Plans approval service
You need to do the following when providing us with plans for a new food business:
- Complete the online plans approval section of the Food Act application to register form.
- Attach one copy of the floor plan of the business or kitchen (drawn to a scale of 1:100), and separate plans for any mechanical exhaust systems. All plans must include specifications and details of surfaces, fittings and equipment, according to our Food Premises Development Guide.
- If you are setting up a food vehicle, download the guide Food Vehicle Structural Specifications.
- Pay the plans approval fee (for Food Premises Class 1, 2, 3) of $212.05 with the online Food Act application form. Note: this fee does not cover the Food Act registration
- Please be advised that your application will not be assessed until paying of your fee has been received.
We will process your application within 14 days of receiving complete plans and specifications. We will then send you back:
- 1 copy of the approved plan
- A letter with conditions
- Contact details of the responsible Environmental Health Officer (EHO)
We advise you not to begin any major work on setting up the new food business or premises until you receive the approved plan.
Food Premises Development Guide (PDF - 452kb)
Food Premises Development Guide - Accessible (DOCX - 202kb)
Food Vehicle Structural Specifications (PDF - 529kb)
Food Vehicle Structural Specifications - Accessible (DOCX - 700kb)
Setting up a food business at home
If you want to operate a food business from your home, you must register with us and meet certain requirements to ensure your business does not negatively affect your neighbourhood.
Before undertaking any works, you must:
- Contact our Business Concierge to check if any Planning or Building permits are required at business.concierge@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
- Complete the online Food Act application to register form. Approval is required before starting any construction works. We highly recommend that you submit plans of the proposed works to ensure compliance with the Food Standards Code. For more information, see Plans approval service.
- An Environmental Health Officer will contact you to discuss your application to register which may require a food safety and risk assessment to determine if an existing kitchen can be modified or if a separate kitchen area is required to comply with the Food Standards Code
- If you live in a rental property, check that your rental agreement allows you to operate a business from the premises
Once all of the above requirements are addressed and satisfied, then approval may be granted to commence the suitable works to obtain registration under the Food Act 1984.
Alternatively, you can choose to lease a registered commercial kitchen that already meets the Food Act 1984 requirements.
To find out about kitchen availability at Council venues for hire, contact the relevant centre manager.
Food business or premises inspections and registration
One of our Environmental Health Officers (EHO) will conduct progress inspections during the construction of your food business or premises to ensure it complies with the Food Standards Code.
Before opening the food premises, our EHO will complete a final inspection. If the business or premises meets food safety standards, you will be issued with a certificate of registration.
Food Act registration exemption
A classification system exists to ensure the regulatory requirements match the level of food safety risk at different types of premises. For more information, visit the Food Safety Victoria website.
Class 4 premises exempt from registration
Premises under classes 1, 2,3 and 3A must register with us.
Class 4 premises are exempt from Food Act registration and simply need to notify us that they exist by completing a Notification of a food premises form.
Class 4 Premises Exemption (PDF - 250kb)
Class 4 Premises Exemption - Accessible (DOCX - 185kb)
Renew your Food Act registration
All registered food businesses must renew their Food Act registration each year. We email business in mid-November with information on how to renew the registration using the Health Manager online portal system.
The business owner must inform us if details have changed in the last 12 months. You can do this by logging into your private and secure online portal account and reviewing your details. Once you have confirmed your details, the renewal form and payment may be submitted to us using the online portal system. The business will be issued with a certificate for the next year's registration once finalised.
Visit the Renew your food or public health business registration page for more information.
Further information
For more information about Food Act registration, see the Department of Health website.
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