Retail and wholesale trade industry
Last Updated: 24 June 2020
COVID-19 affected industries
Victorian COVID-19 restrictions
From 6pm on Sunday 2 August, Melbourne moved to Stage 4 restrictions and regional Victoria moved to Stage 3 restrictions.
Find how to create a COVID Safe Plan and understand how Stage 4 restrictions apply to your industry on the Business Victoria website.
From 11:59pm on Sunday 2 August 2020, all Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live. You and your staff should wear them when at work and also when travelling to and from work. If you don't, you must have a lawful reason not to.
Find more Victorian business COVID-19 information.
COVID-19 support for all Australian businesses
It's important to keep workers safe and limit the spread of COVID-19. You can find the latest information and resources for your industry on the Safe Work Australia website.
If the coronavirus has affected your business, get coronavirus information and support for business.
Business types in this industry
The retail and wholesale trade industry includes:
- electrical and electronic goods
- floor covering
- food and grocery
- fuel
- furniture and housewares
- hardware
- building and garden supplies
- motor vehicles and parts
- personal accessories
- pharmaceutical
- recreational goods
- textiles
- clothing and footwear
The industry also covers non-store retailing and retail commission-based buying and/or selling.
Legislation, standards and initiatives
You must be aware of the laws that apply to the retail and wholesale trade industry.
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Key legislation
Mandatory industry codes & standards
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) guides
Licences and permits
State or territory governments manage the licences and permits for the retail and wholesale trade industry.
The licences and permits you may need include:
- erecting/displaying signage
- playing video/sound recordings
- preparing and/or selling food
- selling and distributing alcohol
- selling tobacco products
- disposal of waste
- importing goods
- zoning permits
- restricted trading days
- handling, storage and use of chemicals or dangerous substances
Industrial chemicals
If you import industrial chemicals, you must register your business with the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme. You will need to pay a registration fee.
Items that could contain industrial chemicals include:
- soap
- cosmetics
- paint
- glue
- printing ink
- cleaning products
Find the licences and permits you need for your business
Search the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) to find information on the licences you may need.
Taxation
The retail and wholesale trade industry have specific goods and services tax (GST) measures. Know your GST obligations and register with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure you can claim your GST credits.
Other tax measures that may apply to your business:
- retailers who import goods must be aware that GST and duty fees apply on imports over $1000
- small retailers may be eligible for tax concessions
Employ people
If you employ staff, you need to comply with Australia’s national workplace laws specific to the retail and wholesale trade industry.
Workplace health and safety (WHS)
All business must comply with general work health and safety regulations. The retail and wholesale trade industry also has state specific WHS requirements. These include:
- occupational noise management
- standards for protective clothing and equipment
- standards for occupational safety signage
- national standard for manual handling
- prevention of burns from hot liquids, surfaces or steam
- prevention and response to workplace bullying
- prevention of workplace violence (e.g. robbery)
- electrical safety
Environment
While retailers do not generally rely heavily on the environment, they can still have a significant impact. The main environmental issues that businesses in the retail and wholesale trade industry should understand include
- state based plastic bag ban
- waste management and reduction
- environmental labelling for electrical products
- recycling
- reporting
- sustainability
Insurance
Alongside compulsory insurances, the retail and wholesale trade industry has specific insurances. These insurances include:
- public liability insurance
- equipment and machinery
- property and buildings
- vehicles
- business interruption
Government organisations
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Federal government organisations
State and territory government agencies
Government industry research
Further advice and assistance
Check our general business information for additional regulations and obligations relevant to your business.
For further advice and assistance, consider contacting your accountant, solicitor, business adviser or industry association.
