Information about registering a Food Premises

The Food Act 1984 regulates the sale of food for human consumption. From 1 July 2010 a new food premises classification system applies to all food premises operating in Victoria.

If your business sells food (includes community groups) you must either Register with, or Notify, the council in which the premises, or food activity, is located.

There are now four classes of food premises. Businesses falling into Class 1, 2 or 3 must Register with Council (download form from Small Business Victoria):

*Class 1 - hospitals, childcare centres and aged care services which serve high risk food.

*Class 2 - other premises that handle high risk unpackaged foods.

*Class 3 - premises that handle unpackaged low risk food or high risk pre-packaged food, and warehouses and distributors.

Businesses falling into Class 4 must Notify Council (download form from Small Business Victoria).

Class 4 businesses are those that only undertake the following food handling activities:

  • the sale of shelf stable pre-packaged low risk food such as confectionery, crisps, frozen ice cream, milk, bottled drinks - such as newsagents, pharmacies, video stores, some milk bars, and some sporting clubs;
  • the sale of packaged alcohol such as bottle shops;
  • the sale of uncut fruit and vegetables such as at farmers markets, green grocers and wholesalers;
  • wine tasting (which can include serving low risk food or cheese);
  • the sale of packaged cakes (excluding cream cakes);
  • the supply of low risk food, including cut fruit, as sessional kindergarten or child care;
  • simple sausage sizzles at stalls, where the sausages are cooked and served immediately. This means sausages, sauce, onions and bread (and does not include hamburgers or other high risk foods that fall into Class 3).

 

Class 1 has the highest and class 4 the lowest level of legal requirements.


Regardless of the Class a Food Premises falls into, all Food Premises must fully comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code 2002.

REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION OF A FOOD PREMISES

An Inspection of the premises by the Environmental Health Officer should be considered prior to transferring the registration to determine if there are any outstanding works to be completed. Any outstanding works becomes the responsibility of the new proprietor after the transfer of ownership.

A fee applies to requests for inspections on registered premises. A statement from the existing proprietor will need to be provided, giving Council permission to release information to a prospective purchaser.

Before you can open a new Food Premises, or take over an existing one, an application form, together with the appropriate fee  must be forwarded to the Environmental Health Officer.

You can click on the links below to dowload the forms.

You can also dowload the brochure "So, you want to run a food business?" by clicking here.