Register a food business

In Victoria, you cannot sell food to the public unless you register or notify as a food business with your local council. A small number of businesses carrying out low-risk activities do not need to register. However, they are still required to notify Council of their intended food business activities.

Some types of food businesses are regulated by other authorities. Council will let you know when this is the case. 

For more information on registering a food business, please read our factsheet(PDF, 231KB). 

Follow the steps below to register your food business and/or have your fit-out plans assessed. 

Key information

Building or renovating a premises?

Before you build or renovate a premises for a food business, we advise that you apply for a Fit-out Assessment (formerly Plans Approval). Council will assess your floor plans and make recommendations to ensure that the proposed plan meets the legal requirements. 

Follow the steps under Registration and fit-out if you want to apply for a Fit-out Assessment at the same time as applying to register your business. Otherwise, follow the steps under Fit-out only.

If you choose to proceed with your fit-out without Council's approval of your floor plans, please be aware that you may incur unnecessary or additional expenses to rectify non-compliances.

If you're taking over an existing food business and you are not making any structural changes to the premises, you do not need a Fit-out Assessment. However, we recommend that you request a Property Enquiry Report. The report informs you of any instances where the business may not meet the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Registration only

Know your food classification

Food businesses are classified according to the highest level of risk that their activities pose to public health. Your business may be classified as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3/3A or Class 4.

Register your business with other authorities (if required)

If your business processes, stores, sells and/or transports meat, poultry or seafood (such as a butcher or fishmonger), you must be registered with PrimeSafe. 

If your business primarily wholesales, makes, transports or prepares dairy products (such as milk or cheese products), you must be registered with Dairy Food Safety Victoria. 

Please note that there may be other regulatory authorities responsible for regulating your business.

Nominate a food safety supervisor (if required)

All class 1, 2 and 3A businesses must nominate a suitably qualified food safety supervisor. 

Have a food safety program (if required)

All Class 1 as well as Class 2 businesses that undertake high-risk food handling activities, must have a food safety program.

Know your business address

You must know the address of your premises before you apply because we can't process your application or provide accurate advice without it.

Request a report on the property you are buying (optional)

If you're buying an existing food business, we can provide a Property Enquiry Report that contains important details including:

  • any non-compliant cleanliness or maintenance items we've identified
  • information about the current registration (e.g. annual cost and expiry date).  

Apply for other permits (if required)

You can save time by applying for a Building Permit and Planning Permit before registering your food business. We recommend applying for these permits at the same time.

For building or alteration work on most commercial and industrial developments, you will need a Building Permit.

Regardless of the overall cost of the work, this can include:

  • new buildings
  • shop fit-outs
  • alterations and additions to current buildings
  • pergolas (roofed), verandahs and shade sails
  • decks and balconies
  • changes to the use of a building
  • minor structures, including garages and sheds
  • demolition of existing buildings
  • swimming pools, spas or safety barriers. 

You may need to apply for a Planning Permit if you plan to:

  • carry out building works
  • have live music, DJs or a focus on entertainment and liquor
  • display advertising signage
  • increase operating hours
  • reduce the number of parking spaces
  • change the use of the building.

You may need other permits or registrations if you're planning to trade on the footpath or roadside, or you'll be operating a temporary or mobile food business.

You will need a Footpath Trading Permit if you want to use a public footpath or Council land to:

  • set up dining on the footpath outside your business
  • set up dining on your neighbour’s footpath
  • set up dining in a converted parking space outside your business (roadside dining)
  • display goods
  • display goods on your neighbour's footpath (Extended Goods Permit)
  • display an advertising board
  • set up a night club queue
  • set up a waiting area
  • display a real estate pointer board. 

You will need to apply for a Roadside Dining Permit if you want your business to have exclusive use of a parking space for roadside dining.

Roadside dining can be set up at the front of or side of your property and may include a neighbouring property (that has given consent).

You will need to register with FoodTrader if you're planning to operate a temporary or mobile food business such as:

  • a food truck or van
  • sell or serve food at a community event, festival, market or fete
  • hold a sausage sizzle.

If your temporary or mobile food business is part of an event, you may also need to apply for an Event Permit.

Use our Permit Finder if you’re not sure what permits you need.

Prepare your documents 

Class 1 businesses only

If you're registering a Class 1 business, include your independent (non-standard) food safety program in your application.

Class 1, 2 and 3A businesses only

If you're registering a Class 1, 2, or 3A business, upload a copy of your nominated food safety supervisor’s training qualifications to your application.

Submit your application  

Apply now

If you prefer a paper or PDF form, please contact us. 

Have your premises inspected

Before you begin operating, an Environmental Health Officer will contact you to organise a time to visit your premises.

We'll then send you a report letting you know if your business is compliant or if there are any issues you need to address before you begin operating.

Pay the registration fee

Once we've inspected your premises and approve your registration, we'll email you an invoice for the business registration fee. You can pay this online.

Start trading

We will send your Certificate of Registration via email.

You’re now ready to trade in the City of Stonnington!

Registration and fit-out

Know your food classification

Food businesses are classified according to the highest level of risk that their activities pose to public health. Your business may be classified as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3/3A or Class 4.

