Food Safety Requirements & Council Information in WA

In Western Australia, food businesses are regulated under the Food Act 2008 (WA) and the Food Standards Code. You must register or notify your local government before you start trading. Environmental Health Officers inspect on a risk basis, and food safety complaints go to your local government's environmental health team. Quick facts: Governing law: Food Act 2008 (WA) and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code; Register or notify: Register or notify your local government (council) before you start trading; Risk classification: WA uses a risk-based priority classification (P1/P2/P3) to group food businesses; Inspections: Local government Environmental Health Officers inspect at a frequency set by your risk classification; Food safety program: Higher-risk businesses, especially those serving vulnerable populations, may need an audited food safety program (FSP); Skills and knowledge: Food handlers must have the skills and knowledge required under the Food Standards Code for the work they do; Supervision: Some local governments and higher-risk businesses require a nominated food safety supervisor; Regulator: Local governments administer food regulation, supported by the Department of Health WA; Last verified: 2026. How do I register a food business in Western Australia? To register a food business in Western Australia, you must register or notify your local government (council) before you start trading, as required under the Food Act 2008 (WA). This applies whether you run a cafe, restaurant, takeaway, home-based food business, food truck or market stall. Your local government assesses the business using a risk-based priority classification (P1/P2/P3) , which reflects the type of food you handle and who you serve. This classification determines your inspection frequency and whether additional requirements, such as an audited food safety program, apply to you. Because processes and forms differ between councils, confirm the exact registration or notification steps, timing and documents with the environmental health team at your local government before you begin trading. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. How often do local governments inspect food businesses in WA? In Western Australia, inspection frequency is risk-based rather than the same for every business. Local government Environmental Health Officers inspect more often where the food handling carries greater risk and less often for lower-risk operations. Your priority classification (P1/P2/P3) is the main driver of how frequently you are inspected. Businesses that prepare high-risk foods or serve vulnerable populations, such as aged care or child care, generally fall into higher-priority categories and receive closer oversight. Officers check food handling, temperature control, cleaning, pest management and record keeping. To confirm how often your specific premises will be inspected, ask your local government, as the schedule follows their assessment of your risk classification. How do I make a food safety complaint in Western Australia? To make a food safety complaint in Western Australia, contact the environmental health team at the local government responsible for the area where the business operates. Councils investigate concerns such as poor hygiene, unsafe food handling, suspected food poisoning and pest problems. When you report, include the business name and address, the date and time, what you observed or purchased, and any receipts, photos or packaging you still have. This helps the Environmental Health Officers assess and follow up on your complaint. If a matter needs to be escalated or sits beyond a single local government, it can be raised with the Department of Health WA , which supports local governments in administering food regulation across the state. How much does food business registration cost in WA? Food business registration and renewal fees in Western Australia vary by local government and by your risk classification . There is no single statewide figure, because each council sets its own fees and higher-risk categories typically attract higher charges. To get an accurate cost for your business, check the fee schedule published by your local government or contact its environmental health team directly. Confirm both the initial registration fee and any ongoing annual or renewal fees that apply to your priority classification. Do I need a Food Safety Supervisor in Western Australia? Western Australia's core requirement under the Food Standards Code is that food handlers have the skills and knowledge in food safety and hygiene appropriate to the work they carry out. This applies to businesses across the state regardless of size. Separately, some local governments and higher-risk businesses require a nominated food safety supervisor to oversee food handling practices, particularly where a business serves vulnerable populations or operates an audited food safety program. Because supervisor requirements and accepted training can differ between councils, confirm with your local government whether a nominated supervisor is required for your business and what evidence of skills and knowledge they expect. This is general guidance, not legal advice.