Food Registration under the Food Act 1984
The Food Act 1984 requires all businesses that handle, prepare, package, store, serve, supply and repackage food and beverages to be registered with their local council. If you are starting a new business, we recommend that you complete the ‘better approval process’ to discuss all your registration requirements, including planning, building and local laws.
Once completing the better approval process and consulting the Food Premises Development Guide(PDF, 20MB), proposed proprietors are required to submit a registration form along with proposed menu and layout of plans, which includes location of all fixtures, equipment, toilet facilities and furniture.
If you design and construct a food premise without going through the better approval or correct registration and plans approval process, registration may not be granted (where the construction does not meet the relevant standards).
Better Approval and Registration Process
Develop and prepare your business idea, gather as much research and information as possible. Complete your Business Permit Checklist form (as part of the better approval process).
Once completed, a permit support meeting will be arranged if it is required. This will consist of meeting with internal Council departments to discuss your business proposal, which permits are required, and provide further information to meet your business needs.
What happens next?
After receiving and assessing your plans, you will be contacted by an Environmental Health Officer to organise an inspection with you onsite.
After a site inspection has been conducted, a report will be sent to you identifying:
- any non-compliant items
- any details that requires clarification or more information
- training requirements for staff/proprietors.
- any additional requirements that may be required, and
- options and suggestions that may resolve any issues
- an invoice for initial registration fees
If you require further advice or need to book a progress inspection, please contact the Environmental Health department on 03 5391 4444.
Progress and Final Inspection of Food Premises
Once you have received the plans approval letter and invoice from Council, you can commence works and set up the premises. Before you are ready to start trading, you will need to ensure the invoice is paid and contact the Council’s Environmental Health Officer to arrange for a final on-site inspection (to ensure that the construction and fit-out is completed satisfactorily and in accordance with the food safety standards). Please contact Council at least 5-business days prior to the inspection to allow for appointment scheduling.
Once the final inspection is completed satisfactorily, all required paperwork has been received and registration invoice is paid, Environmental Health will issue you a registration certificate.
Once registered, Environmental Health will return to your premises once trading to conduct an inspection and to assess your business while trading.
Annual Inspections and Registration Renewals
Once every registration period, an Environmental Health Officer will visit your business to conduct an annual inspection and work through our checklist of requirements. This is to ensure you are adhering the Food Act 1984 and the Food Safety Standards 2023.
Some premises may also be involved in Councils food sampling program. This activity is conducted by each council across Victoria. Hindmarsh Shire Council has a gazetted number of samples that must be collected annually from across Class1, 2 and 3 and 3A premises.
Renewal of registration occurs annually. Council will send you a registration renewal letter to your designated contact address. Please ensure your details are current. You can email any changes of details to eho@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
For more information, please contact Environmental Health on (03) 5391 4444 or email eho@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
Additional Information
Wastewater
If you are connected to a septic system, Environmental Health may require you to provide a Plumber’s Report(PDF, 757KB) to ensure that your current system is able to treat and process the increase of waste into the system. If you are connected to mains sewer, you may be required to have a trade waste agreement through GWM Water.
Training
Be sure to have all staff suitably trained. Class 2 premises will require a Food Safety Supervisor. This training certificate is gained after successfully completing one or more courses at a nationally accredited TAFE or registered training organisation. It is advised for all staff, both in the kitchen and front of house to have completed, at a minimum, the free online Do Food Safely training.