Register a food business

How to register your food business

Thinking of starting or buying an existing food business?

Under the Food Act 1984 all businesses that prepare, store, and handle food for sale must register their premises with their local Council. All food businesses must comply with the Food Standards Code.  This includes businesses such as:

  • restaurants and cafes
  • takeaway food operators
  • home-based food businesses
  • childcare centres
  • aged care facilities
  • hospitals
  • farm gate businesses 
  • supermarkets

There are different requirements depending on the kind of food business you need to register. Expand the sections below to read more on the different kinds of food businesses, and the associated fees.

Fixed premises

Before starting your food business, you will need to contact Council’s Planning and Building teams to determine if you need a permit for construction or change of use of the building. You will also need to contact your local water authority, Greater Western Water or Central Highlands Water, to determine if you require a grease trap.

It is recommended that before starting any works that you submit a plan(DOCX, 140KB) to the Environmental Health Team to ensure that your premises will comply withthe Food Standards Code.

Before you can begin operating, you must have paid all relevant fees and have had your final inspection from an Environmental Health Officer.

Purchasing an existing business

If you are purchasing an existing food business, you will need to submit an application of registration with Council.

Before you can begin operating, you must have paid all relevant fees and have had your final inspection from an Environmental Health Officer.

Home business

Before starting your home food business, it is recommended that you contact the Environmental Health team to discuss your food business plans.

For home businesses, Council’s structural requirements are as follows:

  • A minimum of a double bowl sink (with a mixer tap) and a dishwasher. One side of the double bowl will become the dedicated hand washing basin and will need to be supplied with liquid soap and paper towel.
  • Sufficient bench space for the type of foods being processed.
  • All surfaces need to be smooth and impervious (no damage to walls, floor or ceiling in areas where food is handled, prepared or stored).
  • A separate storage area for ingredients and equipment used for the business.
  • Adequate disposal for generated food wastes (bins with tight fitting lids).
  • Supply of potable water.
  • Access to hot water.
  • No pets are to be allowed in food preparation areas.

Please be aware that depending on the nature and size of your business, you maybe be required to have an entirely separate kitchen. If you are preparing and selling an allergen free item, you will be required to have an entirely separate kitchen.

Class 4 Notification

A Class 4 food premises is one at which pre-packaged low-risk foods are sold to the public. Examples include:

  • Newsagents that sell confectionary 
  • Green grocers that sell whole fruit or vegetables
  • Premises that serve coffee and/or tea only

Council requires a notification for these types of premises. This registration has no fee and is ongoing. 

Fees

When you apply to register your food business with Council, you will be charged two fees:

  • A once-off establishment fee
  • A registration fee

The charge for the establishment fee is:

  • $253.40 for a fixed premises
  • $126.70 for a home business

The registration fee depends on the risk classification of your ingredients and/or if you are serving food to vulnerable people:

  • Class 1 (eg. hospitals, childcare, aged care): $738.00
  • Class 2 (eg. restaurants, cafes, catering, cakes with fresh cream): $738.00
  • Class 3 (eg. high-risk packaged or shelf stable products): $519.10
  • Class 3A (eg. a home business making food products such as jams, accommodation getaways that cook-serve food): $519.10
  • Class 4: no registration fee

Please be aware that Council's registration fees are pro rata and may differ depending on when the application is submitted to Council.

These fees are current as at 1 July 2023. Fees are updated every financial year.

How to apply

Email

Step 1.Complete an application form

Download the relevant application form from the panel on the right and complete all sections. You will also need to supply supporting information depending on what kind of food business you are applying to register.

Step 2.Submit your application

Submit your application via email to info@moorabool.vic.gov.au

Step 3.Payment

Before your registration is granted, and after your inspection, you will be required to pay all associated fees. 

Step 4.What happens next?

You will be contacted by a member of the Environmental Health team. An inspection of the premises will be required before your registration is granted. 

In person

Step 1.Complete an application form

Download the relevant application form from the panel on the right and complete all sections. You will also need to supply supporting information depending on what kind of food business you are applying to register.

Step 2.Submit your application

You can submit your application at any of the following locations.

Ballan Office 
15 Stead Street, Ballan
Open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm

Darley Civic and Community Hub 
182 Halletts Way, Darley
Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm  

Lerderderg Library 
215 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm
           Saturday 9am-2pm

Step 3.Payment

Before your registration is granted, and after your inspection, you will be required to pay all associated fees. 

Step 4.What happens next?

You will be contacted by a member of the Environmental Health team. An inspection of the premises will be required before your registration is granted. 

Post

Step 1.Complete an application form

Download the relevant application form from the panel on the right and complete all sections. You will also need to supply supporting information depending on what kind of food business you are applying to register.

Step 2.Submit your application

Submit your application via mail to PO Box 18, Ballan, Victoria 3342

Step 3.Payment

Before your registration is granted, and after your inspection, you will be required to pay all associated fees. 

Step 4.What happens next?

You will be contacted by a member of the Environmental Health team. An inspection of the premises will be required before your registration is granted. 

Meat, fish, and dairy food business

Some types of food premises do not need to register with Council. Instead they must register with the appropriate agency depending on the type of business they are.