If you're thinking about buying an existing food business or starting your own, there are some important things you should know. To protect Victorians, all food businesses must comply with State food laws, including the Food Act 1984.
Council offers a service to review and endorse premises plans so that we can assess compliance with the Act. To avoid the risk of delays and extra costs if extra building works or alterations are needed to obtain registration, make sure that you arrange an assessment before registering your new business.
Prior to registering your new accommodation business, please contact Council's Environmental & Public Health Coordinator to arrange an assessment. This can assist in avoiding the risk of delays and costs if extra building works or alterations are subsequently needed to obtain registration.
Complete and submit the 'Submitting Plans for Approval for a Food, Health or Accommodation Business' form alongside your premises plans.
Complete and submit the 'Application for Food Premises Registration' form – alongside your premises plans and the applicable fee.
There are a few specifics to have on hand and organised: determining your food business classification, nominating a food safety supervisor (if applicable), and completing a food safety program (in preparation for opening).
Once the application form and plan approval form are received, Council will conduct an inspection of your premises.
Once Council is satisfied that the premises complies with the standards and statutory requirements, we'll issue you a Certificate of Registration. Congratulations!
Prior to purchasing an existing business, please contact Council's Environmental & Public Health Coordinator to talk through the process. Due to a recent change in legislation, transfer inspections are no longer available, and the business must be registered as a new business via the steps below.
Complete and submit your new business application to Council at least a month before you want to begin operating. The previous owners of the business must contact Council and state the date of settlement; this will be the day that the business is closed.
Once the application is assessed, we'll get back to you with a time to inspect the premises prior to opening. A report will be provided within 7 days of the inspection, and all items that need attention will have to be addressed before you can open for trade.
Once Council is satisfied that the premises complies with the standards and statutory requirements, we'll ask you to pay for a Certificate of Registration. Once you receive your certificate, you can now open to trade. Congratulations!
We'll conduct an inspection within the first 45 days of operation to see how your business is operating, identify any food safety issues that may have arisen, and answer any questions you may have.
For any questions or application forms, please contact Council's Environmental & Public Health Coordinator.
Before you consider purchasing a food business, make sure that you read the Department of Health's 'Starting a food business' web page. There, you'll learn about the different types of food businesses, food business classifications, and safety programs and supervisors.
A temporary food premises is a temporary stall or tent from which food is sold, such as at a market or festival. It can be any structure that is not permanently fixed to a site. A mobile food premises can be a vehicle such as a van, trailer or cart from which food is sold.
Food Act registrations for temporary and mobile food premises are conducted via Streatrader, an online registration database operated by the Victorian Government. Streatrader allows businesses to register and notify any Victorian council they intend to do business in of their intention to operate, as well as pay fees, manage their events, and manage their registration.