Forms and fees for Commercial Activity Permits

You will need to submit an application form and pay the relevant application and permit fee if you wish to conduct activities requiring a Commercial Activity Permit (CAP) in Queensland national parks, conservation parks, recreation areas and state forests.

An activity using multiple tenures and locations (e.g. using a national park and recreation area) only requires 1 application fee. If your application is approved and you wish to make changes after receiving your permit, further fees may apply. Read more about amending an existing CAP.

There are different fees for commercial filming and photography permits.

Applying for a CAP

You need to pay the relevant regulated fees and lodge your application through Online Services.

Register for Online Services or log in to Online Services (if already registered).

Fees for CAP applications (effective 1 July 2023)

Fees increase by Consumer Price Index (CPI) in July each year.

Refund policy

An application fee is payable for a CAP. A single application fee will apply to activities using multiple tenures such as protected areas, state forests and recreation areas. If an application is refused, permit fees paid other than the application fee may be refunded.

Consider making a pre-lodgement enquiry to save time and money.

Complying with CAP conditions

Under conditions of your CAP, you must submit a return of operations and may be required to notify Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) before a visit.

Returns of operations

You must submit a return of operations through Online Services within 20 business days of the end of each prescribed period, including a 'Nil' return if no activity occurred during the reporting period.

Quarterly cycles end on the last day of March, June, September and December each year.

If you request an invoice, this will appear in your Online Services account, under 'invoice'. When payments are received, a copy of your receipt will also appear under 'invoice'. Your return of operations will not appear submitted until both the return and payment are complete.

Failure to pay return fees may result in action to suspend or cancel your CAP or agreement.

Learn more about how to submit your return of operations (PDF, 2.1MB).

Daily site fee exemptions

Commercial tour operators are exempt from paying daily fees for each person (5 years or older) participating in an educational tour approved by the Chief Executive. The number of people, school details and a contact person must be recorded on your return of operations. This exemption includes teachers and supervisors and applies to the following groups:

• Australian registered state or independent primary and secondary schools
• Centres offering the Duke of Edinburgh Award Program
• Scouts and Guides
• Home Education students.

Camping fees and bookings

If your commercial activity involves overnight camping, you will need to book and pay through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service.

Commercial tour operators are eligible for a reduced camping fee of $3.85 for each client (5 years or older) participating in an educational tour.

To make online camping bookings for educational groups, you must open an educational account through the Queensland National Parks camping booking service. If you have an existing account for individual use, you will need to register a new account using a different email address. This will allow you to make bookings at the reduced rate for educational groups.

For all other camp bookings as a commercial tour operator, you must open a commercial account through the Queensland National Park camping booking service – New customer.

For further assistance when opening a new account, contact the QPWS Camping Support team at qpws@des.qld.gov.au.

Learn more about camping fees and bookings.

Commercial activity notification

You must submit a commercial activity notification if your CAP conditions requires you to notify QPWS before conducting activities in national parks, conservation parks, resources reserves, recreation areas or state forests.

Filming and photography notification

If you have a CAP for filming and photography, you must notify the department 14 days prior to undertaking the filming, by submitting the filming and photography notification form.

Learn more about filming and photography permits and fees.

Amending an existing CAP

You must request changes to your CAP through Online Services to the department. Making an amendment to your CAP or agreement will incur a cost. Changes are either considered a minor amendment or a variation depending on the nature of the request. Variation fees will be equivalent to a full application fee for a new permit of the same type.

For more information on minor amendments, variations and fees, read the operational policy – amendments and variations to permits for QPWS managed areas (PDF, 288KB) and information sheet – fees to conduct commercial and recreational activities on QPWS managed areas (PDF, 326KB).

Selling a business that holds a CAP

You cannot legally transfer ownership of a CAP, even if you sell your business.

Buyers will need to apply for a new CAP. There is no guarantee that a buyer will be granted a CAP, even if the business they are buying already has one.

We recommend that all potential buyers conduct proper due diligence and request a free pre-lodgement meeting with QPWS to discuss eligibility.

Also consider...

• Learn more about Commercial Activity Permits for national parks, recreation areas and state forests.
• Read about commercial filming and photography in national parks, conservation parks, recreation areas and state forests.
• Learn more about marine park permits and permits for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.