Nature-based tourism is a major contributor to the NSW economy. In partnership with National Parks and Wildlife Service, operators play an invaluable role  in promoting our parks and encouraging visitors to appreciate, understand and enjoy them.

The Parks Eco Pass program streamlines licensing and creates consistency across NSW national parks. The program creates measures to maintain high-quality visitor experiences compatible with the natural and cultural environment. 

Key benefits of the program

The Parks Eco Pass program offers:

  • transferable licences if you sell your business
  • up to 5-year licence terms
  • free Aboriginal cultural awareness training
  • promotional support via a dedicated tour page on our website
  • support from a dedicated National Parks and Wildlife Service team.

For more information on whether you require a Parks Eco Pass licence, please read the NSW Parks Eco Pass operator handbook.

Licensing maintains the quality of activities provided in parks and prevents harm to natural areas. If you become aware of an unlicensed activity being run in a park, please report it to National Parks and Wildlife Service at [email protected].

Before you apply for a Parks Eco Pass licence

Before applying for a Parks Eco Pass licence, read the NSW Parks Eco Pass operator handbook.

The handbook will help you understand the requirements of being a licensed Parks Eco Pass operator, including:

  • how you can encourage visitor enjoyment
  • how you can help protect park values and nurture our nature-based tourism and recreation industry
  • general rules applicable to all licensed Parks Eco Pass operators
  • the licence fees and reporting requirements
  • Aboriginal cultural and heritage interpretation
  • different licence conditions that apply to specific activities and areas relevant to your type of operation.

Please also read the Park Eco Pass general licence conditions, the permissibility matrix, and the conditions that apply to specific locations and activities in the Parks Eco Pass activity and location conditions spreadsheet before you apply to become a licensed operator.

Operators must ensure they are fully aware of, understand and can abide by all conditions of their Parks Eco Pass licence. 

Park Eco Pass general licence conditions

These are the standard requirements that apply to all Parks Eco Pass licensed operators, regardless of the park or activity.

Parks Eco Pass activity and location conditions spreadsheet

The Parks Eco Pass activity and location conditions spreadsheet outlines the specific conditions that apply to each activity at each park; for example, limits on group size, access restrictions, required safety measures or seasonal constraints. These conditions help ensure that approved activities are carried out safely and in a way that protects the park’s natural and cultural values. The spreadsheet is reviewed quarterly by National Parks and Wildlife Service Park Operations staff and updated as required. Any changes will be communicated to Parks Eco Pass operators.

Parks Eco Pass permissibility matrix

The permissibility matrix is a reference tool that outlines which activities may be permitted (conditions may apply), not permitted, or not applicable to the park. It is based on each park’s plan of management and helps to quickly identify whether an activity can be considered at that location. The matrix is in the ‘Activity matrix permissibility’ tab in the Parks Eco Pass activity and location conditions spreadsheet.

May be permitted

This means:

  • The activity is eligible for consideration in the park.
  • NPWS may approve if after reviewing the operator’s application and the park’s plan of management.
  • It is not automatic approval – the operator must still meet policy, safety, environmental, cultural and operational requirements.
Not permitted

This means:

  • The activity cannot be approved at that location under any circumstances.
  • NPWS has determined it is incompatible with the park.
Not applicable to the park

This means the activity is not relevant to this park or reserve because the environment or facilities don’t support it.

Apply for a Parks Eco Pass licence

We're looking to work with operators who share our values, are professional and provide great visitor experiences. 

Parks Eco Pass operators who care about our parks play a key role in protecting them for future generations.

If this sounds like you, follow the application steps below.

Step 1 – Pre-application meeting

To discuss your application, including details of activities and locations and what support you might need to start your business, contact us by:

Identify whether your application relates to a park covered by an Aboriginal joint management agreement or the detailed interpretation of Aboriginal cultural heritage. If it does, the approval process has extra steps.

You can also visit the Destination NSW website for a broad range of information and resources available to tourism operators.

Step 2 – Online assessment

Complete the online assessment, covering safety, conservation, important conditions, how to use the licence and handbook, fees and our values.

Step 3 – Business plan

Prepare a business plan in the Parks Eco Pass operator business plan template.

Step 4 – Public liability insurance

Obtain a public liability insurance policy for a minimum value of A$10 million.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water must be named as an interested party using the following exact text:

'The Minister administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 on behalf of the State of NSW ABN 27 578 976 844’.

Step 5 – Online application

Complete the licence application form. You will need to upload:

  • your business plan
  • public liability insurance
  • online assessment result page
  • any other relevant documents.

How long will it take?

Parks Eco Pass licences generally take about 2 weeks to finalise after you have submitted the required documents. Applications that relate to jointly managed parks may take longer.

Please note that you cannot operate in a national park until you have your Parks Eco Pass licence. 

Quarterly reporting requirements now you are licensed

Once you become a licensed operator, you will need to meet the reporting requirements.

Parks Eco Pass operators must submit a quarterly return report no more than 21 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

If you operate tours, equipment hire, picnic set-up or transport services, you must complete tab 1. Selective licence holders, including food and beverage vendors must complete tab 2.

Read your licence to ensure you follow the correct reporting requirements.

