Food Safety Requirements & Council Information in VIC

In Victoria, food businesses are regulated under the Food Act 1984 (Vic) and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. You register or notify your premises with your local council, which classifies it Class 1-4 by risk. Council environmental health officers inspect premises, and you make food-safety complaints to that council. Quick facts: Governing law: Food Act 1984 (Vic) and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code; Premises classification: Victorian Class 1-4 system, based on food-safety risk (Class 1 highest, Class 4 lowest); Who you register with: Your local council (the Department of Health oversees the system at state level); Food Safety Supervisor: Required for Class 1 and Class 2 food businesses in Victoria; Mobile & temporary food: Many temporary, mobile and food-vehicle businesses register through Streatrader; Inspections: Risk-based inspections by council environmental health officers; some classes also have their food safety program audited; Food Standards Code: The FSANZ Code sets the food-handling, labelling and hygiene standards that apply Australia-wide; Last verified: 2026. How do I register a food business in Victoria? To register a food business in Victoria, you apply to your local council before you start trading. Under the Food Act 1984 (Vic), the council classifies your premises into one of four risk classes and confirms whether you need to register or simply notify. Victoria uses a Class 1-4 system . Class 1 (the highest risk, such as hospitals and aged-care serving ready-to-eat food to vulnerable people) and Class 2 (most cafes, restaurants and takeaways handling potentially hazardous unpackaged food) generally require registration and a food safety program. Class 3 is lower-risk work such as some pre-packaged food or sausage sizzles, requiring registration with simpler records. Class 4 is the lowest risk and only needs a one-off notification to council. If you run a temporary, mobile or food-vehicle business, you often register and manage your trading through Streatrader , Victoria's online system for these premises, which lets you notify multiple councils where you trade. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm your premises class and the exact application steps with your local council before you begin. What are the food premises classes in Victoria? Victoria classifies food premises into Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 according to the food-safety risk of what they handle. Your class determines whether you register or notify, and whether you need a food safety program. Class 1 is the highest risk: premises serving ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food mainly to vulnerable groups, such as hospitals and aged-care facilities. Class 2 covers premises handling potentially hazardous unpackaged food, which includes most cafes, restaurants and takeaways. Class 1 and Class 2 businesses generally need registration and a documented food safety program. Class 3 is lower-risk work such as some pre-packaged food and sausage sizzles, needing registration with simpler record-keeping. Class 4 is the lowest risk and only requires notification to council. Your local council makes the final classification, so confirm your class with them. How often do councils inspect food businesses in Victoria? In Victoria, council environmental health officers inspect food businesses on a risk basis, so higher-risk premises are generally inspected more often than lower-risk ones. Inspection frequency is not a single fixed figure and varies between councils. For classes that must keep a food safety program (typically Class 1 and Class 2), officers may also audit or assess that program to check it is being followed in practice, alongside inspecting hygiene, temperature control, cleaning and pest management. Because frequency depends on your class and your council's own program, confirm how often your premises will be inspected directly with your local council's environmental health team. How do I make a food safety complaint in Victoria? To make a food-safety complaint in Victoria, contact the environmental health team at the local council responsible for the premises. Councils investigate complaints about food businesses, including hygiene, food handling, and suspected foodborne illness. Give the business name and address, the date, and a clear description of what you observed, keeping any receipts or packaging if you can. The council can inspect the premises and take action under the Food Act 1984 (Vic). If a matter needs escalation beyond the council, the Department of Health oversees food regulation at the state level. Start with the local council, as it is the day-to-day regulator for food premises in Victoria. How much does food business registration cost in Victoria? Food business registration fees in Victoria vary by premises class and by council , so there is no single state-wide figure. Higher-risk classes that require a food safety program generally attract higher fees than lower-risk or notification-only premises. Fees are set locally, and each council publishes its own charges. Check your council's Fees & Charges schedule for the current registration and renewal amounts that apply to your class. Treat any figures you see elsewhere as a guide only and confirm the exact cost with your local council before you apply. Do I need a Food Safety Supervisor in Victoria? In Victoria, Class 1 and Class 2 food businesses must appoint a Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) . The FSS is a nominated person with the training and knowledge to recognise, prevent and manage food-safety hazards on the premises, and to supervise other food handlers. Lower-risk premises (Class 3 and Class 4) are not generally required to appoint an FSS, though all food handlers still have obligations under the Food Standards Code. Confirm the current FSS requirements and accepted training with your local council, as the council administers registration and food-safety obligations for premises in its area.