How to apply for a medicinal cannabis licence (body corporate)
This guide explains how to apply for a medicinal cannabis licence as a body corporate using ODC Business Services.
This guide explains how a body corporate can apply for a medicinal cannabis licence through ODC Business Services.
A medicinal cannabis licence authorises eligible organisations to cultivate, produce or manufacture medicinal cannabis and cannabis-related products in Australia, subject to licence conditions and regulatory requirements.
Lodgement of an application is not approval to conduct activities involving cannabis or cannabis material.
Before you start
Before starting your application, make sure you:
- understand the medicinal cannabis licensing requirements
- have the information and documents needed to support your application
- know who will be responsible for activities conducted under the licence
- have identified your proposed site and activities
- have considered how you will meet security requirements.
Having this information ready will make it easier to complete your application.
Step 1: Sign in to ODC Business Services
Sign in to ODC Business Services using your organisation's account.
If your organisation is not already set up in ODC Business Services, you will need to create an account and add the appropriate organisation contacts before you can apply.
Step 2: Start a new application
From the dashboard:
- Select Apply for a licence.
- Choose Medicinal cannabis licence.
- Select Body corporate as the applicant type.
- Start a new application.
You can save your application and return to it at any time before submitting it.
Step 3: Enter applicant details
Provide information about the applicant company, including:
- legal entity name
- ACN and ABN (if applicable)
- registered business address
- contact details
- company ownership and structure.
You may also need to provide information about related entities and major shareholders.
Step 4: Enter details of business associates
Provide details of people and entities associated with the business, such as:
- directors
- company secretaries
- executive officers
- major shareholders
- parent companies
- other business associates.
You must also identify the people responsible for managing activities conducted under the licence.
Fit and proper person requirements
The ODC assesses relevant people against fit and proper person requirements.
You may need to provide information about:
- criminal history
- regulatory compliance history
- employment history
- financial circumstances
- other business interests.
Step 5: Provide site information
Enter details about the site where activities will take place, including:
- site address
- ownership or leasing arrangements
- proposed activities
- site layout and infrastructure.
If you will operate from more than one location, provide details for each site.
Step 6: Describe your security arrangements
Enter details about your proposed site, including:
- the site address or location
- the size of the property and secured area
- land zoning
- ownership, lease or occupancy arrangements
- authorised persons responsible for activities at the site.
You will also need to describe:
- the activities you plan to conduct at the site
- why the site is suitable for those activities
- any other businesses or activities operating at the location
- buildings, infrastructure and facilities that will be used.
Security arrangements
Describe the measures you will use to secure cannabis materials and prevent unauthorised access. This may include:
- perimeter fencing and gates
- CCTV and alarm systems
- access controls
- secure storage areas, safes or vaults
- transport and disposal procedures
- measures to detect and respond to loss or theft.
Your security arrangements must meet the requirements in the Guideline: Security of Medicinal Cannabis.
Supporting documents
Upload supporting documents, including:
- evidence of site ownership, lease or occupancy arrangements
- a satellite image of the site
- site plans and floor plans
- relevant licences or approvals
- security policies or standard operating procedures.
Provide enough information to show that the site is suitable, secure and capable of supporting the proposed activities.
Step 7: Provide financial information
You must demonstrate that your organisation has sufficient financial resources to undertake the proposed activities.
You may need to provide:
- audited financial statements
- bank statements
- funding agreements
- investor information
- business plans
- other evidence of available funding.
Step 8: Upload supporting documents
Upload any documents needed to support your application, such as:
- company and financial records
- site and floor plans
- security documents
- organisational or governance documents.
Make sure your documents are current, complete and clearly labelled.
Emergency services
Describe how you will work with emergency services, such as police and fire services, if there is a loss, theft, disposal or destruction of cannabis materials.
Employment arrangements
Explain how you will:
- check that staff are suitable before they are employed or engaged
- ensure staff continue to meet suitability requirements over time.
Additional information
You can provide any other information that supports your application.
You may leave this section blank if it does not apply.
Non-commercial research
If your proposed activities are for non-commercial medical or scientific research, indicate this in your application.
You may be asked to provide:
- the purpose of the research
- who will benefit from the research
- how the research outcomes will be used
- funding arrangements
- details of the facilities being used
- the expected duration of the research.
Non-commercial licences may be eligible for reduced annual charges and are generally granted for a specified period.
Step 9: Review and submit
Before submitting your application:
- check that all information is correct
- ensure all required sections are complete
- confirm you have uploaded all supporting documents.
Once submitted, the application cannot be changed online.
After you submit
Once you submit your application:
- you'll receive confirmation that we have received your application
- we'll issue an invoice for the application fee
- we may contact you if we need more information
- we'll assess your application and advise you of the outcome.
Make sure the information in your application is accurate and complete. Providing false or misleading information may affect the outcome of your application.
After you submit your application, you cannot make changes online. If you need to update any information, contact the ODC as soon as possible at MCS.application@health.gov.au.
Get help
If you need assistance using ODC Business Services or completing your application, contact (02) 6289 4618 (option 3) or email MCS.application@health.gov.au.
The ODC contact officer cannot:
- provide advice on how to prepare your application
- offer feedback or opinions about your application, including whether a licence is likely to be granted
- provide business advice.
Page history
Update to reflect changes in application form and process
Original publication
Update to reflect changes in application form and process
Original publication