Register a food business

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When opening a food business, there are specific requirements before you can operate.

You’ll need:

  • Approval of any initial construction or renovation
  • Approval to occupy the premises
  • To either hold a NSW Food Authority licence or notify the relevant authority to register your business
  • If you require an inspection, book here.

Find more information about the requirements below.

Building or renovating premises

If you’re constructing a food premises from an empty shop, making changes to an existing food premises, or even considering using your own home kitchen commercially, please read the information below to help your journey.

  1. Check whether Development Consent (DA) is required. If unsure, you make an appointment with one of our duty planners.

  2. Typically works start once your certifier has issued a construction certificate. Registered building certifier’s need to ensure food premises construction standards are met during the construction phase.

  3. You may need to get plumbing approval for any plumbing works, including the installation of a grease trap. Council's Plumbing and Trade Waste Officers will visit to inspect works under these approvals. You will also need to submit a liquid trade waste application for assessment. Learn more about the process here

  4. A Council Environmental Health Officer will conduct a final inspection of the kitchen prior to opening. You will also need to notify (sometimes called register) the food business with Council.

  5. A home-based business (Home Occupation) kitchen must comply with the same food premises construction standards that would apply for a commercial shop. Therefore, you should consider whether it is more viable to hire an existing commercial/community kitchen for your food preparation. The NSW government has some advice regarding what can be done at home.

  6. After construction works have been completed, an Occupation Certificate may be needed. This can be done through the NSW Planning Portal.

Helpful information:

Purchasing an existing food business

Prior to buying an existing food premises business you may wish apply for a pre-purchase inspection report from our Environmental Health Officer team.

We will inspect the premises and compile a report detailing any issues with the physical premises from a food hygiene perspective which can alert you to any potential problems that will require fixing. Once you have purchased the business you will become responsible for fixing any works to ensure that the premises complies with legislative requirements.

Once you have purchased the premises, you are required to register your business.

Registering your business

All food businesses must either:

Notify Council

Your premises may also require development approval if you are operating a food premises.