Food business licence
Under the Food Act 2006 most food businesses need a licence from their local Council. You will need to apply for a food business licence when you are:
- starting a new food business
- taking over an existing food business
The following will be considered before a food business licence is approved:
- The applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence
- the premises from which the food business is to be carried on is suitable
- a food safety program is accredited (only when required)
Who needs a food business licence?
You need to apply for a food business licence with Council when your business:
- manufactures food (including making food by combining ingredients and packaging for resale at another location)
- sells unpackaged food by retail, for example:
- café, restaurant or bar
- takeaway food shop
- is a non-profit organisation and sells:
- on at least 12 days each financial year
- meals prepared by your organisation at a particular place
Who does not need a food business licence?
If your food business meets one or more of the following, you do not need a food business licence:
- the production of primary produce under an accreditation issued under the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000, part 5 (for example the Meat Scheme, Seafood Scheme, Dairy Scheme and Egg Scheme). The regulation of this Act is the responsibility of Safe Food Production Queensland.
- the sale of unpackaged snack food (e.g. cakes and biscuits without cream or custard, confectionary, potato chips, nuts)
- the sale of whole fruit or vegetables
- the sale of seeds, spices, dried herbs, tea leaves, coffee beans or ground coffee (not including manufacturing)
- the grinding of coffee beans
- the sale of drinks (other than fruit or vegetable juice processed at the place of sale) including, for example, tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
- the sale of ice including flavoured ice
- the sale of food by a non-profit organisation that meets the exemption criteria
Starting a new food business
Starting a new food business requires an application for the design approval for the fit-out of the new premises, followed by a separate application to apply for the Food Business Licence.
Fixed food business
A fixed food business includes:
- cafe/restaurant
- takeaway food shop
- bakery
- home business
- child care centre
- fruit and vegetable shop
- food manufacturer
- caterer
If you are wanting to open a licensable food business from a fixed location, follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Check the business does not require other approvals
Before applying for a food licence, contact Council on (07) 3829 8999 to see if any other approvals are required from the below teams:
- Plumbing Services
- Planning Assessment
- Trade Waste
Step 2 – Apply for a design approval
- Complete a Food Business Application form online and select the option to ‘apply for a design approval for the fit out of a new food business’;
- Upload your plans (for further information on the fit-out requirements for your premises, please refer to the Design and fit-out guide); and
- Pay the $674 application fee (this is a once-off fee for the assessment and approval of your application).
Please Note: Council will assess your application within 30 days and either issue an information request if further information is required or a preliminary approval to commence construction/fit-out.
Step 3 – Once the design approval application has been approved
- A preliminary approval and your approved plans will be emailed to you, allowing you to start the construction/fit-out of your food premises.
Please note:
- The preliminary approval is not a licence to operate your food business. A Food Business Licence is required prior to operating and is subject to a compliant final inspection.
- Once your construction/fit-out is complete, you will be required to submit another form to apply for your licence & pay the pro-rata licence fee.
Step 4 – Once the construction/fit-out is complete
Prior to operating your business, you are required to contact the Environmental Health Team on (07) 3829 8463 to:
- Book a final inspection with an Environmental Health Officer;
- Complete a Food Business Application form online and select the option ‘apply for a food business licence for a new business’; and
- Make payment of the pro-rata licence fee (this fee is based on our current licence fee).
Please Note: The above form and fee is in addition to the initial design approval form and $674 application fee.
Step 5 – Issuing food business licence
Your food business licence will be issued once:
- The pro-rata licence fee has been received;
- You have completed the Food Business Application form online to apply for a food business licence for a new business; and
- You have a compliant final inspection.
Please Note: All food business licences have an annual expiry date of 31 October. Your renewal notice will be emailed at least 60 days prior to the licence expiration.
Home-based food businesses
Operating a licensable food business from a domestic premises, such as your home, requires a food business licence.
If you want to apply for a food business licence using your domestic kitchen, only applications for low-risk foods and activities will be considered. Low-risk activities do not involve the handling or storage of potentially hazardous foods.
Activities that involve high-risk foods or manufacture large amounts of food are required to be undertaken from a commercial premises or a separate commercial kitchen in your home.
