Learn more about registering your food business, including information on fees and permit requirements.
Under the Victorian Food Act, you must register or lodge a notification with your local Council depending on the classification of your food premises.
This helps us monitor food businesses to ensure they comply with their obligations to handle, sell safe and suitable food and to prevent misleading conduct.
How do I apply and what is the process to register my food premises?
Step 1: Submit a business concierge enquiry
You need to submit a new business concierge enquiry before starting your food registration or notification for your premises.
A business concierge enquiry helps us understand what your business needs are. We can then guide you through some of the steps with starting a business in Yarra, including what permits you may require.
Submit a business concierge enquiry
Step 2: Apply for other permits (if required)
Once your business concierge application has been assessed, we will let you know if you need any further permits before you register your food premises. This could include a Planning Permit or Building Permit.
If you are planning to do any building works/alterations, please review our Food Premises and Equipment Guidelines (DOC 11.1MB). Food premises need to be constructed and fitted out in compliance with food safety standards.
Step 3: Apply for a food premises registration
Once your business concierge enquiry is complete, we will send you a confirmation email. This email will have a link to the application form to register your food premises.
When completing the application, you will need to log into your account. This will be set up for you as part of your new business concierge application.
When completing the food registration, you will need to tell us:
- your food handling activities and food processes.
- general business information, including the property address.
- an email address you want all correspondence to go to.
- company name (legal entity).
- trading name (registered business name).
Your answers will affect your classification and applicable fees.
Food premises registration fees
The registration fees depend on your food premises class and the number of employees. The period of registration fees is 1 January to 31 December. Registration fees are charged on a pro-rata basis depending on the quarter of the year that registration is granted.
| Class 1 and 2 | Standard | Not-for-profit |
| Application fee | $325.00 | $162.50 |
| Registration or renewal fee | $650.00 | $325.00 |
| Fee per additional employee (more than 10) | $32.50 | $16.50 |
| Class 3 and 3A | Standard | Not-for-profit |
| Application fee | $162.50 | $81.50 |
| Registration or renewal fee | $325.00 | $162.50 |
| Fee per additional employee (more than 10) | $16.50 | $8.50 |
The registration of Class 1, 2, 3 and 3A premises must be renewed each year. You will receive a renewal notice in November to give you plenty of time to renew before the registration expires on 31 December.
Class 4 premises require notification only, and do not require renewal or the payment of fees. If you change any of your food handling activities, you must let us know as any change may put the premises in a higher class where ethe premises will need to meet additional requirements, including registration.
If you register your premises in the 4th quarter of the year (1 October to 31 December), the fee will be 125% of the applicable registration/renewal fee and your registration will continue for up to 15 months to the following December.