s household | Does not employ more than two people not members of the occupier’s household |
| Area used | n/a | Does not occupy an area greater than 20m2 | Does not occupy an area greater than 50m2 | Does not occupy an area greater than 200m2 |
| Effect on neighbourhood | Will not adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood | Will not adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood | Will not adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood | Will not adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood |
| Customer/client Interaction | No clients or customers travelling to or from the dwelling | Does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature, except for internet and/or postal transactions | Does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature, except for internet and/or postal transactions | Does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature, except for internet and/or postal transactions. |
Don’t fit into one of the above categories? Contact us.
Home office or home occupation
You can operate a home office or home occupation without development approval under the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.
The Shire must be notified within seven days of the home office or home occupation commencing operation, that it is exempt from the need for development approval. To confirm an exemption, please complete an exemption letter and send to Planning Services.
If you have any questions about the above, please contact us.
Home business or rural home business
Development Approval is required to operate your Home Business or Rural Home Business.
To apply please submit the following to Planning Services:
- Application for Development Approval and Supplementary Form – Home Business
- Copy of Certificate of Title
- Site Plan, which shows the following:
- The location of onsite vehicle parking
- Access to the development.
- Floor Plans of any building proposed to be utilised as part of the development.
If you have any questions about the above, please contact us.
A Building Permit is required for most building work, including new buildings and alterations such as installing doors, windows, walls or additions/extensions and patio, carport, shed or the like.
Building Regulations 2012 provide exemptions for when a Building permit is not required under Schedule 4 Clause 2.
If the value of the work exceeds $20,000, the permit must be issued to a registered builder or an approved owner-builder.
Owner-builders must first obtain approval from Building & Energy WA before applying for a Building Permit from the Shire.
To apply for approval from the Building & Energy WA, click here.
If you require a building permit, visit the following link for further information:
Building applications and forms
For more information please contact us.
Food business
Health approval is required to prepare food from a home kitchen for sale to the public, and an authorised officer will assess whether the premises are suitable for this purpose.
Generally, only low-risk foods may be prepared in a domestic kitchen, with other food types considered on a case-by-case basis through a written application.
If food production is large-scale, even for low-risk products, the use of a separate commercial kitchen may be required.
Please submit the following forms to Environmental Health Services:
Notification/registration for food business
Application to construct or alter a food business
A one-off registration fee applies.
An annual risk assessment fee contingent upon the risk classification of the food business applies.
For more information, please contact us.
Hairdressing
Hairdressing procedures such as hair cutting present a very low risk to public health, as they do not involve skin penetration and the transmission of blood borne infections is unlikely.
Basic hygiene practices—such as handwashing, keeping the premises clean, and cleaning instruments between clients—are sufficient to manage risks, including head lice.
Minor cuts can be easily managed through proper cleaning and disinfection, while higher-risk procedures like cut-throat razor use or beauty therapy are regulated under separate skin penetration laws.
Please submit the following forms to Environmental Health Services:
Hair beauty and skin penetration application
A one-off registration fee applies.
Hairdressing and skin penetration operators must comply with legislation and meet minimum infection control standards, including basic hygiene, disinfection and sterilisation.
Owners who fail to comply may be fined up to $1,000, plus daily penalties. Environmental Health Officers may inspect these businesses to ensure health and hygiene standards are being followed.
For more information, please contact us.
Beauty and skin businesses
A skin penetration procedure is any procedure that involves the tearing, cutting, puncturing or shaving of the skin and includes services such as:
- acupuncture
- beauty treatments (such as waxing)
- body piercing
- cosmetic enhancements
- tattooing
Infection prevention and control is important so that you do not transmit a disease or infection to yourself or your clients. The skin penetration legislation and Code of Practice helps those involved in these industries to comply with requirements in the:
Health (Skin Penetration Procedures) Regulations 1998
Code of Practice for Skin Penetration Procedures
Please submit the following forms to tEnvironmental Health Services:
Hair beauty and skin penetration application
A one-off registration fee applies.
Hairdressing and skin penetration operators must comply with legislation and meet minimum infection control standards, including basic hygiene, disinfection and sterilisation.
Owners who fail to comply may be fined up to $1,000, plus daily penalties. Environmental Health Officers may inspect these businesses to ensure health and hygiene standards are being followed.
For further advice:
Guide to cleaning and disinfecting equipment for the body art, beauty and nail industries
Skin penetration procedures and the law
Using ear and nose piercing guns
Advice for the beauty therapy industry
For more information, please contact us.
Before starting operations, an inspection is required to ensure the premises meets the required standards.
When you are ready to commence, contact the Environmental Health Services to arrange an inspection and allow at least 48 hours for scheduling.
Inspections will continue once the business is operating to ensure standards are maintained.
Once you have all the required approvals, you’re ready to start operating and promoting your business. There are a range of organisations that can support you to manage and grow your business, including:
Small Business Development Corporation
Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry
South-West Development Commission
Business South West (BSW) Connect
Please contact our Harvey Region team to secure a free listing on the Harvey Region website.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Shire of Harvey acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.