Starting a Food Business in Australia: Council Approvals and Costs

Starting a food business in Australia is an exciting venture, but it requires navigating a mix of council approvals, state-level regulations, and food safety requirements. Whether you're opening a café, launching a food truck, or running a home-based catering operation, understanding the licensing process is crucial before you invest time and money. The good news? The process is straightforward once you know what your local council expects and which approvals you need.

Do You Need a Food Business Licence?

The short answer is yes—but the type of approval depends on your location and business model. In Australia, every food business must notify or register with their local council before trading. However, whether you need a formal licence or just a notification varies by state and the nature of your business.

In Queensland, most food businesses require a local council licence, not just a simple notification. In New South Wales, retail and food-service businesses must notify their local council, though high-risk producers, processors, or transporters need a licence from the NSW Food Authority. Victoria uses a classification system where businesses must register themselves as either high-risk or low-risk. South Australia requires notification to the local council before your business opens.

The key principle across all states: you cannot legally operate without first notifying or registering with your local council. This applies whether you're running a small home-based business, a market stall, a food truck, or a full commercial kitchen.

What Types of Food Businesses Need Licensing?

If you're manufacturing or selling unpackaged food, you'll likely need a licence. In Brisbane (and most of Queensland), you need a licence if you're selling:

• Cut fruit or vegetables, or fruit or vegetable juice
• Baked goods with fruit, dairy fillings, or icings
• Dairy products, including yoghurt and milk
• Takeaway foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas, or hot chips
• Cooked meat (such as a sausage sizzle)
• Cooked meals at a café or restaurant
• Food for taste testing

Home-based businesses are treated differently. If you want to operate from your domestic kitchen, you'll need to check with your council's planning department first. Domestic kitchens are only approved if your business produces non-potentially hazardous foods—think items like jams, biscuits, or bread without dairy fillings.

The Council Approval Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Check Your Premises Meets Requirements

Before you submit an application, ensure your location is suitable. For fixed food businesses, your food preparation area must:

• Be separate from where household food is prepared
• Include commercial-grade surfaces and appliances
• Be secure from children and pets

You'll also need to check that your premises is zoned for your type of business. Most councils have online mapping tools where you can generate a property report.

Step 2: Obtain Required Approvals Before Applying

Before lodging your food business licence application, you may need:

• Planning approval (if your premises requires changes)
• Building approval (for renovations or fit-outs)
• Plumbing approval
• Approval from the council's planning department (especially for home-based businesses)

Getting these approvals first saves time and prevents costly retrofits later.

Step 3: Submit Your Food Business Licence Application

You'll need to complete your council's Food Business Licence Application form and attach the relevant fee. The application assesses whether you (the operator) have the required skills and knowledge to safely prepare and sell food to the public.

This is where a Food Safety Supervisor comes in. Every licensable food premises requires a designated Food Safety Supervisor. This person must complete a nationally recognised food safety course. If you're the operator, you'll likely be this person.

Timing matters: submit your application at least 30 business days before you intend to open for trade. This gives your council's Environmental Health Officer (EHO) enough time to assess your application properly.

Step 4: Council Assessment and Pre-Approval

Once submitted, an Environmental Health Officer will assess your application. Allow a minimum of 30 days for a full assessment. If your application doesn't meet requirements, further time may be needed.

You'll receive a pre-approval before the physical inspection. It's recommended that you don't start construction until pre-approval is granted—this ensures your proposed business complies with current standards and avoids expensive retrofits.

Step 5: Physical Inspection and Final Licence

The final stage is a physical inspection of your premises. You cannot open for trade until the council has completed this inspection and issued your licence. The inspector will verify that your fit-out meets food safety standards and that you're ready to operate safely.

Special Considerations for Different Business Types

Home-Based Businesses

If you're operating from home, notify your local council and expect inspections. Check suitability with the council first, considering layout, handwashing facilities, storage, and separation of pets and children. Only non-potentially hazardous foods can be produced in a domestic kitchen.

Mobile Food Businesses (Food Trucks)

For food trucks and mobile vendors, notify the council where the vehicle is garaged. You'll also need to check with any councils where you plan to operate, as requirements may vary by location. Some states require registration at the state level for mobile operations.

Caterers

Notify the council where the majority of your food and equipment is stored or handled. This ensures they know where to inspect and which council has jurisdiction over your business.

Understanding the Food Standards Code

All food businesses must comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. This national standard covers everything from food handling and storage to temperature control and record-keeping. Your council will assess your application against these standards.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining temperature logs for potentially hazardous foods
• Keeping records of suppliers and ingredients
• Ensuring staff complete food-handler training
• Implementing food safety procedures

What About Costs?

While the search results don't provide specific 2026 fee schedules, food business licence application fees vary significantly by council. Brisbane, for example, charges different fees depending on the type and risk level of your business. Contact your local council directly for current pricing—most councils publish their fee schedules online.

Beyond the licence fee, budget for:

• Food Safety Supervisor training course (typically $200–$500)
• Staff food-handler training (varies by provider)
• Premises fit-out to meet commercial standards
• Planning, building, and plumbing approvals (if required)

State-by-State Quick Reference

Requirements vary slightly across Australia:

• NSW: Notify your local council for retail and food-service businesses. High-risk operations need a licence from the NSW Food Authority.
• Victoria: Register via FoodTrader and lodge Statements of Trade for each council area you operate in.
• Queensland: Most food businesses require a local council licence.
• Western Australia: Notify or register with your local government; some remote operators register with WA Health.
• South Australia: Notify your local council or SA Health if you operate outside council areas.

When in doubt, contact your local council first—they'll clarify whether you need a licence or just a notification.

Getting Started: Your Action Plan

Ready to launch your food business? Here's what to do next:

1. Contact your local council and ask about food business licensing requirements for your specific business type and location.
2. Check your premises against council fit-out requirements and zoning regulations.
3. Obtain any required approvals (planning, building, plumbing) before applying for your food business licence.
4. Enrol in a Food Safety Supervisor course if you're the designated supervisor.
5. Complete your council's Food Business Licence Application at least 30 business days before your planned opening date.
6. Prepare for the physical inspection and be ready to address any issues the Environmental Health Officer identifies.
7. Receive your licence and open for trade.

The council approval process protects both you and your customers. By following these steps and working closely with your local council, you'll establish a food business built on solid legal and safety foundations. Your council's Environmental Health Officers are there to help—don't hesitate to ask questions before you submit your application.