All Victorian food businesses that handle, prepare, package, store, serve, supply or convey food must be registered or notify under the Food Act.
If you are thinking of starting your own food business in a fixed premise such as a café, restaurant, factory or other permanent structure there are some important steps you will need to follow.
If your business is not a fixed premises, these links will take you to relevant registration information:
Step 1 - Research your idea and form a business plan
Formulating a business plan is your first and most important step to ensure your business will be sustainable.
Increase your chances of success in your business by checking the tool kit on the Business Victoria website and formulating a business plan.
Our website also has information on starting and growing your business in Geelong.
The Department of Health has some videos on starting a food business.
During August each year, we present ‘Starting a New Food
Business from Home’ at the Geelong Small Business Festival.
Step 2 - Approval from other authorities
Permits or exemptions may be required from other authorities prior to applying for a registration under the Food Act.
These may include, but are not limited to:
Step 3 - Premises design and fitout
When designing or re-designing a food premise you may need
to be aware of:
If your business is a home based business please also refer
to:
Step 4 - Application process
Our registration process can take 4-6 weeks from when you
apply.
What you will need to do:
You will need to apply to register a premises under the Food Act.
Your application will need to include a copy of plans or
photos of the premises.
The plans or photos should include:
- The layout of all fixtures, fittings and equipment
- A description of materials to be used for surface finishes including walls, floors and bench tops. (A legend on the side of the plan may be used)
You will also need to include your Food safety supervisor certificate and information about your Food Safety Program if required for your
business.
What we will do:
Our Environmental Health Officer will contact you within 10 working days of us receiving your application to discuss your business plan and
determine the class and type of business and registration fee you
will need to pay.
You will be provided with an invoice amount to register
your business during this conversation.
If you decide not to proceed with your business, please let
the Environmental Health Officer know and your application will be closed.
Step 5 - Food Safety Supervisor (FSS)
All Class 1, most Class 2 and Class 3A businesses
require a nominated and trained Food Safety supervisor.
There are a number of Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
in Geelong, who offer some FSS training. A certificate is required as proof of training.
Our Environmental Health Officers will discuss this with
you.
All Class 1 and some Class 2 businesses require a Food Safety Program.
Class 3, 3A and 4 businesses do not.
Our Environmental Health Officers will discuss this with
you.
Step 7 - Invoice issued and payment received
We will issue an invoice and email it to you for payment.
Your application will not progress until your invoice is
paid in full.
An Environmental Health Officer will contact you within 10 business days of us receiving your payment to discuss the next step in your application and/or
arrange to inspect your business.
Step 8 - Application assessment
Your Environmental Health Officer will assess your business
against relevant legislation and go over food safety information.
If any works are required or there are food safety
requirements to be met, you will be provided with this information verbally.
You will also receive an email confirming this information.
Step 9 - Approval and certificate of registration
If your business meets all requirements and you have
provided all information, you will be given approval to trade during the
inspection.
You will be sent a Certificate of Registration to your email.
If you have conditions to meet, work through these.
When these are completed contact your Environmental Health officer to inspect before trading.
Five business days notice
will be required.
Once the officer is satisfied that all requirements have been met you will be given verbal approval to trade and then a Certificate of Registration will be sent to your email.
Step 10 - Registration and compliance
You are now registered and ready to trade!
An Environmental Health Officer will assess compliance of
your business after 30 days. Inspections will be carried out throughout the year to ensure compliance is maintained.
It should be noted that food premises performance is expected to be consistently maintained.
and additional fees above the annual registration fee may be expected should a food business not reach appropriate food safety levels during the year, these are referred to as performance fees.
Other information which you should be familiar with:
Step 11 - Registration periods
For most Food premises registration the registration period
is from 1 January to 31 December each year.
A renewal of registration will be sent to you approximately six weeks prior to
end of the registration period.
For businesses that have been assessed as non-compliant
during the previous year, performance fees may also be included in your renewal invoice.
Questions
If you do not understand your registration and compliance
requirements you can speak to the Environmental Health Officer during their next inspection
or contact our Health Services Unit on 03 5272
4411.