The Food Act 1984 requires all businesses that handle, prepare, package, store, serve, supply and repackage food to be registered with their local council.
The type of registration that is required for your business will depend on the nature of your food business, what type of food you are handling and who the food is being served or sold to.
Before submitting your application, you must have already determined your food business classification.
Food business classification
Your business will need to be classified using the Victorian Department of Health's food business classifications. Your classification is based on the highest risk activity carried out.
How to apply
Class 1
Premises where food is being provided to vulnerable people within:
- a hospital
- aged care
- childcare facility
- by home delivery services, such as Meals on Wheels.
You will need:
When all the requirements have been met, you need to complete and submit the online application form.
Apply online
Class 2
Premises that:
- handle or manufacture unpackaged potentially hazardous food
- manufacture low risk food where any allergen-free claim is made.
You will need:
When all the requirements have been met, you will be required to complete and submit the online application form.
Apply online
Class 3
Premises that:
- handle unpackaged low risk food
- handle high-risk pre-packaged food.
This also includes warehouses and distributors.
You will need:
When all the requirements have been met, you will be required to complete and submit the online application form.
Apply online
Class 3A
Premises that:
- are a home-based or temporary hire kitchen that makes products such as chutney, relish, salsa or tomato sauce using a hot-fill process
- prepare or cook potentially hazardous foods that are served for immediate consumption in an accommodation getaway premises.
You will need:
When all the requirements have been met, you will be required to complete and submit the online application form.
Apply online
Class 4
Premises that primarily handle pre-packaged, low-risk foods.
Examples include:
- confectionery outlets
- bottle shops
- green grocers or wholesalers selling whole, uncut fruit and vegetables
- other businesses as outlined in the Department of Health's food business classification.
Requirements:
Fees
View a schedule of fees and charges(PDF, 131KB) (including registration of food premises).
Council charges registration fees based on the calendar year. If your business opens part way through the year, a pro rata fee will apply.
Pro rata fee structure
| Quarter |
Pro rata fee |
| 1 January - 31 March |
100% |
| 1 April - 30 June |
75% |
| 1 July - 30 September |
50% |
1 October - 31 December
(includes registration for the following year) |
25% |
Once your application is lodged, the final registration fee will be determined by the classification of your business, and will be calculated and displayed.
Operating your business without renewing on January 1 will be considered trading unregistered. This is an offence under the Food Act.
After you apply
After your application is submitted, there are a few more steps that must be taken before your registration can be confirmed.
Council assesses your application
After your application is received and the application fee has been paid, an Environmental Health Officer will review the submitted documents.
Risk assessment
An Environmental Health Officer will contact you to arrange an appointment to meet onsite and conduct a risk assessment. A report will then be issued listing any non-conformances.
Final inspection
After any non-conformances have been attended to, an Environmental Health Officer will attend to conduct a final inspection.
Certificate of Registration
Following the final inspection, a Certificate of Registration will be issued.
More information
Note: this information is intended for those setting up and registering new food premises.
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