Types of low-risk activities that would be considered from a domestic kitchen include:
- Making special occasion cakes
- Making cupcakes, biscuits, slices for a market stall
- Making jams and chutney
- Bed and breakfast accommodation
- Farm home-stay
A home-based food business must comply with the requirements in the Food Standards Code (FSANZ). There are some other considerations that also apply:
- Food and other items relating to the food business must be stored separately from domestic items
- Pets cannot have access to the kitchen
- While preparing or handling food for the business, other people (e.g. visitors and children) cannot have access to the kitchen
If you are wanting to open a licensable food business from your home, follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Check the business does not require other approvals
Before applying for a food licence, contact Council on (07) 3829 8999 to see if any other approvals are required from the below teams:
- Plumbing Services
- Planning Assessment
- Trade Waste
Step 2 – Apply for a design approval
- Complete a Food Business Application form online and select the option to ‘apply for a design approval for the fit out of a new food business’;
- Upload your plans (for further information on the fit-out requirements for your premises, please refer to page 32 of the Design and fit-out guide); and
- Pay the $674 application fee (this is a once-off fee for the assessment and approval of your application).
Please Note: Council will assess your application within 30 days and either issue an information request if further information is required or a preliminary approval to commence construction/fit-out.
Step 3 – Once the design approval application has been approved
- A preliminary approval and your approved plans will be emailed to you, allowing you to start the construction/fit-out of your food premises.
Please Note:
- The preliminary approval is not a licence to operate your food business. A food business licence is required prior to operating and is subject to a compliant final inspection.
- Once your construction/fit-out is complete, you will be required to submit another form to apply for your licence & pay the pro-rata licence fee.
Step 4 – Once the construction/fit-out is complete
Prior to operating your business, you are required to contact the Environmental Health Team on (07) 3829 8463 to:
- Book a final inspection with an Environmental Health Officer;
- Complete a Food Business Application form online and select the option ‘apply for a food business licence for a new business’; and
- Make payment of the pro-rata licence fee (this fee is based on our current licence fee).
Please Note: The above form and fee is in addition to the initial design approval form and the $674 application fee.
Step 5 – Issuing food business licence
Your food business licence will be issued once:
- The pro-rata licence fee has been received;
- You have completed the Food Business Application form online to apply for a food business licence for a new business; and
- You have a compliant final inspection.
Please Note: All food business licences have an annual expiry date of 31 October. Your renewal notice will be emailed at least 60 days prior to the licence expiration.
Mobile food business (including Water Carrier)
A mobile food vehicle is a "vehicle propelled by a motor or a food vending machine". The layout of the vehicle does not change yet the premises can be moved between locations.
You are able to operate a mobile food vehicle in any local government area within Queensland if you hold a current mobile food vehicle licence. However, you must consider where you choose to have your mobile food vehicle licensed, as you will need to make the vehicle available for inspection when requested. Generally, the mobile food vehicle will be licensed with the Council where the vehicle is garaged.
If you are wanting to operate a licensable mobile food business, follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Check the business does not require other approvals
Before applying for a food licence, contact Council on (07) 3829 8999 to see if any other approvals are required from the below teams:
- Plumbing Services
- Planning Assessment
- Trade Waste
- City Sports and Venues
If you are planning to operate your mobile food vehicle in a Redland City Council park or public open space, you will need approval to operate as a temporary commercial activity. This is a separate approval from your Food Business Licence. You can find more information about temporary commercial activities in parks or public open spaces here.
Step 2 – Apply for a design approval
- Complete a Food Business Application form online and select the option to ‘apply for a design approval for the fit out of a new food business’;
- Upload your plans (for further information on the fit-out requirements for your premises, please refer to the Design and fit-out guide) ; or water carrier requirments: and
- Pay the $674 application fee (this is a once-off fee for the assessment and approval of your application).
Please Note: Council will assess your application within 30 days and either issue an information request if further information is required or a preliminary approval to commence construction/fit-out.
Step 3 – Once the design approval application has been approved
- A preliminary approval and your approved plans will be emailed to you, allowing you to start the construction/fit-out of your food premises.
Please Note:
- The preliminary approval is not a licence to operate your food business. A Food Business Licence is required prior to operating and is subject to a compliant final inspection.
- Once your construction/fit-out is complete, you will be required to submit another form to apply for your licence & pay the pro-rata licence fee.
Step 4 – Once the construction/fit-out is complete
Prior to operating your business, you are required to contact the Environmental Health Team on (07) 3829 8463 to:
- Book a final inspection with an Environmental Health Officer;
- Complete a Food Business Application form online and select the option ‘apply for a food business licence for a new business’; and
- Make payment of the pro-rata licence fee (this fee is based on our current licence fee).
Please Note: The above form and fee is in addition to the initial design approval form and the $674 application fee.
Step 5 – Issuing food business licence
Your food business licence will be issued once:
- The pro-rata licence fee has been received;
- You have completed the Food Business Application form online to apply for a food business licence for a new business; and
- You have a compliant final inspection.
