Why do we license food businesses?
How to apply for a new food business licence
How to amend a current food licence
How to cancel a food licence

Why do we license food businesses?

• The licensing of food businesses ensures that food is prepared and served in a way that is safe and suitable for eating.
• Council’s Environmental Health Team assess and approve food licence applications in the region, ensuring compliance with the relevant food laws.  They also conduct regular inspections on licenced food premises and provide education to the community.

How is this achieved?

• The Food Act 2006, Food Regulation 2016 and Food Safety Standards outline the requirements for food businesses to apply for and hold a licence with council. Food business operators, whether licenced or not, are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with these regulations.

How to apply for a new food business licence

Applications are required for:

• Structural alterations to
  • existing fixed food premises
  • mobile food vans
• New installations of fixtures, fittings or equipment to existing premises e.g. ovens, sinks, benches
• New food business premises
  • Fixed 
  • Temporary
  • Mobile. 

The application process requires the following:

• Design Assessment and Pre-Approval

Food applications can be completed via Council’s Online Portal; required plans must be submitted along with payment of relevant fees and charges.

Example Plans:

• fixed food business
• mobile food vehicle
• temporary food stall

Fit Out Guides can be found via this link here

Council’s Environmental Health Team assess applications for compliance against the relevant requirements of the Food Act 2006 and the Food Safety Standards.

Applicants will receive a pre-approval letter, a Food Licence Fee Invoice, and information about booking a final inspection. Payment of the Food Licence Fee must be received before Final Approval can be progressed.

• Final Approval

The application will be approved, and the food licence issued upon satisfactory results from the final inspection.  Ensure a minimum of 48 hours notice is allowed in order to arrange the final inspection.

In circumstances where approval is given based on conditions that other work is required, a time frame will be negotiated in which outstanding work must be completed. An Environmental Health Officer will discuss this with the applicant.

The relevant amendment form and applicable fee are to be submitted to the Environmental Health team.

To transfer a license (new licensee):

• The form must include the names and signatures of the current and new licensee
• Ensure the section relating to food safety supervisors is completed
• Health compliance inspection (optional)
  • It is important to check that the business you are looking at holds a current licence. 
  • Prior to purchasing an existing food business, a health compliance inspection can be undertaken by an Environmental Health Officer to identify non-compliance issues. An Environmental Health Compliance Search Form with applicable fee is required prior to inspection.

To amend a license (design / structural / process changes of the food business premises):

• Plans and details of structural changes must be included with the amendment form.
• Suitability of the planned changes in relation to the business operations will be assessed.
• Once the plans are approved, an inspection will be undertaken by an Environmental Health Officer. Ensure a minimum of 48 hours notice is allowed in order to arrange the inspection.

How to cancel a food licence

A request to cancel a food licence must be submitted in writing, along with the original current Food Business Licence.  Photocopies or scanned/email copies of the licence will not be accepted.

If the Food Business holds a Food Safety Program accredited by Council, this must be returned to Council with the letter and licence.

Useful links:

• Queensland Health
• Food Standards Australia & New Zealand
• Safe Food Queensland
• Food Safety Information Council
• Liquor and Wine Licensing

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