Register your business with other authorities (if required)

If your business processes, stores, sells and/or transports meat, poultry or seafood (such as a butcher or fishmonger), you must be registered with PrimeSafe. 

If your business primarily wholesales, makes, transports or prepares dairy products (such as milk or cheese products), you must be registered with Dairy Food Safety Victoria. 

Please note that there may be other regulatory authorities responsible for regulating your business.

Nominate a food safety supervisor (if required)

All class 1, 2 and 3A businesses must nominate a suitably qualified food safety supervisor. 

Have a food safety program (if required)

All Class 1 as well as Class 2 businesses that undertake high-risk food handling activities, must have a food safety program.

Know your business address

You must know the address of your premises before you apply because we can't process your application or provide accurate advice without it.

Request a report on the property you are buying (optional)

If you're buying an existing food business, we can provide a Property Enquiry Report that contains important details including:

  • any non-compliant cleanliness or maintenance items we've identified
  • information about the current registration (e.g. annual cost and expiry date).  

Apply for other permits (if required)

You can save time by applying for a Building Permit and Planning Permit before registering your food business. We recommend applying for these permits at the same time.

For building or alteration work on most commercial and industrial developments, you will need a Building Permit.

Regardless of the overall cost of the work, this can include:

  • new buildings
  • shop fit-outs
  • alterations and additions to current buildings
  • pergolas (roofed), verandahs and shade sails
  • decks and balconies
  • changes to the use of a building
  • minor structures, including garages and sheds
  • demolition of existing buildings
  • swimming pools, spas or safety barriers. 

You may need to apply for a Planning Permit if you plan to:

  • carry out building works
  • have live music, DJs or a focus on entertainment and liquor
  • display advertising signage
  • increase operating hours
  • reduce the number of parking spaces
  • change the use of the building.

You may need other permits or registrations if you're planning to trade on the footpath or roadside, or you'll be operating a temporary or mobile food business.

You will need a Footpath Trading Permit if you want to use a public footpath or Council land to:

  • set up dining on the footpath outside your business
  • set up dining on your neighbour’s footpath
  • set up dining in a converted parking space outside your business (roadside dining)
  • display goods
  • display goods on your neighbour's footpath (Extended Goods Permit)
  • display an advertising board
  • set up a night club queue
  • set up a waiting area
  • display a real estate pointer board. 

You will need to apply for a Roadside Dining Permit if you want your business to have exclusive use of a parking space for roadside dining.

Roadside dining can be set up at the front of or side of your property and may include a neighbouring property (that has given consent).

You will need to register with FoodTrader if you're planning to operate a temporary or mobile food business such as:

  • a food truck or van
  • sell or serve food at a community event, festival, market or fete
  • hold a sausage sizzle.

If your temporary or mobile food business is part of an event, you may also need to apply for an Event Permit.

Use our Permit Finder if you’re not sure what permits you need.

Prepare your documents

You need to provide a copy of your proposed floor plans showing the use for each room. Plans must be:

  • drawn to scale
  • at a scale of at least 1:100
  • accompanied by specifications for materials and finishes for all surfaces including floors, walls and bench tops.

The plans must also clearly show:

  • the layout of all fixtures, fittings and equipment (e.g. food preparation area, dishwasher, mechanical exhaust unit, cool room)
  • all sinks and their intended use (e.g. hand wash basin, cleaners sink)
  • all storage areas (e.g. food, chemical, equipment)
  • bin wash area and bin storage
  • location of toilet (staff and customer).

Read our construction guidelines(PDF, 527KB) for more information.

Class 1 businesses only

If you're registering a Class 1 business, include your independent (non-standard) food safety program in your application.

Class 1, 2 and 3A businesses only

If you're registering a Class 1, 2, or 3A business, upload a copy of your nominated food safety supervisor’s training qualifications to your application.

Submit your application 

Have payment for the Fit-out Assessment fee ready.

Apply now

If you prefer a paper or PDF form, please contact us.

Receive approval for your fit-out

An Environmental Health Officer will assess your floor plans and make recommendations to ensure that the plans meet the legal requirements.

Once approved, we'll send you a stamped copy of the approved floor plan.

Have your premises inspected

Before you begin operating, an Environmental Health Officer will contact you to organise a time to visit your premises.

We'll then send you a report letting you know if your business is compliant or if there are any issues you need to address before you begin operating.

Pay the registration fee

Once we've inspected your premises and approve your registration, we'll email you an invoice for the business registration fee. You can pay this online.

Start trading

We will send your Certificate of Registration via email.

You’re now ready to trade in the City of Stonnington!

Fit-out only

Prepare your documents

You need to provide a copy of your proposed floor plans showing the use for each room. Plans must be:

  • drawn to scale
  • at a scale of at least 1:100
  • accompanied by specifications for materials and finishes for all surfaces including floors, walls and bench tops.

The plans must also clearly show:

  • the layout of all fixtures, fittings and equipment (e.g. food preparation area, dishwasher, mechanical exhaust unit, cool room)
  • all sinks and their intended use (e.g. hand wash basin, cleaners sink)
  • all storage areas (e.g. food, chemical, equipment)
  • bin wash area and bin storage
  • location of toilet (staff and customer).

