Operating a Food Business

Step 1.Arrange a pre-purchase inspection

We recommend that potential new owners request a pre-purchase inspection(PDF, 200KB) of the food premises they are wishing to buy prior to settlement. This is not mandatory, but is highly encouraged by Council. 

These inspections are carried out by our Environmental Health Officers and can give you valuable information about the standard of the premises and its level of compliance with the Food Act and other regulations. 

There is a fee of $580 for a pre-purchase inspection and report, and the signed consent of the current owner of the business is required on the application form. 

Step 2.Submit food premises plans for assessment 

Any renovations or structural changes to a food business will require you to submit new floor plans of the premises to the Environmental Health Unit. Fit outs will also generally require you to apply for a building permit

Step 3.Apply for food business registration

If you are taking over ownership of a food business, please contact our team to obtain a new proprietor/existing premises form to allow for the transfer of the business' registration.  Prior to settlement, the new owner must provide:

• A completed New Proprietor/Existing Premises application form along with the relevant application fee.
• A copy of the Food Safety Program for the business (for all class 1 and applicable class 2 food businesses)
• Food Safety Supervisor details and qualifications (for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3A food businesses).

Step 4.Assessment

We will review your submission to ensure it complies with the requirements of the Food Act. 

Depending on your business's food classification, you may need to submit a Food Safety Supervisor Certificate to Council.

Depending on your risk classification and type of food handled, processed and sold, you may need to submit a Food Safety Program to Council

Once your application has been assessed by an Environmental Health Officer, we will notify you of whether your application can proceed to a final inspection of the premises.

Step 5.Final inspection and registration

An Environmental Health Officer needs to complete a final inspection of your premises to ensure your food business is compliant before you can operate. 

At the final inspection, we will assess your premises according to the standards in the Food Act and Food Standards Code. We will also check whether you have the required food preparation and cleaning equipment to operate your business safely.

If your final inspection is satisfactory, a Certificate of Food Act registration will be issued to you.

Step 1.Understand the law

All food premises are required to have a Food Act 1984 registration from their council before selling food. This includes temporary and mobile food premises.

Business owners wishing to register food trucks/vans or temporary marquees/stalls must apply through a website called FoodTrader. 

If you are wanting to trade from a Council street, you will need to apply for a Roadside trading permit. If you are wishing to operate a food truck on private property, you may need to contact Council's planning department to ensure the property is zoned for trading. 

Step 2.Register on FoodTrader

FoodTrader is the new online tool for registering and notifying your food business in Victoria.You must use FoodTrader if you:

• sell food or drink to the public at a stall, tent, marquee or from a mobile food vehicle including a van, trailer or cart
• hold a public BBQ/sausage sizzle
• own a vending machine or water transport vehicle.

To register, visit the FoodTrader Website, create your login and the system will guide you through the process until you are ready to submit your form to Council. An Environmental Health Officer will contact you to advice of the inspection and registration process within 10 business days of submission.

Note: Sausage sizzles will not require assessments or inspections and can be registered without fees. You will receive an email notification when your registration has been approved by Council.

Step 3.Approval and certificate of registration

Once your registration has been approved and payment has been made, you will be issued a Certificate of Registration. Once you receive your certificate, you can trade anywhere in Victoria without having to register with another Council.

Step 4.Submit a statement of trade each time you trade

Each time you plan to trade you need to login to your FoodTrader account and complete a short form called a Statement of Trade, which will ask when and where you will be trading from your temporary or mobile food premises. Your statement will then go to the relevant council to notify them of your activities in their area.

Statements of Trade must be submitted at least 1 full day prior to the trading start date. For example, if you are trading on a Saturday, the statement of Trade needs to be lodged on the Thursday before you trade.

Please note that you cannot trade from Council controlled streets or property without a roadside trading permit having been issued to you.