Food premises and safety

Starting a new food business?

In Victoria, all food businesses must be registered through their local Council and follow regulations to ensure that the food they sell is safe to eat. 

If you are starting a food business you must contact Council's Environmental Health Unit on (03) 5422 0333 to ensure you are complying with the Food Act 1984.

We will classify your food business, explain what your requirements are under that classification and inform you of anything else you need to do.

All businesses, organisations, individuals and community groups selling food or drink in Victoria must be classified according to the highest level of risk their food handling activities pose. To find out more about food business classifications, visit the Department of Health website.

Once you are ready, complete an Application to register a food premises form(DOCX, 178KB) / Application to register a food premises form(PDF, 232KB) and pay the prescribed fee.

Buying an existing food premises?

As of 1 July 2021, if you purchase an existing food business you can no longer transfer the existing food registration. You must now apply for a new food registration (see ‘Starting a new food business’ section on this page).

If you are considering buying an existing business, it is possible to obtain information on the current condition of the business and any issues that that have been identified through inspections by an Environmental Health Officer. Consent from the existing owner must be obtained before Council can formally release information to a third party.

This information can be obtained by completing the Pre-purchase inspection form(DOCX, 167KB) / Pre-purchase inspection form(PDF, 177KB) that must be completed by both the existing owner and the person who the information is to be released to.  

Temporary / Mobile food premises and water transport vehicles

FoodTrader is a state-wide registration and notification scheme for temporary and mobile food premises, including water transport vehicles.

To legally operate a temporary or mobile food premises or water transport vehicle at events such as festivals, markets, exhibitions, single temporary stalls, fetes or sausage sizzles (in Victoria), you must:

  • register or notify your temporary and mobile food premises with your local council in order to operate anywhere in Victoria
  • lodge a statement of trade (SOT) to let the relevant councils know where and when you will be trading in their districts.

Examples of those who need to register via FoodTrader include:

  • Businesses selling food from a temporary site, such as a market or a festival stall
  • Businesses selling, giving away or sampling food at an exhibition or a trade show from a stall
  • Farmers selling produce at markets from a stall
  • Home-based business selling baked goods at markets
  • Mobile food vans or trucks
  • Coffee vans
  • Vending machine business
  • Water carters
  • Community groups hosting a sausage sizzle or cake stall
  • Community groups selling food at a market or a festival
  • Community groups cooking and selling food from a food truck or a trailer
  • Schools holding a fete or festival.

To register or notify Council of your temporary or mobile food premises, please use the online FoodTrader system.

Food Premises Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Do I need a Food Safety Program?

All Victorian food businesses (Class 1 and 2) are required to have a food safety program before food business registration can be granted. 

A food safety program is a written document that shows how a business is managing the safety of the food prepared, served, manufactured or sold.

The Department of Health Victoria provide food safety templates which are an easy way for food premises to write a food safety program. You will also need to nominate a food safety supervisor when you submit your food safety program. This person will be responsible for the implementation of the food safety program.

Does my food require a label?

Food labels can provide a wide range of information to help consumers make food choices.

Food labels also help to protect public health and safety by displaying information such as use by dates, ingredients, certain allergens, instructions for storage and preparation, and advisory and warning statements. 

FSANZ sets the standards for what information must be on food labels.

Do I need a planning permit?

A planning permit may be required in order for you to operate a food premises or obtain a liquor licence. More information is provided under Planning Permits - do I need one?

Can I put up an A-frame or seating outside my premises?

If you run a business and would like to place goods, signs and/or outdoor eating areas on Council land or footpaths, you must have a current Roadside and Footpath Trading Permit.