Read our construction guidelines(PDF, 527KB) for more information.

Submit your application 

Have payment for the Fit-out Assessment fee ready.

Apply now

If you prefer a paper or PDF form, please contact us.

Receive approval for your fit-out

An Environmental Health Officer will assess your floor plans and make recommendations to ensure that the plans meet the legal requirements.

Once approved, we'll send you a stamped copy of the approved floor plan.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How much does it cost to register a food business?

The cost of registering a food business varies. For small food businesses it can cost between $658 and $750. For large businesses like supermarkets or a hotel chain, registration can cost up to $4,255. Registration for a community club or fete is $100.

Does the registration transfer to me if I'm buying an existing food business?

No. A Certificate of Registration is not transferable. You will need to register with Council when buying an existing food business. 

For Class 1 and Class 2 premises, you also need to nominate a food safety supervisor and provide a new food safety program as part of the change of business ownership.

What are the five classes of food businesses?

Food businesses have one of five food classifications to indicate the health risk involved with food handling.

Businesses that are classed at a higher risk have more actions they need to take or documentation they need to provide or maintain.

Visit the Department of Health website for the detailed food business classifications and a list of food premises and their classes.

Class 1

These businesses handle potentially hazardous food served to vulnerable groups within a hospital, aged care, childcare setting, or by home delivery services that provide meals to people who are unable to prepare meals for themselves (e.g. Meals-on-Wheels).

Class 2

Class 2 businesses handle potentially hazardous unpackaged foods. They include restaurants, fast food outlets, pubs, caterers, delicatessens, supermarkets with delicatessens, cafes and most manufacturers.

Class 3

These medium-high risk businesses sell low-risk foods, or potentially hazardous pre-packaged foods. Class 3 businesses include milk bars, convenience stores, fruit stalls selling cut fruit, and wholesalers distributing pre-packaged foods.

Class 3A

Class 3A businesses are premises that are home-based businesses and accommodation getaway premises that undertake specific food handling activities.

Class 4

Class 4 food handling activities pose a low risk to public health. They include bottle shops, wine tastings and shelf-stable, pre-packaged low-risk food sold at places like newsagents or pharmacies.

What class do community groups belong to?

For the purposes of registration, a community group is classified as either:

  • a not-for-profit body
  • an individual or unincorporated group undertaking a food handling activity solely for the purposes of raising funds for charitable purposes, or for a not-for-profit body.

Examples of a community group might include canteens on sporting grounds, fundraising cake stalls, sausage sizzles and school fairs where food and drinks are sold.

If you are a member of a community group and need help to classify your food handling activities, please contact our Business Concierge at businessconcierge@stonnington.vic.gov.au

What is a food safety supervisor and food safety program?

Food safety supervisor

A food safety supervisor is someone who is responsible for the food safety of the food business. They have undertaken formal training have obtained a Statement of Attainment from a registered training authority. Food safety supervisors have the skills and knowledge to recognise, prevent and alleviate food handling hazards including when supervising others.

All Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3A food businesses must have a food safety supervisor. If your business requires a food safety supervisor, include a copy of their training qualifications in your application.

For information on food safety supervisors, visit the Department of Health's website.

Food safety program

This is a written plan that shows what a business does to ensure that the food and drink it prepares or sells is safe for people to consume.

All class 1 food businesses and manufacturers must use an independent (non-standard) food safety program. These businesses receive annual audits from Council by a food safety auditor. 

Class 2 food businesses that carry out the following high-risk activities must have a food safety program. They may use FoodSmart to create their food safety program.

  • Sous vide cooking below 75 degrees celcius.
  • Handling of potentially hazardous foods without temperature control as prescribed by food standards.
  • Preparation of acidified or fermented food or drink.
  • Preparation of ready-to-eat raw or rare minced or chopped meat.
  • Preparation of ready-to-eat raw or rare poultry or game meat.
  • Off-site catering.
  • Any complex food process that does not use temperature control as prescribed by food standards

Other Class 2 businesses may use the Department of Health's registered food safety program template.

Do I need a food safety supervisor or food safety program?

Class  Food safety supervisor required? Food safety program required?
Class 1 Yes Yes, you must have an independent (non-standard) food safety program
Class 2 Yes


Yes, if you are undertaking high-risk food handling activities
Class 3 No No
Class 3A Yes  No
Class 4 No  No
Apply now

Time

  • 10 business days for standard processing
  • 3 business days for fast-track processing

Cost

  • $100 to $3,782 for registration
  • $155 for standard Fit-out Assessment
  • $210 for fast-track Fit-out Assessment
  • $270 for standard Property Enquiry Report
  • $325 for fast-track Property Enquiry Report

New business support

Use our Permit Finder if you’re not sure what permits you need.

Our Business Concierge is also available to help you understand what permits you need. Email businessconcierge@stonnington.vic.gov.au or call on 03 8290 1333.

Contact us

Email

health@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Phone

03 8290 3393