Home-based food businesses

A domestic kitchen registration is available for businesses where food is prepared, handled or stored for sale at events or markets from a private dwelling.

All registered domestic kitchens should be designed appropriately for the nature and quantities of foods produced and are only suitable for small amounts of foods.

The design and construction of the domestic kitchen must comply with the following:

• Food Act (Vic) 1984 including National Food Safety Standard 3.2.3
• Australian Standard 4674-2004, design, construction and fit out of food premises
• Yarra Valley Water Grease Trap requirements or Council's Onsite Wastewater Management Plan(PDF, 7MB) if sewer is not available.

The fit out requirements to register a domestic kitchen include, but are not limited to:

• separate hand wash basin with warm running water for hand washing
• separate sink for food preparation
• dishwasher
• separate and adequate storage area for the storage of food
• durable, smooth, impervious and easy to clean surfaces for benches, floor etc
• adequate ventilation
• a separate drain for the disposal of wastewater
• adequate pest proofing of the premises
• a food grade sanitiser
• a digital probe thermometer.

How to register

All food businesses including home-based businesses are classified depending on the type of food sold. The category each business falls into determines the level of regulation and requirements imposed on the business.

Check the class types on the registration page before you register.

Register a home-based business

Find out more

To learn more about what can be involved when starting a food business, watch this animation from the Victorian Department of Health.