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Business Friendly Council Initiative

Reforms and resources to improve the approvals process for businesses in Victoria. The Business Friendly Councils (BFC) initiative aims to improve the end-to-end approvals process for businesses and make it easier to start and grow a business in Victoria.

The BFC initiative was developed through the Better Approvals for Business (BAB) program, led by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR). Through the BAB program businesses, industry peak bodies, regulators and State and Local Government collaborated to design reforms and tools to resolve regulatory approvals issues that affect businesses across the State.

DJSIR is currently partnering with local councils to support adoption of the BFC initiative tools, and to develop new tools, including a particular focus on supporting the hospitality sector.

Tools developed through the BFC initiative

Read more about the tools that councils can use to:

Supporting councils to engage with businesses

Local councils are often the first point of contact for hospitality businesses. Councils can share these tools and resources directly with businesses or customise them before sharing to meet specific council requirements.

Providing this information will give businesses a smoother, more consistent experience with local government.

Business Approvals Journey Map - Hospitality

The Hospitality Business Approvals Journey Map helps councils communicate expectations and timelines for hospitality business customers.

Business Approvals Sector Guide – Hospitality

The Hospitality Business Approvals Sector Guide provides high-quality and sector-specific information for businesses wanting to operate in the sector.

Business Approvals 2D visual - Hospitality

The Hospitality Business Approvals 2D Visual provides a visual snapshot of the range of regulatory permits likely to be required to open a hospitality business. This helps councils communicate expectations.

Enhance Council Inter-departmental Collaboration Suite

Best-practice tools have been developed and tested with local councils to help them improve their internal processes. Using these will help councils work more efficiently to meet the needs of hospitality businesses.

Enhance Council Interdepartmental Collaboration suite

The suite provides guidance on how council departments can work closely together to provide a high-quality and consistent permit approvals experience to business customers.

Optimise Business First Point of Contact suite

Supports councils to develop a high functioning and skilled Business Concierge function (i.e. business permit support officer, business permit engagement officer, etc). This function can act as the first and best starting point for local businesses seeking advice on the permits and registrations they need to operate their business.

Optimise Business First Point of Contact suite

Find tools to support your Council’s Business Concierge function to guide businesses through the permit application process.

What’s next?

DJSIR is working with local councils to implement the existing suite of tools and design new ones. As new tools are developed, they will be made available on the CART for councils to customise for their LGA business approvals requirements.

Get involved

If you’re a local council officer and would like to participate in developing new resources, email regulationreform@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

Updated 20 November 2024

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