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Operating a food business

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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.

New business

Prior to registering your new accommodation business, please contact Council 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.

Step 1.Submit your plans

Complete and submit the 'Submitting Plans for Approval for a Food, Health or Accommodation Business' form alongside your premises plans.

Step 2.Submit your food premises registration

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).

Step 3.We'll inspect the premises

Once the application form and plan approval form are received, Council will conduct an inspection of your premises.

Step 4.Your certificate is issued

Once Council is satisfied that the premises complies with the standards and statutory requirements, we'll issue you a Certificate of Registration. Congratulations!

Existing business

Before purchasing an existing business, a transfer inspection must be arranged with Council.

Step 1.Submit your transfer inspection request

Submit the 'Request for Information and Documents' application so that a transfer inspection can be arranged. This needs to be signed by the current proprietor.

There are also a few specifics to have on hand and organised: your food business classification, food safety supervisor (if applicable), and food safety program. We'll be able to assist whether these are already in place for the existing business.

Step 2.We'll inspect the premises

Council will arrange the inspection of the premises once it's received the request for information and associated documents.

Step 3.We'll send you some documents

Once inspect, we'll send out a copy of the transfer inspection report and application to transfer the premises.

Step 4.Submit your transfer application

Submit the application to transfer the premises alongside the appropriate fee.

Step 5.Your certificate is issued

Once Council is satisfied that the premises complies with the standards and statutory requirements, we'll issue you a Certificate of Registration. Congratulations!

For further information or assistance in completing application forms, please contact Council.

Help with starting a food business

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.

Temporary and mobile food premises

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.