Ordering, designing and installing an approved sign

If your application for a tourist or service sign is successful, you will be advised on the approved number and location of signs, and sent a list of pre-approved sign designers, manufacturers and installers.

These contractors will provide you with a cost estimate for the approved sign treatment.

Only contractors approved by the Department of Transport and Main Roads are permitted to design, manufacture or install tourist and service signs.

For the design, manufacture and installation of entry statements, applicants are able to seek a service provider of their choice.

Costs and sign type

Costs for different types and numbers of signs, including design, manufacture and installation, can vary significantly. The cost will depend on your specific circumstances. Recent examples given below provide an indication of costs for different sign treatments.

Examples of sign costs

Sign treatmentSize Additional factorsCost
1 small sign 150mm x 1,200mm = 0.18m2 Mounted on existing post $1,200
2 signs in a rural area 700mm x 2,194mm = 1.54m2 Both signs needed new posts $4,000
2 signs in an urban area 4,292mm x 630mm = 2.7m2 and 4,283mm x 600mm = 2.57m2 Both signs needed new posts $7,200
4 signs in a rural area 2 sized 2,100mm x 2,900mm = 6.9m2 and 2 sized 750mm x 3,000mm = 2.25m2 Low volume rural road $20,000
2 stand-alone signs for a high speed motorway environment and 1 large replacement sign 2 stand-alone signs sized 4,000mm x 1,600mm = 6.4m2 and 1 replacement sign sized 4,200mm x 3,500mm = 14.7m2 New posts for 2 signs and full cost of 1 replacement sign to create space for the attraction $48,000
Entry statements Costs associated with entry statements vary greatly depending on the design and materials used.

Note: Indicative costs in the table above are only provided as a guide and are subject to a range of factors that may influence your total signage costs.

Factors influencing sign costs

  • Posted speed limit of the roads
  • Signage required on a motorway or a standard road
  • Size of approved sign
  • Intersection/interchange configuration and size/location/number of existing signs
  • If the new sign is a stand-alone sign or a plate to an existing sign
  • If the existing sign face can support a new plate, or requires a completely new design
  • Terrain and environmental conditions
  • Offset from the road and type of footings and/or posts required
  • Geometry of the road (e.g. mountainous road with winding alignments, where it may be necessary to install additional advance signage in addition to signage at the entrance)
  • The extent of traffic control and lane closures required (e.g. whether the work can be done during the day or night)

You may also need to apply to your local council for signs to direct visitors around the local road network.

Wording and details

Sign wording will be kept to a minimum. You may be encouraged to use a standard tourist attraction symbol that adequately describes your attraction.

Ordering signs

Once you receive an 'approval in principle' notice, follow these steps to order signs and have them installed.

Step 1: Select designers, manufacturers and installers

To order signs, you will need to:

  • source quotes and select service providers from the pre-approved list, provided by Transport and Main Roads
  • brief and request a design scheme from the service provider.

Read section 2 of the Tourist and service signs guideline for more information on ordering signs.

Step 2: Submit a design scheme to Transport and Main Roads for approval

The design scheme you submit to DTMR must include the:

  • sign face and sign structure designs details, final sign locations and clearance heights
  • preferred service provider
  • road and corridor permit form, confirming sign location and clearance heights.

Read section 2 of the Tourist and service signs guideline for more information on design scheme.

Step 3: Approve sign manufacturing and installation

Once you have approval to proceed, you can ask your sign manufacturer and installer to proceed.

The sign installer will be required to:

  • lodge a road corridor permit application to perform works on state-controlled roads and the time frame for installation
  • attend an inspection with a Transport and Main Roads inspector, following installation
  • rectify any problems found by the Transport and Main Roads inspector.

Read section 2 of the Tourist and service signs guideline for more information about sign manufacturing and installation.

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