Register a food business

If you’re constructing a food business in an empty premises, or making changes to an existing food premises, you need to follow theses requirements:

1. Apply for Development Consent (DA).
2. Once you’ve met DA conditions, apply for a Construction Certificate. The Certifier you use must ensure NSW Food Act Construction Standards are met.
3. You may also need Grease Trap/Plumbing approval.
4. Once you have a Construction Certificate, work can begin. Council officers may do building and plumbing inspections during this time.

5. You’ll need an Occupation Certificate. Apply for an Occupation Certificate through the NSW Planning Portal. We will conduct a final inspection before issuing the certificate.

Helpful information:

• This Design, Construction and Fitout Guide(PDF, 4MB) can help with your planning.
• This Preliminary Plans Checklist(PDF, 415KB) shows what we look for when approving changes to your premises.

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.

All food businesses must either:

• Hold a NSW Food Authority licence
  This applies to food businesses in sectors covered by regulation under the Food Act 2003 (NSW).
• Notify the NSW Food Authority of their food activity details
  This depends on the type of business. Check if this applies to your business.
• Notify Council of their food activity details
  This depends on the type of business, check if you’re required to notify

Notify Council