Please Note: All food business licences have an annual expiry date of 31 October. Your renewal notice will be emailed at least 60 days prior to the licence expiration.
Temporary food business
Operating a temporary food stall at markets and events within Redland City Council may require a Food Business Licence. If you are preparing or handling unpackaged food for retail sale a licence is generally required.
There are some exemptions where a licence is not required, these include (but are not limited to):
- Pre-packaged food
- Whole fruit and vegetables
- Selling snack foods that are not potentially hazardous e.g. biscuits, confectionary, dried fruit, cereals, popcorn etc.
- Drinks such as tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcohol, flavoured ice drinks
Not-for-profit organisations only need a licence when meals are served on 12 or more occasions in a financial year. For example, a not-for-profit organisation with a sausage sizzle stall twice a year does not need a food business licence.
If you are preparing food for the market stall in advance (this includes chopping, cooking, assembly and packaging) you are required to do this from an approved food premises with a separate Food Business Licence.
How to apply for a licence
If you are wanting to operate a Temporary Food Business, follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Submit a Temporary Food Business Application
- Complete the Temporary Food Business Application form online;
- Upload a detailed plan of the stall – for an example refer to an artist impression of the minimum standards; and
- Pay the required application fee:
- Limited Operation Licence (once off event up to four consecutive days in a single location) = $100
- Regular Operation Licence (annual licence - valid for 12 months from the date of issue) = $450
The plan must be clearly drawn and include information about:
- the tent/gazebo structure (roof, walls and flooring),
- location of equipment (cooking/food processing)
- food preparation and serving benches/tables
- hand washing facilities
- food storage (esky or refrigerator)
If the application form, plan and fee are submitted less than 5 business days prior to the event, an express processing fee of $100 may apply in addition to the application fee. Please note that an application may be refused if there is no capacity to process the application within the desired timeframe.
Step 2 – Issuing Food Business Licence
- An Environmental Health Officer will assess your application when the form, plans and payment are received.
- Once approved, your Food Business Licence will be emailed/posted to you.
Taking over an existing food business
If you are taking over a food business currently in operation, you are required to apply for your own Food Business Licence that must be approved before you commence trading.
Council recommends applying for a Health Search (pre-sale inspection) when looking to take over an existing food business. For further information, refer to the section below ‘Health Search (pre-sale inspection)'.
If major changes or renovations are proposed for the food business, please contact the Environmental Health Team on (07) 3829 8463 as you may need to apply for a design approval first for the new fit-out.
If you are taking over an existing mobile food vehicle that is licensed with another Local Government, you will be required to follow the same process as starting a new food business listed above.
How to apply for a licence for an existing business
To apply for a Food Business Licence when taking over an existing food business, follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Current owner to surrender their licence
- Submit a Food Business Application form online and select the option ‘surrender my food business licence’.
Step 2 – Purchaser to apply for their licence
- Submit a Food Business Application form online and select the option ‘apply for a food business licence transfer for an existing business’.
Step 3 – Purchaser to pay the required fees
Once Council receives both forms, an invoice will be emailed to the purchaser for the below:
- $370 transfer fee (this is a once-off fee for the assessment and approval of the application); and
- The pro-rata licence fee (this fee is calculated based on the annual licence fees and is dependent on the remaining time left in the licensing period).
Please Note: Once the payment and both forms are received, Council will assess your application within 30 days and contact you if further information is required or will issue the Food Business Licence once approved.
Step 4 – Issuing of Food Business Licence
- Once the application is approved, Council will email/post the Food Business Licence to the purchaser.
Please Note: All food business licences have an annual expiry date of 31 October. The renewal notice will be emailed at least 60 days prior to the licence expiration.
Health search (pre-sale inspection)
Prior to taking over an existing food business, it is recommended to apply for a Health Search to check the current condition of the food business. An Environmental Health Officer will inspect the business and provide a report with information on the design/fit-out compliance, maintenance and cleaning of the premises. The report may assist you in making decisions when purchasing the business.
To apply for a Health Search (pre-sale inspection), follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Submit a Health Search Application
- Complete the Health Search form;
- The applicant will need to have the current licensee or authorised agent also sign the form (without this section completed we are unable to process the application);
- Pay the $620 application fee; and
- Submit your application:
- Email: rcc@redland.qld.gov.au
- Post: Redland City Council, PO Box 21, Cleveland QLD 4163
- In-person: Lodge and pay for your application at our Customer Service Centres in Cleveland, Capalaba or Victoria Point
The application will be processed within 7 business days once the completed form and payment are received.
