It is that time of year again. The 2013/14 financial year is drawing to a close and preparations for 2014/15 are well advanced.

The past year has seen a six per cent growth in the number of licences issued. This is due in part to a natural increase, but also several compliance activities, which identified a number of unlicensed operators.

This edition of the LTO news update offers a reminder of trip returns, key licensing dates, licence application instructions and industry events.

Trip return form & use fee payments

A reminder to all operators that conditions three and ten, of your Tour Operator Licence, require you to submit Trip Return documentation and Use Fee payments for all tours and activities on Parks Victoria and Department of Environment and Primary Industries managed land, including state waters.

We remind all multiple year licence holders to submit Trip Return documentation and Use Fee payments in accordance with the conditions outlined above to maintain an active licence (see below information).

Trip Return documentation and Use Fee payments are due prior to 21 July 2014 in accordance with the Regulations.

Payments not received by this date may be required to pay interest on use fees as prescribed under condition 3.6 of your licence.

All operators who nominate to pay the Cap Fee will be invoiced accordingly, but must still provide visitor figures for our records as per regulation.

Please ensure you forward completed Trip Return documentation to your LTO Business Contact Officer or submit documentation with your 2014/15 licence application to theTourism Unit at touroperators@parks.vic.gov.au.

Quarter 1 = 1 July – 30 September

Quarter 2 = 1 October- 31 December

Quarter 3 = 1 January- 31 March

Quarter 4 = 1 April- 30 June

The Trip Return Form is available here.

Tour Operator Fees for 2014/2015 are increasing in accordance with the transition provisions of the Tour Operator Fee Regulations 2011.

The 2014/15 fee units have now been fixed (Victorian Government Gazette – No. S 123 Tuesday 15 April 2014).

The value of the fee unit is $13.24, and the value of a penalty unit is $147.61.

The LTO fees for 2014/15 are as follows:

• Annual fee – Standard one year licence $275
• Annual fee – Standard licence greater than one year = $215
• Use fee – Adult $2.40
• Use Fee – School Student or Child $1.60
• Use Fee Cap $13,488

More information about the transitional fee structure can be found here.

The 2014-15 application form and supporting documentation will be made available 23 June 2014.

A hard copy can be posted out towards the end of June upon request.

To prepare for the licensing period please ensure that you have the following documentation:

• Certificate of Currency (CoC) - Please ensure that all your licensed activities and Interested Parties are noted on your CoC. Refer to the CoC checklist here.

• Trip Return documentation and Use Fees - To assist the licensing process we ask that operators submit the required documentation either prior to or with their application. We will not process your licence application without this information finalised.

• Accreditation certificate – if you wish to apply for multiple years please submit a valid accreditation certificate.

If you are thinking of altering your tour schedule, including adding locations or activities, now would be a good time to have a chat to the Ranger-in-Charge in the area you wish to operate.

To hasten the 2014/15 application process a tick box will be available on the application form for operators not altering their licence. Parks Victoria requires your business details to be filled in to ensure our records are accurate. Please do not attach the annual fee payment to your application. You will be invoiced upon licence approval.

To assist with licensing this year we have prepared a ‘how to become licensed’ document that will provide helpful hints on making licensing easier for you.

If you are unable to reapply for any reason prior to the end of August, please inform the Tourism Unit.

If you no longer operate on Parks Victoria or Department of Environment and Primary Industries managed land, including state waters, please inform the Tourism Unit.

Invoicing for all existing multiple year licence holders will occur towards the end of July. Prior to invoicing Parks Victoria requires all multiple year licence holders to submit the following information:

•  2013/14 Trip Return documents and Use Fees

•  A current Certificate of Currency, and

•  To conduct a business details check – please preview your licence listing here.

• If any of your details have changed please inform the Tourism Unit.

Upon receipt Parks Victoria will issue an invoice for the remaining portion of your licence and a newly generated licence for signing. The annual fee due will be calculated using the following formula $13.24 x 16.3 fee units x the remaining portion of the licence. The fee will be rounded down to the nearest dollar.

Please read the licence and if you agree with the terms and conditions sign the licence and return (scan and email the signed page) it with payment to the Tourism Unit.

The Tourism Unit will then present the licence to the General Manager, Visitor Experiences, for co-signing.

The signed licence will then be emailed back to you. If you require new ID tags or Vehicle Stickers please inform the Tourism Unit.

Key licensing dates

•  23 June – Licence release, web version (hardcopy available upon request)

• 1 July – Licence processing commences

• 21 July – First application reminder notice (email)

• 11 August - Second and final application reminder notice (email)

•  1 September – Licence cancellation letter sent

2014 Outdoors Victoria Education Conference

The 2014 Outdoors Victoria Education Conference will be held on 15-16 June at the Residual Outdoor Schools Association Somers camp on the Mornington Peninsula.

For more information click here.

14-15 July 2014 Geelong, Victoria

The 2014 Victorian Tourism Conference will offer a diverse program of local, national and international guest speakers with a focus on building profitable and sustainable businesses and a resilient tourism industry.

As the only Victorian Conference that is specific to the entire tourism industry there will be knowledge sharing opportunities during networking sessions with many industry leaders under the one roof. Delegates are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and engage with businesses across the state.

Register here.

Parks Victoria's Website – www.parks.vic.gov.au

Parks Victoria's Infocentre – 13 1963