Transport, postal and warehousing industry

The transport, postal and warehousing industry includes businesses that are involved with: 

• transporting passengers via taxi and luxury car hire services
• transporting passengers and freight by road, rail, water or air
• postal, courier pick-up and delivery services
• scenic and sightseeing transport
• warehousing other storage activities.

Industry research is an important part of planning for your business, it may help you identify:

• economic and industry trends
• establish or improve your business
• help you keep pace with your industry.

See statistics about Tourism and transport on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

It’s important that you’re aware of the laws that apply to the transport, postal and warehousing industry. Key legislation includes:

• Competition and Consumer Act 2010
• Australian Consumer Law (ACL)
• Australian Privacy Act 1988
• Australian Privacy Principles
• Road Transport Legislation
• Australian Road Rules
• Heavy Vehicle National Law Regulations
• Australia's Measurement System
• Regulated infrastructure - by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (including post, rail, airlines and airports)
• State taxi and luxury car hire regulations
• State tow truck regulations.

The transport industry’s individual state or territory codes of practice are outlined on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website.

The licences and permits you may need for your transport, postal or warehousing business include:

• taxi licence
• towing licence
• boating licence
• limousine and luxury car licence
• heavy vehicle licensing and accreditation
• public weighbridge licensing
• local and international trade regulations
• customs licensing
• warehouse licensing
• qualifications to store/transport certain goods or services (e.g. food, waste)
• approval of transport security plans.

The transport, postal and warehousing industry have specific Goods and Services Tax (GST) measures. Know your GST obligations and register with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure you can claim your GST credits.

Other tax measures that may apply to your transport, postal and warehousing business include:

• Fuel tax credits
• Luxury Car Tax
• Personal services income.

Levies and charges fund activities that support the industry, such as:

• building new roads and routes
• maintaining transport resources
• operating related services.

The main levies that apply to the transport, postal and warehousing industry include levies on:

• vehicle permits and licences
• transport facility charges
• road safety
• airport and trade levies.

If you're looking to employ staff, there are Australia’s national workplace laws specific to the transport, postal and warehousing industry that you'll need to comply with.

There are general work health and safety regulations for all businesses, however there are state and territory WHS requirements that apply to businesses in the transport, postal and warehousing industry:

• ACT - WorkSafe
• NSW - SafeWork
• NT - WorkSafe
• QLD - WorkSafe
• SA - SafeWork
• TAS - WorkSafe
• VIC - WorkSafe
• WA - WorkSafe.

It is important to protect your intellectual property when starting and growing your business. ‘Intellectual property’ (IP) is the creation of original ideas, inventions or brands.

You may need to consider a trademark to protect your brand or a patent to protect a new invention, such as new machinery. 

Alongside compulsory insurances, the transport, postal and warehousing industry has specific insurances. These insurances include:

• transportation vehicles and vessels
• equipment and machinery
• cargo and goods
• property and buildings
• business interruption.

If you need advice or support, consider getting help from your industry association, a business adviser, accountant or legal professional.