Step 2 – Inspection of Premises
- An Environmental Health Officer will inspect the business; and
- A report will be emailed to the applicant.
Please Note: Before you can start operating the business, you will be required to apply for your own food business licence. Refer to the section ‘How to apply for a licence for an existing business’.
Food safety supervisors
Food safety supervisor requirements
A licensable food business must have at least one nominated Food Safety Supervisor who has the skills and knowledge to supervise matters relating to food safety in their business. Council recommends that recognised food safety training is undertaken to satisfy this requirement. A Food Safety Supervisor should have training based on the food sector that they are working in.
The Licensee must also advise Council within 14 days after a person stops being a Food Safety Supervisor or if the contact details of a Food Safety Supervisor change.
Food safety supervisor responsibilities
A Food Safety Supervisor must:
- know how to recognise, stop and reduce food safety hazards of the business
- be trained with the skills and knowledge of food safety matters relevant to the business
- have the authority to supervise and give directions about food safety matters to other staff
- be reasonably available to be contacted while the food business is operating by any food handler at the food business and Council
How to nominate
If you are submitting a Food Business Application, you can nominate your Food Safety Supervisor/s at the same time. If you did not nominate at the time of submitting your Food Business Application you have 30 days from the date of the food business licence.
If you would like to update the details of your Food Safety Supervisor at any time or nominate additional people, you can do so by using the same application form.
Food safety supervisor qualifications will need to be provided with the application form.
No fees apply for nominating or changing a Food Safety Supervisor.
Training and resources
All food businesses have obligations to produce safe food and Council is assisting food businesses to meet these obligations by providing free access to the I'M ALERT online food safety training tool.
Council recommends all staff involved in food handling, regardless of being a nominated Food Safety Supervisor, complete some form of food safety training.
The training is easy to follow and includes an entertaining presentation as well as interactive quizzes. The program can be accessed online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A training acknowledgement form can be obtained upon completion and kept as part of your staff records. Please note that this training does not meet the requirements for a Food Safety Supervisor however provides a general overview of food safety for food handling staff.
- I'm Alert Food Safety fact sheet
- Conduct the training now by visiting EHA I'M ALERT.
Food safety programs
Information for businesses that require a food safety program accreditation
A food safety program is a document that identifies and controls food safety hazards in the handling of food in a food business. There are a number of food businesses that must have a Food Safety Program accredited by Council such as aged care facilities, childcare centres and caterers.
You are required to have a Food Safety Program if:
- the food business involves off-site catering
- the primary activity of the food business is on-site catering
- the primary activity of the food business is on-site catering at part of the premises where they are catering to 200 or more people on 12 more occasions per year
- the food business is carried on as part of the operations of a private hospital or serves potentially hazardous food to six or more vulnerable people
For more information on developing a Food Safety Program and a list of approved auditors, you can visit the Food safety programs and auditors page in the Helath section of the QLD Government website.
How to apply for a food safety program accreditation
If you are starting a new food business that requires an accredited food safety program, you will need to apply for accreditation at the same time as submitting the Food Business Application. The application form will prompt you to upload a copy of your program with the notice of written advice from an approved auditor.
If you are operating a licensed food business and are proposing to undertake an activity that requires an accredited food safety program (i.e. catering) you must submit the Food Safety Program Application form online before the new activity commences. You will need to upload a copy of your program when submitting the application form and a notice of written advice from an approved auditor.
Taking over an existing business that requires a food safety program accreditation
You are able to transfer a Food Safety Program when you are taking over an existing food business. The Food Safety Program will need to be updated with the new licence holders' details and uploaded when submitting the Food Business Application. A notice of written advice is not required if there have not been any amendments made to food handling processes in the business and program.
Amending a food safety program accreditation
If you have an existing accredited Food Safety Program and are planning to make changes to food handling processes in your business, you are required to submit a Food Safety Program Application form online to have the amendment approved.
You will need to upload a copy of your amended program when submitting the application and a notice of written advice from an approved auditor.
Information for existing food businesses
An application for an amendment is required where:
- you intend on changing the business trading name; or
- major changes or renovations are proposed for the food business such as altering the layout of your kitchen, installing additional cooking equipment or changing the nature of your business.
Amending an existing food business trading name
To amend an existing food business trading name, follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Submit a Food Business Application
- Complete a Food Business Application form online and select the option to ‘make an amendment/structural change to an existing food business’.
- No fees apply for a business name change.
Step 2 – Issuing of Food Business Licence
-
Once the application is approved, Council will email/post your new Food Business Licence.
