Register a food business

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In Knox, all food businesses must be registered through us and follow regulations to ensure that the food they sell is safe to eat in order to comply with the Food Act 1984.

About registration

The registration process differs depending on whether you are:

opening a new business
buying or selling an existing business
a temporary or mobile food business.

Classification of food businesses

All food businesses are classified according to the level of food safety risk they pose to the public.

This classification determines the level of registration and legal requirements that your business must comply with.

Visit the Victorian Government's Department of Health website to find out which category your food premises comes under.

Class	Registration requirements
Class 1, 2 and 3	Class 1, 2 and 3 premises must register with Council. Registrations must be renewed annually.
Class 4	Class 4 premises only need to register with Council once.

Class

Registration requirements

Class 1, 2 and 3

Class 1, 2 and 3 premises must register with Council.

Registrations must be renewed annually.

Class 4

Class 4 premises only need to register with Council once.

Apply to register a food business

To apply to register a food business, follow the steps below.

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Step 1: Before you apply

Guidelines

Before you set up a new food business and apply for registration, it's a good idea to check the guidelines for:

These are step-by-step guides to help walk you through the process.

Required documents

You will need to provide the following documents as part of your application:

A detailed floor plan for the food premise including all food preparation, storage and serving areas. This must include the dimensions of the space and all fixtures.
A schedule of finishes detailing the finishes on all surfaces including the floor, ceiling, walls, benches and cabinetry.
A copy of the menu or description of the types of food you will serve or sell.

If you are applying to register a home-based food business, you will also need to provide:

an ingredients list and details of the method of preparation for each of the food items you intend to make
a business proposal detailing:
- the nature and type of your business (e.g. making cupcakes to sell at a farmer's market)
- frequency of operation
- description of how the food will be transported.

Privacy statement

Before applying, please read the Knox City Council Privacy Statement.

Step 2: Apply to establish a food business

You can register your food business online. You must be a registered user to use this service.

Apply to establish a food business

Once your application is submitted:

we will review your plans to ensure they comply with the requirements of the Food Standards Code
we will contact you via email if your application is incomplete or if we require more information
we will contact you via email within 14 days if your application has been approved.

Permits and licences

It is your responsibility to apply for a planning permit and/or a building permit before you commence works on your food business.

For example, you may need a permit if you want to renovate the building. Or you may require a liquor licence if you want to serve alcohol.

find out how to apply for a building permit
find out how to apply for a planning permit
visit the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission to find out how to apply for a liquor licence.

Step 3: Book a final inspection

Once we have assessed your application, you may begin works (if required).

As the works near completion or you are ready to begin trading, contact our Health Services Department to arrange a final inspection of your premises.

This inspection must take place once:

all structural works have been completed
tradespeople are no longer required to conduct works on the premises, and
the premises is ready to trade.

An environmental health officer will inspect your premises to:

make sure you have met the regulations
discuss processes to ensure you have the expected food safety knowledge to safely operate a food business

Contact your environmental health officer as per your letter.

We aim to respond to requests to change the date or time of health premises inspections within 2 business days.

Step 4: Register your food business

Once we have conducted a final inspection and you have met the requirements, you will receive an email from us to complete your Application for Registration online.

At this stage you will need to:

pay the prescribed fees
submit your food safety program
submit details of your food safety supervisor and proof of competency.

If your registration application is successful and your fees have been paid, you will receive a Certificate of Registration by email.

Food safety program

Class	Details
Class 1	If you are purchasing a Class 1 food business, you'll need to develop a Food Safety Program and submit it to us. This program needs to be audited by an independent third party auditor. For a list of approved food safety auditors visit the Department of Health and Human Services website. You are also required to appoint a qualified food safety supervisor. Find out more on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Class 2	If you are purchasing a Class 2 food business, you'll need a Food Safety Program. You can choose to develop your own, or alternatively, you can use the Department of Health and Human Services Food Safety Program template. You are also required to appoint a qualified food safety supervisor. Find out more on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Class 3 and 4	If you are starting a Class 3 or a Class 4 food business you don't need a Food Safety Program, but we recommend you complete the Victorian Government's Do Food Safely online training. If you are a Class 3 food business, you're also required to maintain Class 3 records, which can be found in the Food Safety Guide for Food Businesses - Class 3.

Class

Details

Class 1

If you are purchasing a Class 1 food business, you'll need to develop a Food Safety Program and submit it to us.

This program needs to be audited by an independent third party auditor. For a list of approved food safety auditors visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

You are also required to appoint a qualified food safety supervisor. Find out more on the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Class 2

If you are purchasing a Class 2 food business, you'll need a Food Safety Program. You can choose to develop your own, or alternatively, you can use the Department of Health and Human Services Food Safety Program template.

You are also required to appoint a qualified food safety supervisor. Find out more on the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Class 3 and 4

If you are starting a Class 3 or a Class 4 food business you don't need a Food Safety Program, but we recommend you complete the Victorian Government's Do Food Safely online training.

If you are a Class 3 food business, you're also required to maintain Class 3 records, which can be found in the Food Safety Guide for Food Businesses - Class 3.

Additional legal requirements

Depending on your premises, you may be subject to other legal requirements. You may need advice on things like:

the change of use of the building
car parking space requirements
structural and signage changes
public and staff toilet requirements.

If you need advice, please call our City Development Department (Building and Planning) on 9298 8000.

If you need advice on whether you need to install an oil or food waste interceptor, call South East Water on 9552 3662.

If you need advice on street trading and commercial use of footpaths, call our Community Laws Department on 9298 8000.

Other types of registrations

You are also required to register with Council if you intend to:

change ownership of a food business
close an existing food business
start a temporary or mobile food business.

You can also request an inspection before purchasing an established food business. Find out more below.

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Change of ownership

If you are planning to buy or sell a food business, a new registration will be required.

Follow the steps above to apply to register a food business.

Pre-transfer inspection (premises enquiry)

You can request an inspection before a purchase or sale in order to establish the current state of the premises. This is called a premises enquiry.

You can request either a 4 or 10 business day turnaround for the inspection report.

Download a premises enquiry form

Complete the form then:

email it to [email protected], or
mail it to 511 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South VIC 3152.

Closing a food business

You need to let us know if you are closing a food premises.

Email the following information to [email protected]:

address of the premises
trading name of food premises
date that trading cease
name and contact details of person submitting closure advice.

Temporary or mobile food businesses

Operators of temporary or mobile food businesses (including community groups) must register online via the FoodTrader website.

We aim to provide a response in relation to your FoodTrader application within 14 business days.

Examples of activities that are registered through FoodTrader include:

sausage sizzles
coffee vans
market stalls.

Once registered with FoodTrader, your statements of trade (SOT) will be processed within 2 business days.

Registration fees

Find out about food business registration fees and charges.

Food safety

As the owner of a food business, it is your responsibility to ensure that:

your food is safe and suitable for consumption
you comply with legislative requirements under the Food Act 1984 and the Food Standards Code.

For more information about food safety and your legislative obligations, see the Department of Health website.

For more general information about food safety you can also visit the Food Safety Information Council website.

Food business prosecutions

The Department of Health and Human Services maintains a Food Safety Register of Convictions that identifies businesses that have been convicted of breaches of the Food Act 1984.

Need help?

Email [email protected] and we will get back to you.

Or call our Health Services department on 9298 8000.