Temporary, Mobile and Community Group Food Businesses

To run a temporary, mobile or community group food business in Victoria, you are required to register your business with FoodTrader. This is a requirement for the following types of food businesses:

  • Temporary food businesses refer to food business that are not permanently anchored to a specific site. This includes stalls or tents that engage in the sale of food at markets or festivals. A Food Registration through Hindmarsh Council will be required for the premises where the equipment is stored for events.
  • Mobile food businesses include vehicles such as trucks, vans or carts from which food is sold. If your mobile food truck parks permanently at a location and does not move, then this will need to be registered as a fixed premises location. If it is stored at a premises in Hindmarsh, then a Food Registration will be linked to this address. Private drinking water carts, food vending machines, sausage sizzles and cake stalls are also included in the category of temporary or mobile food operators.
  • Community Groups are not-for-profit. Food being sold is solely for the purposes of raising funds for a charity or not-for-profit body. The food handling activity being done by mostly volunteers and will take place at a premises for no more than two consecutive days. You must ensure that the food you sell is safe to consume and you must comply with all the specific responsibilities and obligations for your classification.

What is FoodTrader?

FoodTrader is the online system used to manage the statewide registration of temporary and mobile food (temporary food premises). Implemented in July 2011, FoodTrader is a recognised system to assist:

  • in the monitoring of mobile and temporary food premises operating throughout Victoria, and
  • business owners and community groups to have a central registration for mobile and temporary food premises (mobile food) and simplify the application process when trading in any Victorian municipality.

Any Notifications and Statements of Trade must be completed and lodged online through the FoodTrader website.

How to Register your Business with FoodTrader

To register your business with FoodTrader:

  1. Create a login on the FoodTrader website (or login using an existing account).
  2. Complete the registration application process. This application is free through Hindmarsh Shire Council if linked to a Food Registration at a fixed premises address as mentioned above.
  3. Council's Environmental Health Officers will automatically receive your application to approve it.
  4. submit a statement of trade each time you operate, notifying all relevant councils about the location and schedule of your trading activities in their area.

Ensure that you allow 14-days between lodging your application and when you anticipate to start trading.

After you register, your business is placed into one of the four classes as specified in the Food Act 1984. This classification is established based on the food safety risks associated with your highest-risk food handling activity.

After you apply for FoodTrader

After you apply, FoodTrader will:

  • identify your principal council, and advise them of your application
  • classify your premises
  • determine if you need to register (class 2, 3 and 3A) or notify (class 4)

Lodge a Statement of Trade

Once you have registered with FoodTrader and your application has been approved, you must lodge a statement of trade at least 48 hours before you intend on trading. This informs the relevant councils when and where you will be trading.

Statements of trade can be lodged through FoodTrader, and there is no fee associated with it. You must submit a statement of trade for every event you wish to trade at.

Lodge a statement of trade on the FoodTrader website.

You are exempt from needing a statement of trade if you are catering for an event that is not open to the public, such as a wedding, funeral or a birthday party.

Mobile Food Businesses Operating on Council Property

If you plan to operate your mobile or temporary food premises on Council land, you may need to apply for a street trading permit. Please contact the Local Laws department to discuss how to apply.

Mobile Food Business Operating on Council Property Policy

The purpose of this Policy is to:

  • provide the framework for appropriate planning and resources to be directed at ensuring that food sold by mobile food businesses in the Hindmarsh Shire Council is safe and suitable for consumption, and
  • provide a mechanism to manage the applications/requests from mobile food businesses on the land owned or managed by the Council while ensuring the safety and amenity of the Council’s roads, streets, parks and public spaces.

Mobile Food Business Operating on Council Property Policy(PDF, 328KB)

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