Licensing and Registration

Cooling tower systems are regulated under the Public Health Act 1997 to minimise potential risks to public health. In particular, from exposure to Legionella bacteria.

The registration is issued to the owner of the cooling tower system, who is the person(s) who will have the overall responsibility for the system, including responsibility for any contraventions of the Act.

• Register a cooling tower system
• Vary an existing registration
• Transfer ownership of a registration

Alternatively download these forms:

• Cooling tower system - Registration Application
• Cooling tower system - Registration Variation
• Transfer of ownership
• Cooling Towers, Evaporative Condensers and Warm Water Storage Systems (Specialised Systems) Code of Practice 2005

Community pharmacies in the ACT need to be licensed under the Public Health Act 1997. In addition, community pharmacy licence holders need to comply with the Public Health (Community Pharmacy) Code of Practice 2016 (No 1).

• Information on community pharmacy licensing

Drinking water utilities are licenced under the Public Health Act 1997.

Download these forms to apply for licence or vary an existing licence:

• Drinking Water Utility Licence Application Form
• Drinking Water Utility Licence Variation Form

The Food Act 2001 requires most ACT food businesses to be registered with the Health Protection Service.

• Starting a Food Business in the ACT provides information on applying for a new food business registration.
• Making Changes to an Existing Food Business provides information on varying or transferring an existing registration.

The ACT Public Health Act 1997 no longer declares hairdressing a public health risk activity. Hairdressing businesses do not require a licence to operate in the ACT.

 A new set of public health guidelines for hairdressing replaces the Public Health (Hairdressing) Code of Practice.

The Health Protection Service still hold regulatory power under the Act to address any condition that is, or may become, a public health risk or be offensive to community health standards.

The Health Protection Service will investigate any public health complaints from the community that concern your hairdressing business.

Businesses that perform skin penetration procedures are required to be licensed and comply with the relevant code of practice.

• Apply for an infection control licence
• Vary an existing licence
• Transfer ownership of a registration

Alternatively download these forms:

• Infection Control Activity Licence Application Form
• Infection Control Activity Licence Variation Form
• Transfer of ownership

Infection Control Code of Practice

Infection Control Guidelines

Individuals or businesses may apply for a licence or permit to deal with a medicine or poison under the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008. Information on the different types of licences, as well as application forms is available on the Medicines and poisons licences and permits page.

This form is used to apply for approval to supply syringes under the Public Health Act 1997. Applicants must have completed an approved training program conducted by Directions Health Services.

Apply for approval to supply syringes

Licences are required for any individual or organisation which deals with a radiation source. All radiation sources must be registered.

Information on Radiation Licences

Information on Radiation Source Registration

This form is to be used to apply to install or alter a septic tank under the Public Health Regulation 2000.

Apply to install or alter a septic tank, chemical toilet or sewage treatment plant

Or alternatively download the Application to Install or Alter a Septic Tank, Chemical toilet or Sewage Treatment Plant (PDF)

As part of the ACT Government's commitment to reducing red tape, boarding houses and hairdressing businesses will no longer require a licence under the ACT Public Health Act 1997 to operate.

The Public Health (Hairdressing) Code of Practice has been repealed and replaced with a set of public health guidelines for hairdressing (PDF).

It is important to note that even though boarding houses and hairdressing are no longer licensable public health risk activities, the Health Protection Service retains regulatory powers under the Act to address any condition that is, or may become, a public health risk or be offensive to community health standards. As such, the Health Protection Service will investigate any public health complaints received from the community concerning hairdressing businesses