Overview

You will need this registration or notification if you intend to operate a food business from a fixed food premises, such as a café, shop, or factory.

Local councils classify all food businesses in their municipality according to the highest risk food activity undertaken at the food premises. The class of your food premises determines what requirements you will need to meet before registration.

There are five classes of food premises:

  • class 1: premises are where the food being handled or served is to vulnerable people within a hospital, aged care, childcare setting, or by home delivery services
  • class 2: premises that handle potentially hazardous foods
  • class 3A: premises that are home-based businesses and accommodation getaway premises that undertake specific food handling activities.
  • class 3: premises are predominately those that handle low-risk foods or pre-packaged potentially hazardous foods.
  • class 4: premises are predominately handling pre-packaged, low-risk foods.

Please note, you may be required to obtain registration with other specialist regulators. If your business primarily:

  • sells, transports or prepares meat or seafood (such as a butcher or fishmonger), you must register with PrimeSafe
  • wholesales, makes, transports or prepares dairy products (such as milk or cheese products), you must register with Dairy Food Safety Victoria.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for registration or notification vary depending on the classification of your food premises.

You may be required to:

  • develop a food safety program
  • obtain a food safety supervisor certificate
  • undertake an approved food handling course.

Please note, additional planning approval processes may be required by council before registration or notification applications are accepted.

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Application process

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Important

All food businesses must contact their local council before starting up. Your council will let you know:

  • your registration requirements and any associated fees
  • your food business class (1, 2, 3A, 3 or 4)
  • if you are required to have a food safety program and a food safety supervisor.

Key information

Contact details

For any questions about this topic.

Food Safety Unit

Department of Health

Operating address: 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Other: 1300 364 352

Email: Foodsafety@health.vic.gov.au

Website: Department of Health

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Related laws

Act(s) name:

Food Act 1984 Victoria

Regulation(s) name:

Food (Forms and Registration) Regulations 2015 Victoria