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Before you start your application
Providing incorrect information
It is a serious offence to knowingly make a false or misleading statement in relation to a licence application. Significant fines apply.
Eligibility
Only people aged over 18 and certain types of body corporate entities (companies, co-operatives and incorporated associations) are eligible to apply for a licence.
You will not be a ‘fit and proper person’ and therefore not eligible to be licensed if any of the ‘licence disqualification criteria’ set out in section 17 of the Rooming House Operators Act 2016 are met by:
- you
- any of your officers (if you are an organisation applying for a licence), or
- any manager you engage to operate a rooming house on your behalf.
For more information, view our Rooming house operator licensing disqualification page.
The Business Licensing Authority (BLA) determines licence applications.
Fees
You must pay the application fee, initial licence fee and any relevant person/s fees when you apply.
For the full schedule of fees, view our Fees for rooming house operators page.
Records checks
You must submit a consent form and certified copies of the required identity documents as part of your application. For more information, view our Records checks page.
The correct documents, properly certified, will help your application avoid delays.
The BLA will conduct checks with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and other agencies to verify your eligibility to hold a licence. Any disputes about the accuracy of the results of the checks will be referred to the ACIC. Visit the ACIC website.
Unlicensed trading
Significant fines apply for operating a rooming house without a licence. For more information, view our Penalties page.
How to apply
You must use myCAV to apply for a rooming house operator’s licence, update your licence details and renew your licence.
The licensed rooming house operator (or responsible person for a body corporate) will need to create their own individual myCAV account to use the system.
To create your myCAV account, you will need a personal email address to verify your identity and sign in to your account.
Individual licences
Start individual application
Company licences
Start company application
For more information, view our About myCAV page.
Required additional documents
The BLA requires the following for each applicant including all officers of a body corporate applicant:
After you lodge your application
Processing time
To avoid delays, please complete the application in myCAV correctly and attach all necessary documents. The estimated average processing time for applications is 35 days.
Additional information
When considering your application, the BLA may require you to provide further information. Communications such as requests for further information will be sent to you in myCAV. Please check the 'Notifications' in your myCAV account.
The BLA may refuse your application if you do not provide this within a reasonable timeframe.
Change of information
If any change occurs in the information you have provided in your licence application, you must notify the BLA in writing using the BLA enquiry form within 14 days of becoming aware of the change.
Sharing your information
The BLA gives your information to:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria
- other law enforcement and regulatory bodies.
These organisations may report any relevant information to the BLA.
For privacy information, view our Information and privacy - Business Licensing Authority page.
Withdrawing your application
You can withdraw your application in writing via using the BLA enquiry form at any time before it has been determined by the BLA.
Please note: the application fee is non-refundable.
Refusal of application
For more information about refusal of licence applications and applying for a review of the decision, view our Refusal of licence page.
Successful application
If your application is successful, you will be granted a rooming house operator’s licence. You can view and print a copy of your licence certificate in your myCAV account.
Once you are licensed, you must notify the BLA (via myCAV) of any change to your licence details. For more information, view our Update licence details page.
For information about your ongoing legal obligations, view our Running your business section and download our Rooming houses: a guide for residents and operators (Word, 612KB).
Term of licence
Licences will be issued by the BLA for three years.
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