The process of telling your local enforcement agency that a food business exists and where it operates, usually before it starts trading.
The process of telling your local enforcement agency that a food business exists and where it operates, usually before it starts trading. Food business notification is the requirement for most food businesses in Australia to formally notify their relevant enforcement agency, normally the local council, of their existence and details before they begin handling food. The requirement flows from Standard 3.2.2 of the Food Standards Code, which obliges businesses to notify certain information to the appropriate authority. Notification is about the regulator knowing who you are, what food activities you carry out and where. The details typically captured include the trading name, contact details, the location of the premises and the general nature of the food handling. Notification is not the same as approval to trade; it is the first step that puts a business on the regulator's radar so it can be inspected and supported. In practice, a new cafe, takeaway, market stall or home-based food business usually completes a notification form with its local council before opening. Many councils now run this online, and mobile or temporary food businesses often notify a single home council that then shares details with other councils where the business operates. Notification is generally free or low cost and is separate from any registration, licence or approval the council may also require. Failing to notify before trading can itself be an offence under the state or territory Food Act, so most operators complete it as part of their pre-opening checklist alongside development and health approvals. A couple launching a weekend coffee van in regional Victoria complete their council's online food business notification, listing the van, their contact details and the markets they plan to attend, before they serve their first customer.
Frequently asked questions
Is notification the same as registration?
No. Notification simply tells the regulator you exist and what you do, while registration is a formal approval or licence to operate that some states and councils also require.
Who do I notify?
Usually your local council as the enforcement agency, though the exact body depends on your state or territory Food Act and the type of food business.
Does notification cost money?
Notification is often free or low cost, but any separate registration, approval or licence may attract a fee set by your council or state.
When do I have to notify?
Generally before you start handling food for sale. Notifying late or not at all can be an offence under the relevant Food Act.
Do mobile and temporary businesses need to notify?
Yes. Mobile food vans and temporary stalls generally notify a single home council, which can then share the details with other councils where the business trades.
