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Do you need to register?
Under the Food Act 1984, all food businesses that prepare, store and handle food for sale require registration or notification with their local Council. This includes businesses such as:
- restaurants and cafes
- takeaway food operators
- home based food businesses
- child care centres and aged care services
Permits and permissions you may need
Depending on what kind of food business you plan to operate, there may be a several permits and permissions you need. Many food businesses require a building and/or planning permit before they can legally operate. A planning or building permit are typically required for:
- building a brand new food premises
- changing an existing building into a food premises
- running a food business from your home
- getting a liquor licence
Before applying for a permit, contact the Business Permit Service. They will help you identify which permits or permissions your business may require. You can also find more information in the Property and Planning section of our website.
Food business fit out requirements
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Food Act 1984 require food businesses to meet certain construction and fit out standards.
Information on construction and fit out requirements for commercial food business is available in our Guidelines for the design and construction of a food premises.
For home-based businesses, refer to our our video below.
Food business classes
In Victoria, all food businesses are classified into 5 classes. This is based on the highest level of risk the business's food handling activities pose.
Depending on the class your food business falls under, you may need:
- to pay fees associated with your registration application
- a food safety program
- a food safety supervisor
We recommend you contact the Environmental Health Team as early as possible to discuss what classification you may fall into. You can contact the Environmental Health Team via phone on 9705 5200.
Meat, fish and dairy food premise/s
Some types of food premise/s do not need to register with Council. Instead, they must register with the appropriate body depending on the type of business they are:
Meat processing and seafood businesses
If your business primarily sells, transports or prepares meat or seafood, you must register with PrimeSafe.
Some examples of businesses that need to register with PrimeSafe include:
- butchers
- fishmonger
- meat and seafood transport vehicle
Dairy food premise/s
If your business primarily wholesales, makes, transports or prepares dairy products, you must register with Dairy Food Safety Victoria.
Some examples of businesses that need to register with Dairy Food Safety Victoria include:
- dairy manufacturers
- dairy farmers
- dairy distributor
- dairy food carrier