Permits & Licences
Businesses Selling Food (Registration & Other Information)
Purchasing an Existing Food Premises
Food Premises Classification
The Victorian Food Act 1984 regulates the sale of food for human consumption.
All businesses which sell food must either register their premises with the Council or notify Council of their activities.
There are now four classes of food premises - Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Class 4. The classification system means that regulatory requirements are better matched to the level of food safety risk associated with the food handling activities at different types of premises.
Class 1 has the highest and Class 4 the lowest level of legal requirements.
Classes 1, 2 and 3 premises must register with Council. Registration must be renewed annually.
Class 4 premises must provide a once off notification to Council of their activities.
In summary, the classes are:
| Class 1 | hospitals, childcare centres and aged care services which serve high risk food |
| Class 2 | other premises that handle high risk unpackaged food such as restaurants and cafes |
| Class 3 | premises that handle unpackaged low risk food or high risk pre-packaged food and warehouses and distributors |
| Class 4 | activities considered to be very low risk such as the sale of shelf stable pre-packaged foods, sale of uncut fruit and vegetables, some fundraising activities and low risk foods served in kindergartens or childcare |
New premises and those looking at changing their food handling activities should complete the Classification Checklist so that Council can determine the classification of the premises.
The following fact sheets produced by the Department of Health provide specific details for each of the four classes.
Class 1 and 2 premises are required to have a food safety program and food safety supervisor. Further information about these requirements is available at www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety.
New Businesses Selling Food
Anyone interested in setting up a new food business or considering altering an existing premises should contact the Health Services Unit prior to starting work. Plans of the proposed set up of the premises need to be submitted to the Health Services Unit for approval.
Read the Health Approval Kit for more information.
Useful information can be found at Food Safety Victoria website: www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety.
Purchasing an Existing Food Premises
Council's Environmental Health Officers routinely perform inspections of food premises to ensure food safety standards are followed and public health is protected.
Prior to purchasing an existing food business, it is wise to have the premises checked by an Environmental Health Officer. To arrange an inspection, please complete the following request for an inspection form.
Please note that written consent from the existing proprietor of premises is required prior to an inspection report from an Environmental Health Officer being released to the purchaser.
Request for an Inspection and Consent for Disclosure of Information Form.
Please complete these forms and return with payment to:
To transfer the registration, complete the relevant form based on your classification and submit this form and the relevant fee to the Health Services Unit. This form must be completed by both the new and existing proprietors.
Application for Transfer of Food Act Registration Form Class 1
Application for Transfer of Food Act Registration Form Class 2
Application for Transfer of Food Act Registration Form Class 3
Businesses must contact Council's Health Services Unit prior to making any changes, whether it be structural changes or changes to the types of food you handle. Council's Health Services Unit assesses plans and specifications for new food premises or alterations to existing food premises. Making changes to your food business
Council must approve plans of all structural changes to ensure they comply with the Food Act 1984 and National Food Safety Standards. Read the Health Approval Kit for more information relating to structural requirements.
Changing the types of food you handle in your business may change the classification of your premises and consequently the regulatory requirements.
Please contact ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for the Health Services Unit to discuss your proposal.
Depending on the type of business and the changes you are making, you may also require permits from Council's Planning and Building Departments. It is the applicants responsibility to ensure all appropriate permits have been sought.
Fees
Please contact ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (030 9209 6713 and ask for the Health Services Unit to confirm the appropriate fee.
SCOOP Food Safety Newsletter
To assist food businesses provide safe food, Council's Health Services Unit has developed SCOOP, a food safety newsletter distributed twice a year to all businesses that prepare food for sale. Read the latest issue here.
Tobacco Control in Businesses Selling Food
Read more information about Tobacco Control visit: www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms.
More Information
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for the Health Services Unit.
