In Victoria, all food premises are required to have a Food Act registration from their registering council before selling food. This includes fixed premises, such as cafes and restaurants – but also temporary and mobile food premises such as a market stall, community BBQ or a food van.
FoodTrader is the online system for businesses and community groups to register and notify their temporary and mobile food premises with their registering council. For some more information regarding FoodTrader visit the FoodTrader website.
If you're having a sausage sizzle, selling food at a market stall, or selling food from a food truck, you'll have to be registered with FoodTrader. You'll also need to lodge a Statement of Trade each time you are selling food. Here's how you go about it:
First, you'll need to register on FoodTrader. Instructions on how to do this can be found on the FoodTrader website.
Once you're registered, you will need to lodge a statement of trade for each event you attend.
Information on how to lodge a Statement of Trade on FoodTrader can be found on the FoodTrader website.
The details of the event will then come to us for approval. Once approved, you will be notified and receive a copy of your approved Statement of Trade.
Registrations with FoodTrader are annual and you will have to renew your registration each year when prompted. More information on renewing your registration can be found on the FoodTrader website.
No, currently the Shire does not charge any registration fees through FoodTrader.
If you are preparing food at home or at a business to then sell at a market stall, then you will also need to register your food business directly with Council. Find more information on food business registration.
FoodTrader registration and lodging a Statement of Trade is not permission to use land. You need to seek permission from the landowner before selling food on private or public land. For further information refer to Food Vehicle Fact File(PDF, 121KB)
If you are concerned that you may not get your Statement of Trade approved in time, please call us on 5950 1373 to make sure we're aware that you've lodged your application. We will do our best to make sure we can have it approved in time. Please note, however, that this may not always be possible at late notice and you will not be able to trade without approval.
Yes, if you will be having a food stall, even if you are giving food away as a means of promotion, you will need to lodge a Statement of Trade.
Your Statement of Trade will be approved by the Council in which the event is taking place, even if the food is prepared at a premises registered with another Council. If the food is prepared at a fixed premises, please make sure that it is registered with the Council the premises is within.