Making major changes/renovations to an existing food business
To apply for an amendment for an existing food business, follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Submit a Food Business Application
- Complete a Food Business Application form online and select the option to ‘make an amendment/structural change to an existing food business’;
- Upload your plans (for further information on the fit-out requirements for your premises, please refer to the Design and fit-out guide; and
- Pay the $450 amendment application fee.
Please Note: Council will assess your application within 30 days and either issue an information request if further information is required or a preliminary approval to commence construction/fit-out.
Step 2 – Once the amendment application has been assessed
- A preliminary approval and your approved plans will be emailed to you, allowing you to start the construction/fit-out of your food premises.
Please Note: The preliminary approval is not a licence to operate your amended food business. A final inspection to approve the fit-out is required.
Step 3 – Once the Construction/Fit-out is complete
- Prior to operating your business, you are required to contact the Environmental Health Team on (07) 3829 8463 to book a final inspection with an Environmental Health Officer.
Step 4 – Issuing Approval
- Your approval will be issued once you have a complaint final inspection.
Surrendering a food business licence
To surrender your food business licence, you will need to submit a Food Business Application form online and select the option 'surrender my food business licence'. This is a formal acknowledgement to Council that you are no longer operating.
Footpath dining
Information about footpath dining approvals
A Footpath dining approval is required when the proposed dining area is on a public footpath (adjacent to a road). This application is not required if the proposed dining area is on private land. Footpath dining approvals will only be issued to businesses that sell food as defined under the Food Act 2006. Activities in the footpath dining area are limited to footpath dining and table service.
Additional approvals from other Council areas may also be required. For example, you may require planning approval for the use, or building approval if your proposal includes any building works or permanent structures. Contact Council on (07) 3829 8999 for more information.
How to apply for a new footpath dining approval
If you are starting a new food business which incorporates the use of the public footpath or you are an existing food business and would like to start using the public footpath for dining, you are required to apply for a Footpath Dining Approval. The application process requires proposed plans of the area and details of furniture to be submitted.
You can either apply for this at the same time you apply for the Food Business Licence (if applicable) or alternatively submit a separate Footpath Dining Approval Application form online.
The applicant must also take out public liability insurance to a minimum value of $10 million and name Council as an interested party. A copy of this document must be submitted before your application is given approval.
The proposed plans of the footpath dining area should indicate:
a) Site dimensions
- Property boundaries;
- Footpath width from the outside face of the kerb to the building line;
- Location of building lines; and
- Width of the building frontage to which the outdoor dining area is associated and entry points to the building
b) Site features
- Existing trees and street furniture including bench seating, street lighting, bins, drinking bubblers/fountains, bike racks, tactile paving, planter boxes; and
- Existing awnings, overhangs and signage (proposed and existing, including heights)
c) Topography and Services
- Footpath levels and cross falls;
- Existing services (including poles, service pits, stormwater catchments pits in the kerb, fire hydrants, post boxes, public telephones etc.), connection points and easements; and
- Existing vehicle access points
d) Adjoining Features/Constraints
- Types of businesses on abutting properties and their building lines;
- Type and dimensions of car parking (i.e. parallel, diagonal, rear in etc.), if any, provided on the road shoulder adjoining the footpath on which any outdoor dining area is to be located;
- Existing pedestrian movement corridors through the site; and
- Any uses which may be sensitive to outdoor dining located in close proximity i.e. ATM’s, driveways, loading zones, no standing zone, bus stop or taxi
e) Proposed Footpath Dining Layout
- Location of proposed tables, chairs, fixed and /or temporary structures, heights of structures, the width of walkways;
- Distance of proposed footpath dining area from adjoining features (as detailed in point d); and
- Proposed number of tables, chairs and umbrellas
Transferring an existing footpath dining approval
Where there is a business with an existing Footpath Dining Approval, an application can be submitted to transfer the approval to the new approval holder. You can either apply for this at the same time you apply for the Food Business Licence (if applicable) or alternatively submit a separate Footpath Dining Approval Application form online. A copy of the public liability insurance to a minimum value of $20 million, with Council as an interested party, will need to be submitted with the form.
Amending an existing footpath dining approval
If any changes are being made to the approved footpath dining area, you will need to submit a Footpath Dining Approval Application form online to apply for an amendment and upload a new set of plans to be approved.
Application forms
- Food Business Application Online Form
- Temporary Food Business Application Online Form
- Footpath Dining Approval Application Online Form
- Food Safety Program Application Online Form
- Food Safety Supervisor Online Form
- Health Search (Pre-Sale Inspection) PDF Form