Register a Food Business

Whether you're starting a new food business, or purchasing an existing food business, you'll need to make sure your business is registered. If you aren't already aware of the requirements for a food business, make sure to check our Food Business Requirements page before beginning your application.

Once you're ready to apply, here are the steps you'll need to follow:

Register a New Food Business

Step 1.Make sure you've got all of the information

There are quite a few different types of Food Premises, and a lot of things to know before applying to register one. More information about general requirements can be found on our Food Business Requirements page. You can also obtain a Best Bites Food Guide application kit, which has information on setting up a new food premises. For more information please see our Best Bites page.

For a list of some other places you may want to check before registering, see the “Getting All of the Information” tab at the bottom of the page.

Step 2.Collect everything to submit with your application

Make sure you’ve got everything you need before applying. This includes any other permits you might require. You’ll also want to make sure your premises is ready for a registration inspection and meets all the requirements. See the "Required Information and Documents Checklist" tab below for further information.

Step 3.Lodge your application

Download the Food Business Registration Application Form(PDF, 162KB)

Fill the form out and post or email it along with the required documents to the Shire and make payment over the phone. Please see our contact us page for email, postal and phone details.  

Step 4.What happens next?

Once your application has been received, along with the application fee and any required documents, an officer will contact you to organise an inspection of the premises. Once approved, you will receive a Food Act Certificate of Registration. Your premises will then be registered until 31 December. Registrations are required to be renewed each year. An invitation to renew your business registration will be sent towards the end of the year explaining how to renew your business.

 

Purchase an Existing Food Business

Under the Food Act, for a food business to change ownership, the existing registration must be closed. An application for a new registration must then be made by the new owner/s.

A proprietor wishing to cancel their registration can do so using the Food Act premises closure form(PDF, 108KB) . Once completed, the form can then be posted, emailed or dropped in to any of the Shire Offices. For further details, please see out Contact Us page.

The below steps provide a guide for a new owner to register a purchased food business.

Step 1.Make sure you've got all of the information

There are quite a few different types of Food Premises, and a lot of things to know before applying to register one. More information about general requirements can be found on our Food Business Requirements page.

For a list of some other places you may want to check before taking over a registered business, see the “Getting All of the Information” tab at the bottom of the page.

Step 2.Organise a Pre-Purchase Inspection (Optional)

You may wish to arrange an inspection of the premises prior to the settlement of the business purchase. A Pre-Purchase inspection will provide general information about the fit out and fixtures within the food premises and whether the premises complies with the Food Standards Code Australia and New Zealand, Chapter 3.2.3 food premises and equipment. Please note, an application for a Pre-Purchase Inspection must be signed by both the vendor and the purchaser.

Apply Online

Alternatively, you can download the application for a pre-purchase inspection for a food business(PDF, 146KB). Fill the form out and post or email it to the Shire and make payment over the phone. Alternatively, you can lodge the application and pay at any one of the Shire offices. Please see our contact us page for email, postal and phone details and office locations.  

Step 3.Collect everything to submit with your application

Make sure you’ve got everything you need before applying. This includes any other permits you might require. See the "Required Information and Documents Checklist" tab below to check that you've got everything you need to provide.

Step 4.Lodge your application

Download the Food Act Registration Form(PDF, 162KB). Fill the form out and post or email it, along with the required documents, to the Shire and make payment over the phone. Alternatively, you can lodge the application and pay at any one of the Shire offices. Please see our contact us page for email, postal and phone details and office locations.

Step 5.What happens next?

Once your application has been received, along with the application fee and any required documents, an officer will contact you to organise an inspection of the premises. Once approved, you will receive a Food Act Certificate of Registration. Your premises will then be registered until 31 December. Registrations are required to be renewed each year. An invitation to renew your business registration will be sent towards the end of the year explaining how to renew your business.

Further information can be obtained from:

  • The Shire's Environmental Health Team
    • As the officers that will be approving and inspecting your premises, the Environmental Health Team can assist with any questions. You may also want to submit scaled plans for an assessment by an Environmental Health Officer. It is recommended that you do not begin any work on your premises prior to the approval of your plans to prevent costly mistakes.
  • A Private Building Surveyor
    • If you're planning to fit out a shop front or alter a building to make way for your new business, you may require a building permit. Please note that the Mornington Peninsula Shire does not issue building permits, these are issued through Private Building Surveyors.
  • The Shire's Planning Services Team
    • Depending on what (and where) you're proposing to do as part of your business, you may also need a planning permit. More information regarding this can be found here.
  •  The Shire's Property Team
    • Food trucks operating on the Mornington Peninsula may need an itinerant traders permit. More information regarding this can be found here.
    • If you are looking to have your business extend onto the footpath (e.g. signs, tables & chairs) you may need to apply for a Commercial Activity on Footpath permit. More information regarding this permit can be found here.
  • South East Water
    • South East Water can discuss sewerage and grease trap requirements (this may be particularly important for Domestic Kitchens that aren't already set up with this). If sewer is not available, you should contact an Environmental Health officer to discuss septic tank requirements.
  • Business Victoria
    • Further information and advice for setting up a new business can be found here.

When you're ready to apply, please make sure you have the following information and documents ready:

  • The class of the business
  • A photocopy of the driver's license (both sides) of the proposed proprietor/s OR if registering under a company name, a printout of the company detail from ASIC
  • A copy of scaled plans that comply with Australian Standard Design, Construction and Fit-out of Food Premises AS 4674-2004
  • A completed menu and brief description of the business
  • Details of the Food Safety Program (Class 1 or 2 business)
  • Copy of the Food Safety Supervisor Training Certificate (Class 1 or 2 business)
  • Details of the DHHS Approved Food Auditor (Class 1 business)
  • Make and model of vehicle (If registering a Food Vehicle)
  • Food vehicle RTA registration number (If registering a Food Vehicle)

What is the registration fee?

The registration fee is different for the different classes. Download a copy of the Environmental Health Fee Schedule(PDF, 156KB)

How do I know what class my business is?

Business are classified into one of four risk classes. For help determining which class your business will be, you may refer to the Department of Health Food Business Classification Tool. More information on premises classes can be found on our Food Business Requirements page.

Do I need to do a Food Safety Course?

If your business is a class 1 or 2 business, you must have a qualified Food Safety Supervisor. Further details regarding this can be found on our Food Business Requirements page.

Who pays and applies for a Pre-Purchase Inspection?

The purchaser is responsible for paying the fee and lodging the application. The purchaser will need to arrange for the vendor to sign the pre-purchase inspection form.

Do I need to do anything different for a food truck?

There will be some additional information you'll need to supply (see the "Required Information and Documents Checklist" below). You may also need to apply for an Itinerant Traders Permit. More information regarding this can be found on our Food Vans and Itinerant Traders page.

I need more information

For more information you can check the Food Business Requirements. You can also phone our Environmental Health Team on 5950 1373 or contact the team online.

Back to top