Retail and wholesale trade industry

The retail industry includes traditional sales outlets for consumers and business as well as online retailers and commission based selling. Businesses include:

• electrical, electronic and whitegoods
• floor coverings, furniture and housewares
• food and grocery
• fuel
• hardware, building and garden supplies
• motor vehicles, trailers, parts and accessories
• clothing and footwear
• personal accessories
• pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
• recreational goods
• textiles
• books, magazines, papers and office supplies

Find the latest information about COVID-19 support in your state or territory.

• ACT Government COVID-19 Business and work
• NSW COVID Safe businesses Retail and grocery
• NT Government COVID-19 coronavirus Business
• QLD Government Approved COVID Safe Industry Plans
• SA Health Information for business and industry - COVID-19
• SA Government Create a COVID-Safe Plan
• Tas Government COVID-19 Safe Workplaces Framework
• VIC Government COVID-19 Retail Trade sector guidance
• VIC Government COVID-19 Warehousing, wholesaling, postal and distribution sector guidance
• WA Government COVID-19 coronavirus: Business and industry recovery

You must be aware of the laws that apply to the retail and wholesale trade industry.

The licences and permits you require may vary depending on what you are selling, where you are selling, processes involved in producing goods for sale as well as Federal, State and Local government rules. 

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 and noise restrictions
• restricted trading days and hours
• handling, storage and use of chemicals or dangerous substances

Industrial chemicals

If you import industrial chemicals, you must register your business with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS). You will need to pay a registration fee.

Items that could contain industrial chemicals include:

• soap
• cosmetics
• paint
• glue
• printing ink
• cleaning products

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

Other ATO resources

The Australian Taxation Office provides a range of industry benchmarks which may be of assistance when setting up or managing your business. Visit ATO Retail trade Benchmarks to learn more.

If you employ staff, you need to comply with Australia’s national workplace laws specific to the retail and wholesale trade industry.

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

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

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