QLD Licensable Food Businesses

What Counts as a Licensable Food Business in Queensland? Under the Food Act 2006, a Queensland food business is licensable if it carries on an activity — such as preparing, processing or selling food — that meets the Act's definitions. In practice, most hospitality operations need a food business licence. That includes restaurants, cafes, takeaways, mobile food vans, caterers and food manufacturers. If you handle unpackaged potentially hazardous food for sale, you almost certainly need to be licensed by your local council. This guide explains when a licence is required, the common exemptions, how to apply, and what it takes to keep your licence in good standing year after year. For the wider legal context, start with our Queensland Food Act 2006 overview . Which Activities Trigger a Licence? The licence is tied to the activity, not just the shopfront. Licensable activities typically include: Preparing and serving meals — restaurants, cafes, bistros and pubs Making and selling takeaway food Operating a mobile food van or food truck Catering, including off-site functions Manufacturing food for sale Retailing unpackaged potentially hazardous food, such as a deli slicing smallgoods Because the trigger is the activity, adding a new line of business — say, a cafe that starts catering weddings — can change your obligations. Confirm with your council before expanding. What Is Exempt From Licensing? Exemptions in Queensland are narrow and easy to misread. Some activities are exempt or sit under a different framework: Charity and community fundraising within specific limits Sale of low-risk, pre-packaged, shelf-stable goods only Primary producers, who fall under the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000 Some private, home-based sales of low-risk products Even where an activity is exempt from licensing, the general hygiene and handling rules of the Food Standards Code still apply. Always confirm your status with your local council rather than assuming. How Do You Apply for a Food Licence? Applications go through your local council, and assessment can take several weeks — so plan ahead. You will typically need to provide: A fit-out or floor plan of the premises An equipment list, including refrigeration and handwashing facilities Your proposed menu or product range Food Safety Supervisor details, where required An overview of your food safety system and records Getting these right the first time avoids costly delays before opening. Our registration step-by-step guide works as a practical checklist, and certification tracking keeps your FSS evidence ready to submit. How Do You Maintain and Renew Your Licence? Queensland food licences are renewed annually, and renewal depends on ongoing compliance. To keep your licence in good standing, maintain: Temperature logs showing cold food at or below 5°C and hot food at or above 60°C Cleaning and sanitising records via cleaning schedules Current FSS certification Pest control evidence Allergen processes, including PEAL allergen labelling A licence can be suspended or cancelled for serious or repeated breaches, so treat renewal as a rolling obligation rather than a once-a-year scramble. An internal audit before renewal — see our audit tools — surfaces problems while you still have time to fix them. Pre-Renewal Checklist for Queensland Operators Run this quick self-audit a month before your renewal date so any gaps are fixed before the council looks. Temperature records: a continuous run of fridge, freezer, cold-holding (at or below 5°C) and hot-holding (at or above 60°C) logs, with corrective actions for any out-of-range readings. FSS status: your Food Safety Supervisor is nominated, current and reasonably available, with the certificate on file. Cleaning evidence: a completed cleaning and sanitising schedule. Pest control: recent treatment records and no signs of activity. Allergens and labelling: a current allergen matrix under PEAL and correct date marking under Standard 1.2.5. Staff training: handler training records that satisfy Standard 3.2.2A. If any line is incomplete, fix it now rather than at renewal. A digital workspace makes this checklist a five-minute review instead of a filing-cabinet excavation. What Happens If You Trade Without a Licence? Operating a licensable food business without a licence in Queensland is an offence under the Food Act 2006. Councils can issue fines, order the business to stop trading, and pursue prosecution for serious cases. Beyond the legal penalty, trading unlicensed undermines customer trust and can void aspects of your insurance. If you are unsure whether an activity is licensable — for example, a home-based food venture or an occasional market stall — contact your council before you start, rather than after. Confirming your status early is far cheaper than an enforcement response. Our Queensland Food Act 2006 overview explains the enforcement powers councils hold. Frequently Asked Questions Do food trucks need a licence in Queensland? Yes. Mobile food vans and food trucks that prepare or sell potentially hazardous food are licensable under the Food Act 2006. You may also need to notify or register in each council area where you trade. How long does a licence application take? Assessment can take several weeks, particularly if a premises inspection is required. Apply well before your intended opening date to avoid delays. Is charity fundraising exempt? Charity and community fundraising can be exempt within specific limits, but the exemption is narrow. Confirm with your council, and note that safe food handling is still expected. Can my licence be cancelled? Yes. Councils can suspend or cancel a licence for serious or repeated breaches, such as ongoing temperature abuse, pest problems or unsafe preparation. Maintaining records and acting on corrective actions is the best protection. Do I need a separate licence for catering? Adding off-site catering can change your obligations and may affect your licence co