Please submit your quarterly report via email to the National Parks and Wildlife Service at [email protected].

Comply with licence conditions

Parks Eco Pass operators must comply with their licence conditions. Licence conditions specify how, when and where certain activities can be offered. There are different types of licence conditions. 

General licence conditions

Activity and location conditions

You must comply with the conditions that apply to a specific location and activity. Your licence will not contain these conditions, so you must refer to the Parks Eco Pass activity and location conditions spreadsheet.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service will notify you if your activity and location conditions are updated.

Penalties for not complying

The penalties for operators who do not comply with conditions are shown in the Parks Eco Pass penalties for breaching conditions spreadsheet. 

Operators must also comply with all laws relating to the conduct of the operations, including but not limited to:

  • the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974
  • the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019
  • the relevant plan of management for a national park, historic site, nature reserve, karst conservation reserve, Aboriginal area or wildlife refuge
  • any other Act, regulation or by-laws
  • plans of management.
Selective licensing

Parks Eco Pass licences do not give you exclusive or priority access to an activity or area in a national park or reserve. However, in some cases, we may limit the number of licences for certain activities or locations to:

  • ensure visitor safety
  • protect cultural and natural values
  • support sustainable park management
  • improve visitor experience.

For more information about the selective licensing process, please refer to the NSW Parks Eco Pass operator handbook.

Renew your licence

Complete and submit the licence renewal form.

You will need to upload:

  • public liability insurance
  • letter of support to conduct Aboriginal heritage and cultural interpretation valid for the duration of the licence (if applicable)
  • accreditation (if applicable).

Please submit your renewal application at least 2 weeks before your licence expires to ensure National Parks and Wildlife Service can finalise your licence.

Amend your licence

Use the licence amendment form to notify us of any changes to your details, activities or locations. National Parks and Wildlife Service needs to approve any changes. Please provide as much detail as possible to help us consider your application and submit this application at least 2 weeks before any proposed change.

How we will support you

National Parks and Wildlife Service may provide promotional support through our marketing channels, including one product listing per Parks Eco Pass operator on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website. We will also support your promotional needs through closer engagement with our key tourism partners including regional Destination Networks, Destination NSW and Tourism Australia. 

A team is available to provide advice and support to all new and existing Parks Eco Pass operators.

Contact us

Phone: 02 9585 6082

Email: [email protected]

  • Two people riding bicycles on a narrow dirt trail through a wooded area. The person in the foreground wears a yellow shirt and black shorts, while the person in the background wears a blue jacket and red backpack. Trees and shrubs line the path, and there is a tree with peeling bark on the left. The setting appears to be during daytime with natural light filtering through the foliage.
    Two mountain bike riders cycle along a section of the lower Thredbo Valley track, in Kosciuszko National Park.
    Credit: Rob Mulally/DPE
    Kosciuszko National Park. Two mountain bike riders cycle along the Thredbo Valley track.
  • Two individuals kayaking on a clear day with a city skyline and bridge in the background, under a blue sky with wispy clouds.
    Two people are wearing sunhats and paddling their kayaks off Bradleys Head near the city of Sydney.
    Credit: David Finnegan/DPE
    Bradleys Head near the city of Sydney. Two people are paddling their kayaks.
  • Two people abseiling down a waterfall, one has just started to descend, and the other is almost at the base.
    Two people abseiling down a canyon.
    Credit: Australian School of Mountaineering
    Two people are abseiling down a canyon in Blue Mountains National Park.
  • A group of runners standing at a scenic overlook. In the background, the majestic Blue Mountains rise, and below them, a layer of clouds stretches out.
    Runners at a scenic overlook at the Blue Mountains National Park.
    Credit: Tony Williams/Blue Mountains Fitness
    A group of runners stand on a lookout platform with the view of mountains and valleys in the background, within Blue Mountains National Park.
  • Two people are enjoying a peaceful paddle in two bright yellow kayaks on the water while a majestic sea turtle gracefully swims below in the Cape Byron State Conservation Area.
    People are paddling 2 yellow kayaks along the water as a sea turtle swims below the surface in Cape Byron State Conservation Area.
    Credit: Cape Byron Kayaks
    In Cape Byron State Conservation Area, a sea turtle glides below the surface. Nearby, two paddlers move their bright yellow kayaks through the water.
  • Two Aboriginal men crouched down while starting a fire. They are painted in traditional custom while a crowd of people watch.
    Two men share the Aboriginal cultural tradition of fire starting with visitors in Sydney Harbour National Park.
    Credit: Flash Point Labs/Tribal Warrior
    Visitors to Sydney Harbour National Park are introduced to the Aboriginal cultural tradition of fire starting through a demonstration led by 2 men.
  • A man in outdoor clothing holding a large fish in front of him, standing in a river with a fishing rod and reel at his side.
    A man is standing in the Thredbo River holding a rainbow trout in Kosciuszko National Park.
    Credit: M. Tripet/The Fly Program
    In Kosciuszko National Park, a person is standing in the Thredbo River, holding a captured rainbow trout.

Related park policies

Contact us

Visitor Engagement and Revenue Branch

Phone: 02 9585 6082

Email: [email protected]