Food businesses

In Victoria, under the Food Act 1984, all food businesses that prepare, store and handle food for sale require registration or notification with their local Council. As part of this process, our environmental health officers monitor local food businesses to ensure they comply with the Food Act and National Food Safety Standards.

I'm opening a new business

Before you open a new food business, you should discuss your proposal with one of our environmental health officers.

Call 9524 3333 to speak to an environmental health officer.

For more information, download our:

• Guidelines for new and transferring food businesses (PDF, 1MB).

I'm buying an existing business

Before you buy an existing food business, you should:

• check if the business has current registration with us
• request a pre-transfer inspection of the business.

If you're buying an existing food business, you must transfer its registration into your name or your company's name.

For more information, download our Guidelines for new and transferring food businesses (PDF, 1MB).

I'm starting a temporary or mobile food businesses

If you want to start a temporary or mobile food businesses in Victoria, you must apply for Food Act registration through Streatrader.

Streatrader is a state-wide single online system that allows you to:

• apply for registration with your local council
• lodge notification and statement of trade documents with your local council
• manage your registration.

For more information, visit the Streatrader website.

The following Department of Health and Human Services documents may also help you with mobile food businesses and market stalls:

• Running a market stall in Victoria (PDF, 398KB)
  
• Starting your mobile food business in Victoria (PDF, 626KB)