Food business licence application
All food businesses in Australia must be registered or notified with their local council and comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. State and territory food legislation (based on the Model Food Act) imposes licensing, food safety program, and premises requirements. This checklist guides legal advisers and food business operators through the licence application process.
This is a 12-step checklist for applying for a food business licence in Australia. It covers registration with local council, compliance with the Food Standards Code, food safety supervisor requirements, and premises fit-out obligations.
The checklist
Determine the food business classification
Classify the food business by type (e.g., retail, food service, manufacturing, mobile) to identify which registration, notification, or licensing requirements apply under the relevant state food legislation.
Check local council requirements
Contact the relevant local council to confirm specific registration or licence requirements, application forms, fees, and any pre-application meetings required.
Confirm premises compliance
Verify the premises meets the food premises requirements in Standard 3.2.3 of the Food Standards Code, including layout, surfaces, equipment, and facilities.
Obtain planning and development approvals
Confirm the food business use is permitted under the local planning scheme and obtain any required development approvals or change-of-use permits.
Appoint a food safety supervisor
Appoint a food safety supervisor who holds a current food safety supervisor certificate recognised in the relevant state or territory.
Prepare a food safety program
If required for the business type, prepare a food safety program based on HACCP principles covering all food handling processes from receival to service.
Ensure food handler training
Confirm all food handlers have appropriate food safety skills and knowledge as required by Standard 3.2.2 and any state-specific training requirements.
Review food labelling requirements
If selling packaged food, verify labels comply with Standard 1.2.1 including ingredient lists, allergen declarations, nutrition information, and country of origin labelling.
Check liquor licensing requirements
If the food business will serve or sell alcohol, determine whether a separate liquor licence is required and factor this into the application timeline.
Submit the registration or licence application
Complete and submit the food business registration or licence application to the local council with all required supporting documents and fees.
Prepare for the council inspection
Prepare the premises for the pre-opening council inspection, ensuring all equipment is installed, food safety procedures are in place, and documentation is available.
Establish ongoing compliance systems
Set up systems for maintaining food safety records, temperature monitoring, cleaning schedules, pest control, and preparing for periodic council inspections.
When this checklist applies
Use when a client is establishing a new food business, changing premises, or changing the nature of food handling activities requiring updated registration.
Common pitfalls
- Not confirming planning approval before committing to a premises fit-out
- Food safety supervisor certificate not recognised in the relevant state
- Food safety program not tailored to the actual food handling processes
- Food labels missing mandatory allergen declarations
- Not factoring in council inspection lead times before planned opening date
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio can review food safety programs, check labelling compliance against the Food Standards Code, and track council registration deadlines. See /practice-areas/regulatory-lawyers or start a free trial.
General guidance for food business licence applications. Food legislation varies by state and territory — verify against the applicable food act and local council requirements.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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