Details
- Topic:
- Regulatory reform
- Audience:
- Local government
- Regulatory function:
- Permissions
- Industry:
- All relevant industries
- Document type:
- Guide
- Author:
- Department of Treasury and Finance
- Date published:
- 26 November 2025
The 3-part guides to local laws can help local councils design, review and improve registrations, permits and other permissions.
They have been developed in consultation with councils and offer clear steps for updating local laws. They also highlight examples of better permit processes already in use by councils.
The guides include:
- Local Laws Assessment Guide that sets out alternative approaches to standard permitting that are less burdensome.
- Better Practice Guides that provide specific guidance for asset protection, footpath trading, public protection (e.g., hoardings) and skip bin permits.
- Smarter Permitting Guide that provides general guidance on improving permitting practices.
How this tool can help
The guides can help councils:
- design rules that are proportionate to the risk of different business activities
- speed up approvals and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses
- save time in processing applications and monitoring businesses.
Support to apply this tool
We encourage interested councils to contact us at reg.reform@dtf.vic.gov.au for more information and advice on applying these guides.
Download
Local Laws Assessment Guide
Lower-cost options for regulating business activities.
Better Practice Guides
Footpath trading – top tips to improve your processes, streamline requirements and reduce delays.
Asset protection – top tips to improve processes, streamline requirements and reduce delays.
Skip bins – top tips to improve processes, simplify requirements and reduce delays.
Public Protection (Hoardings and Protective Structures) permits – top tips to improve your processes, manage risks and reduce delays.
Smarter Permitting Guide
Smarter permitting practices help councils reduce costs, shorten approval times, and improve customer service.
Updated