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Food Premises

Coffee machine in cafe.

Environmental Health Officers are responsible for food regulation throughout the municipality. This includes the registration of food premises, conducting food sampling and investigating food poisoning outbreaks to make sure that safety standards are maintained.

If you are intending to establish a food business you must obtain approval from the Council’s Public and Environmental Health Unit before commencing trade.

Food businesses include activities that involve the handling of food that is intended for sale. This also includes commercial and charitable organisations.

New food premises

Council has developed a new food business starter kit to assist you in purchasing an existing premises or starting from scratch.

Existing food premises


If you are purchasing an existing food or beverage premises an application to transfer the registration must be lodged with the Public and Environmental Health Unit.

Pre-transfer inspection
An inspection of the premises by an Environmental Health Officer should be considered prior to transferring the registration to determine if there are any outstanding works to be completed. Any outstanding works become the responsibility of the new proprietor after the transfer of ownership.

A statement from the proprietor will need to be obtained giving Council permission to release information to a prospective purchaser. Fees apply for requests for inspections on registered premises.

Transfer of registration
Prior to purchase or after purchasing a food business you must complete the Application to Transfer form. This must be returned to Council with details of the Food Safety Program, the Food Safety Supervisor's Certificate of Attainment and the relevant fee. For information see food premises classes.

Once Council receives this information, we will issue a Certificate of Registration in the name of the new proprietor.

To be granted approval of registration transfer the following criteria must be met:

· Submit the Application to Transfer form and fee attached
· Prepare a copy of the Food Safety Plan (if required)
· Copy of the Food Safety Supervisor's certificate (if required)

For application forms and to request an inspection report please refer to the link below.

Renewal of registration - Food Act 1984


The Food Act 1984 mandates that Council cannot renew a registration without an application.

Food businesses can now apply to renew their registration online.

For further information contact an Environmental Health Officer on (03) 5471 1700 or complete an online service request..

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