Food Premises Information

Under the Food Act 1984, businesses operating in Victoria that sell food to the public must register with their local council. These include: 

  • Businesses operating a fixed food premises, (including accommodation premises serving food),
  • Individuals operating from home by storing or preparing food in a domestic home kitchen for sale,
  • Temporary or mobile food businesses, such as market stalls,
  • A community group or not for profit body wishing to prepare or sell food.

Before applying for your registration please read the below pages to understand your obligations and what you will be asked to provide when applying.

How to apply for a food registration:

  • Complete an application form and submit it with the required relevant information.
  • Pay a Registration fee. We will advise you of this when you submit your form and a risk classification is determined for your undertakings.
  • Submit a floor plan detailing the food preparation areas, food storage areas, cooking equipment (stove and mechanical exhaust system), dishwasher and sinks (hand and dish).

Class 1 and 2 Premises only

You will also need to provide the following to Council if applicable. Please follow the relevant links to find out more information about each item:

Food Premises Classifications

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 and follow the Food Act 1984 requirements for your classification, regardless of the type of business or group you are.

View the different food classifications

 

Structural Requirements

All food premises are required to comply with the Food Standards Code. Council has developed the New Food Premises Information Pack(PDF, 801KB) to assist you with the necessary information to ensure that your food premises satisfies the legal requirements associated with running a food business.

Visit Food Standards Australia New Zealand for copy of the Food Standards Code. 

Home Kitchens and Labelling Guidelines

The preparation of food for sale to the public in domestic kitchens is permitted however, preparing food for sale differs from cooking for the family.

Before you can begin operating as a food premises you must;

  1. Register with Council to operate a food business from home.
  2. Refer to Council's Home Kitchen Guidelines(PDF, 559KB) for information and requirements on food registration with the Council.

Home Kitchens must also ensure that they abide by the correct labelling laws, the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code, to ensure customers can make informed choices when purchasing food. The Labelling Guidelines(PDF, 663KB) highlight a number of relevant labelling requirements.

Food Premises Change of Ownership

Changes to the Food Act on 1 July 2021, removed the ability to transfer a food registration to a person/business purchasing a food premises. 

When purchasing an existing food business, the new proprietor must apply for a new Food Premises Registration using the form on this page and pay the relevant fee.

The person selling the food premises must advise Council's Environmental Health unit in writing that they are selling the business and to cancel their food registration.

 

 

 

 

 

Contact the Environmental Health Unit

Phone: 5522 2229
Email: health@glenelg.vic.gov.au

 

 

 

Community Groups and/or Class 4 Food Premises

Fundraising events, and temporary or mobile food premises?

More Information

Registration of a Food Premises

To register your food business with us, please complete the Online Form.

Food, Health, Aquatic Facility and/or Accommodation Application

Food Safety

Need to understand unsafe or unsuitable foods, what do do in case of food poisoning or how to report a food complaint?

More Information

Related Information

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