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Parks Eco Pass for existing operators

 

NPWS has developed Parks Eco Pass in recognition of the invaluable role commercial recreation and tour operators play, in partnership with NPWS , in promoting our parks and encouraging visitors to appreciate, understand and enjoy them.

Parks Eco Pass streamlines the licensing process, creates consistency across the state, and offers benefits for commercial operators in some of Australia’s best locations for natural and cultural tourism.

Parks Eco Pass offers:

• one licence (obtained through one application process) which will allow your business to operate across multiple parks for all your licensed activities
• a consistent fee structure throughout the state
• increased certainty by permitting the transfer of licences if a business is sold
• lengthened operator licence terms (up to 10 years)
• access to a raft of new, free and/or ‘opt in’ marketing/promotional opportunities to help you grow your business
• a guarantee of service for licence assessment (eight weeks)*
• a dedicated, central coordinator and key contact point
• a streamlined application process.

For more information on the Parks Eco Pass licensing system

• Parks Eco Pass - Information Booklet (PDF, 1MB)

Accreditation requirements

To encourage higher operating standards, obtaining a longer licence is conditional on the licence holder obtaining and maintaining an endorsed accreditation. Relevant accreditation will be a requirement for obtaining a Standard Licence, Premium Licence or Competitively Allocated Licence.

For more information on accreditation please refer to the Information Booklet.

The following accreditation programs currently meet NPWS requirements:

• Advanced Ecotourism EcoCertification Program
• Ecotourism EcoCertification Program
• Nature Based EcoCertification Program
• Green Globe Company Standard
• Australian Tourism Accreditation Program
• Camping with Confidence
• National Accommodation Recreation Tourism Accreditation Program
• Outdoor Recreation Industry Council NSW Accreditation Program
• ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) School Accreditation Program
• Surfing Australia

Other government initiatives to support your business

A raft of free business advice and ongoing support is available to all operators (not just those licensed by NPWS) in New South Wales through Tourism NSW and the Department of State and Regional Development, to assist with product development and marketing.

Follow these links to tap into the support and advice on offer:

• Tourism NSW
• Department of State and Regional Development

To lodge a new application/renewal/transfer

• Before you start, read the application information for pre-application requirements and key licence conditions
  
• Parks Eco Pass application form
• Certificate of currency checklist
• How to complete the quarterly trip return report

Standard licence terms and conditions

Licence conditions specify how, when and where certain activities can be undertaken to minimise impacts on natural and cultural values, manage potential issues associated with other visitor uses, and minimise risks to public safety. All licences will contain general, activity and site specific conditions. Licences can include a number of different conditions:

• General conditions which apply to all locations and all activities, e.g. not feeding, handling or disturbing wildlife 
• Activity conditions which promote safe practices and minimum standards for conducting outdoor recreation activities and which apply to all locations
• Site Conditions which are derived from the specific needs of the park or reserve, the site where the activity is to be conducted and the proposed activity, such as permitted routes and camping sites
• Special conditions which may also be applied to individual licences

Preview a sample of a Parks Eco Pass Licence (PDF, 64KB)

To change licence details

• Tour schedule variation form
  (including tours/activities, guides, instructors or subcontractors)