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Food premises
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Under the provisions of the Food Act 1984, any business that wishes to sell food (including alcohol) must be registered with the council.
Charities and other not-for-profit groups must also meet the relevant food safety standards to ensure only safe and suitable food is sold.
- Setting up food premises
- Food premises classification
- Food Premises application for registration or notification
- Buying an existing food premise/s
- Food safety programs
- Food safety supervisors
Setting up food premises
The following council/external units need to be consulted:
- Statutory planning
- Building
- Water authorities
Registering with council
To be registered with the council you must complete the following steps:
- If you wish to arrange an onsite inspection of the proposed premises
phone (02) 6022 9300 to make an appointment - Fill in an application form for plans approval and submit plans of the fit-out of the premises
- Once plans have been approved, complete construction and/or fitout of premises
- Nominate a relevant food safety supervisor
In Wodonga, food safety supervisor courses are offered at Wodonga TAFE and the Continuing Education Centre
Details on the food safety supervisor requirement may be found at www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety - Prepare a food safety program for the business
- Arrange a final inspection by the council's environmental health officer
- Complete an application form for Food Act premises and return to the council with appropriate fee, food safety supervisor certificate and copy of your food safety program
Please Note: Fees vary depending on the type of premises - please contact the council's environmental health unit on (02) 6022 9300
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Food premises classification
The Food Act 1984 (the Act) regulates the sale of food for human consumption. From July 1, 2010 a new food premises classification system applies to all food premises operating in Victoria. If your business sells food you must either register with, or notify, the council in which the premises is located.
There are four classes of food premises - class one, class two, class three and class four. The new classification system means that regulatory requirements are better matched to the level of food safety risk associated with the food handling activities at different types of premises. Class one has the highest and class four the lowest level of legal requirements. In summary, the new classes are:
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Class one - hospitals, childcare centres and aged care services which serve high risk food.
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Class two - other premises that handle high risk food unpackaged food.
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Class three - premises that handle unpackaged low risk food or high risk pre-packaged food, and warehouses and distributors.
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Class four - as described below.
Classes one, two and three premises must register with the council.
Class four premises must notify the council.
You will be a class four premises and only need to notify if your only food handling activities are as follows:
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The sale of shelf stable pre-packaged low risk food such as confectionery, crisps, frozen ice cream, milk, bottled drinks - for example, newsagents, pharmacies, video stores and some milk bars.
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The sale of packaged alcohol - for example, bottle shops.
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The sale of uncut fruit and vegetables - for example, farmers markets, green grocers and wholesalers.
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Wine tasting (which can include serving low risk food or cheese).
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The sale of packaged cakes (excluding cream cakes).
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Simple sausage sizzles at stalls, where the sausages are cooked and served immediately. This means sausages, sauce, onions and bread. (This does not include hamburgers or other high risk foods).
For a full list of class four activities, go to www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety.
Food premises application for registration or notification
If you are opening, purchasing or selling a food premises or if you plan to serve food as part of your accommodation premises there are a number of permits you need to apply for before you can open your premises.
- Submitting plans for a food premise/s
- Registering a food premise/s
- Transfering a food premise/s
- Notification of a food premise/s
The environmental health team at the council can assist you with setting up a food premises within the municipality. For additional information, please contact the environmental health team on (02) 6022 9300
PLEASE NOTE: Permits may also be required from the planning and building departments. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all appropriate permits have been sought.
Buying an existing food premises
If you are intending on buying an existing food business it is recommended that you organise an inspection of the premises prior to the transfer.
A request needs to be put in writing from your solicitor stating:
- Details of the address of the premises to be inspected
- Details of the name and adress where the report is to be sent
- Notification of any proposed alterations (plans)
- Consent from current proprietor to release infomation to you (form can be provided by council)
- Transfer inspection report fee
Both parties must complete and application form for transfer of registration before the transfer can go through.
The new owner will also need to prepare and submit a Food Safety Program and a copy of the Food Safety Supervisors certificate for the business prior to operating.
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Food safety programs
A Food Safety Program is a written plan that shows how your business manages the safety of the food you prepare, serve, manufacture or sell, by describing how you control and monitor the possible food risks in your business.
Who needs a food safety program?
Class one and two businesses need a food safety program. These premises must keep a copy of their food safety program – of whatever kind - onsite at the business premises.
Class three food premises need to keep completed basic records about certain food safety practices onsite. This includes details about suppliers, and about potentially hazardous food. To work out which minimum records to keep visit http://health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/bus/class.htm
How do I go about getting a food safety program?
There are two options for food businesses
1. Choose to use an approved Food Safety Program Template
- Food Safety Program Template for Food Service and Retail Businesses Edition 1.2 is available on the Food Safety Victoria website at www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety.
- FoodSmart is an internet based interactive tool designed to help retail and food service businesses develop their food safety programs. FoodSmart can be accessed from www.foodsmart.vic.gov.au.
2. Develop an independent food safety program
- Food businesses may choose to develop their own independent Food Safety Program, which will have to be audited by a certified Food Safety Auditor (additional cost). The council will still also conduct routine inspections.
Whichever program is chosen for your business, you will need to:
- Tailor the program to your business
- Lodge the food safety program with the council when you apply for food business registration
- Put the Food Safety Program into place and use it in your food business- follow listed procedures and keeping all necessary records
The council will then compliance check your Food Safety Program to ensure the program is appropriate to your business and to ensure that you are implementing the program correctly.
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Food safety supervisor
The Food Act requires a food business to provide the council with written details of the name and qualification(s) or experience of the food safety supervisor.
This information must be provided when first registering, renewing or transferring the registration of a food business.
A food safety supervisor is a person who:
- Has a certificate or statement of attainment from a registered training authority
- Supervises food handling on the premises
- Is able to give directions to ensure safe food handling
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For further enquires, please contact the environmental health department on (02) 6022 9300.
