Temporary Worker Accommodation Permit
December 7, 2021
As of 1 December 2021, Council has introduced a new Temporary Worker Accommodation Permit to provide local businesses with an additional option to find seasonal accommodation for their workers. The permit allows for local businesses to sponsor an employee to camp at a site with existing amenities for their period of employment between 1 November and 30 April inclusive each summer season.
How to apply
Businesses can email an application to
Please include in the application:
Evidence that the business trades within Colac Otway (e.g. ABN registered within Colac Otway)
Contact details and person for the business
Confirmation the business agrees to the permit conditions
Name and contact details for employee(s)
Proof of employment dates for employee(s)
Site of proposed camping including:
Type of camping (e.g. tent, caravan)
Amenity access arrangements
Statutory Declaration from the landowner they consent to camping and will not charge a fee to the employee
Permit Conditions
Standard Permit Conditions:
The sponsor business is trading within the Colac Otway Shire.
The worker(s) residing in the temporary accommodation is(are) employed at the sponsor business for the duration of the permit.
It is the responsibility of the sponsor business to ensure the temporary accommodation does not affect local amenity and to respond to any amenity complaints arising from neighbouring properties or local residents.
The worker(s) will have full access to existing toilet and shower amenities at the permitted location.
All waste created by the worker(s) in the course of the temporary accommodation will be disposed of using the bin collection at the permitted location. If additional waste collection is required, it is the responsibility of the property owner to request additional bins.
The worker(s) cannot be charged a fee by the landowner or sponsor business for the temporary accommodation under this permit.
Accommodation for the worker(s) must be in a form compliant with Colac Otway Shire Council Local Law No 2 – Part 4 – Section 55.
This permit is valid until the stated expiry date being no later than 30 April, or the conclusion of the worker(s) employment at the sponsor business, whichever is the former.
Special Conditions:
Owners of adjoining properties to the permitted location will be notified by Council of the issuing of this permit and be provided the sponsor businesses contact details for any enquiries/complaints.
If any amenity disputes between neighbouring properties and the sponsor business cannot be resolved to the reasonable satisfaction of Council, Council reserves the right to revoke this permit.
Tourism Jobs Bank
The Tourism Jobs Bank is a new pilot program to ensure the Geelong, Bellarine and Great Ocean Road tourism sector is well positioned to recruit much needed workers this summer and beyond. The Tourism Jobs Bank enables employers to list vacancies and candidates to register their interest. Direct Recruitment will then seek to match candidates to jobs. Candidates will be interviewed and short-listed and you will be offered those that meet your requirements.
Who Can Apply
Tourism Jobs Bank will work with candidates coming through the Tourism Job Bank to support them having basic qualifications if required, and with employers to help support workers across the region to deliver great visitor experiences.
Positions can be located anywhere in the Greater Geelong, Bellarine or Great Ocean Road regions. They will include
Chefs & kitchen hands
Front of house & bar staff
Housekeeping & cleaners
Receptionists & administration
Hospitality and Tourism Managers
Beauty therapists
Fees For Employers?
The fees under the Tourism Jobs Bank initiative will be much lower than the standard cost of using a recruitment agency to encourage employers to provide new staff with on-the-job training.
Employers participating in the Tourism Jobs Bank will pay Direct Recruitment set fees of:
Seasonal workers:
$1500 – to hire one worker
$1,000 – for second worker
$750 for third and subsequent workers
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400