What's involved in applying for a conforming concession

Information about applying for a conforming concession (permission to run a business on DOC land for low-impact activities), and your long term obligations.

On this page

• Application process
• Annual commitments
• Application fee
• Independently Audited Safety Plan
• Insurance

Application process

1. You submit your application and application fee payment:

• online - pay by credit/debit card online
• by post - pay by cheque

The minimum fee is $285+GST, but this could be higher if you apply for lots of items from the Conforming Activity Schedule. The application fee is not refundable.

2. DOC processes your application in 5 working days (from the time your application and payment have been received).

3. You receive notification that your application has been processed - either a contract to sign or, rarely, a letter explaining why your application was declined.

4. You supply DOC with:

• A signed copy of your concession contract
• An auditor's approval for your Safety Plan, or proof of Qualmark certification (Safety plan/Qualmark certification)
• Proof of insurance cover to the required level (Insurance)

You can send these altogether or at different times.

5. DOC supplies you with a Concessionaire ID.

6. You can begin operating your concession.

Annual commitments

On each anniversary of your concession start date throughout the term of your Concession:

1. You must pay a Concession Management Fee - $200+GST per year. You will be invoiced.

2. You must pay Per Client Fees:

• $10.00+GST per adult client guided per full day (4 - 24 hours)
• $5.00+GST per adult client guided per half day (1 - 4 hours)
• $1.00+GST per adult client guided per hour or less whichever is the greater
• or a minimum of $200+GST per year for all activity, whichever is greater.

You will be invoiced the appropriate amount.

You will be required to submit regular activity returns detailing locations visited and number of clients throughout the term of your concession. Further details are in the contract.

If you have any questions about what's involved, see Concessions Contacts for details on who you can contact locally.

Application fee

The cost of your concession application will depend on the number of activities/locations (items) you choose from the Conforming Activity Schedule.

The standard application fee is $285+GST for up to 10 items; plus an additional $95+GST for each additional 10 items i.e:

• 11-20 items = $380+GST
• 21-30 items = $475+GST
• 31-40 items = $570+GST, etc.

You can apply for as many conforming items as you like. The more you apply for, the more it will cost you.

Independently Audited Safety Plan

You must have a safety plan for the activities you run. Your safety plan must be audited by an independent auditor. DOC recognises two auditors - Qualmark and OutdoorsMark.

When you have successfully completed the audit, please provide DOC with the approval letter or certificate from the auditor before you undertake your concession activity.

Further details about safety plans can be found at Concessionaire safety plans - Guidelines for applicants.

Insurance

Throughout the term of your concession you must hold:

• Public Liability Insurance for general indemnity of at least $1,000,000
• Fire Suppression Costs Insurance of at least $250,000
• Third Party Vehicle Liability Insurance of at least $500,000

A copy of your insurance certificate must be provided to DOC before you can undertake your concession activity.

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