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Business types in this industry

The transport, postal and warehousing industry includes businesses that are involved with: 

  • transporting passengers via taxi and luxury car hire services
  • transporting passengers and freight by road, rail, water or air
  • postal, courier pick-up and delivery services
  • scenic and sightseeing transport
  • warehousing other storage activities.

Industry Statistics

Industry research is an important part of planning for your business, it may help you identify:

  • economic and industry trends
  • establish or improve your business
  • help you keep pace with your industry.

See statistics about tourism and transport on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

The Australian Taxation Office provides industry benchmarks to help you compare your small business's performance against similar businesses in your industry.
 
Check out transport statistics on the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) website. 

Legislation, standards and initiatives

It’s important that you’re aware of the laws that apply to the transport, postal and warehousing industry. Key legislation includes:

The transport industry’s individual state or territory codes of practice are outlined on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website.

Licences and permits

The licences and permits you may need for your transport, postal or warehousing business include:

  • taxi licence
  • towing licence
  • boating licence
  • limousine and luxury car licence
  • heavy vehicle licensing and accreditation
  • public weighbridge licensing
  • local and international trade regulations
  • customs licensing
  • warehouse licensing
  • qualifications to store/transport certain goods or services (e.g. food, waste)
  • approval of transport security plans.

Find licences and permits for your business

Search the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) to find information on the licences and permits you may need.

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Taxation

The transport, postal and warehousing 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 transport, postal and warehousing business include:

Levies and charges

Levies and charges fund activities that support the industry, such as:

  • building new roads and routes
  • maintaining transport resources
  • operating related services.

The main levies that apply to the transport, postal and warehousing industry include levies on:

  • vehicle permits and licences
  • transport facility charges
  • road safety
  • airport and trade levies.

Employing people

If you're looking to employ staff, there are Australia’s national workplace laws specific to the transport, postal and warehousing industry that you'll need to comply with.

Workplace health and safety (WHS)

There are general work health and safety regulations for all businesses, however there are state and territory WHS requirements that apply to businesses in the transport, postal and warehousing industry:

Intellectual property

It is important to protect your intellectual property when starting and growing your business. ‘Intellectual property’ (IP) is the creation of original ideas, inventions or brands.

You may need to consider a trademark to protect your brand or a patent to protect a new invention, such as new machinery. 

Insurance

Alongside compulsory insurances, the transport, postal and warehousing industry has specific insurances. These insurances include:

  • transportation vehicles and vessels
  • equipment and machinery
  • cargo and goods
  • property and buildings
  • business interruption.

Environment

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has tips for reducing your energy costs in their transport industry sector guide and services industry sector guide.

Find support

If you need advice or support, consider getting help from your industry association, a business adviser, accountant or legal professional.

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