It is a requirement that all food businesses in Queensland comply with all requirements of the Food Act 2006 and Food Standards Code.

All licensable food businesses including fixed premises, mobile premises and temporary premises are required to be licensed by Council. If you wish to operate a licensable food business you are required to obtain a licence from Council by applying to the Environment and Health Section. The following information will assist you in ensuring your application is complete and that you have considered everything that is required to apply for a food business licence.

Every licensable food business is required to have a Food Safety Supervisor, please refer to the Food Safety Supervisor page for more information.

Depending on the type of business you run you may be required to have a Food Safety Program, refer to the Food Safety Programs page for more information.

Other Council Approvals

Establishing a food business premises whether in a new or existing building requires compliance with a range of legislation. Application may also be needed from other sections of Council including Town Planning, Building, Plumbing and Trade Waste. You are required to make separate enquiries ain relation to these areas. The information on this page is only in relation to the acitvities delegaed to the Environment and Health section.

Making an Application 

Fit-out approval

When opening a new food business it is recommended that you pre-submit for approval your plans for the kitchen. Council Environmental Health Officers will assess the details in the plan and provide Conditions of Approval.  This will assist in making any necessary changes before construction commences. Officers are available, by appointment, to meet you at the proposed food business location to discuss your plans.

When submitting your plans details on all finishes to surfaces, details on cooking equipment location, exhaust canopy, hand wash basin, washing up facilities, coolroom/freezer /refrigerator locations are to be marked. 

Plans are not required to be professionally drawn but must be provided with enough information for Council to approve the plan.  Please refer to the Qld Health Design and Fit-Out Guide for Food Businesses for relevant information.

Food Licence

A Food Business Licence Application is to be submitted with the required fee not more than 10 business days prior to opening.  The licence will not be issued until Council’s Environmental Health Officers have conducted a final inspection and approved the fit-out, and the business, as ready to operate. 

The business is not to start operating/preparing food until the licence has been issued by Council.

Licence Renewal

The licence will expire on 30 June each year.  Council issues a renewal notice 2 months prior to the expiry.

Should you fail to renew by the due date a Restoration Notice will be issued with an additional fee. Your licence will be cancelled if you fail to renew after a Retoration Notice has been issued.

Buying an existing business

Council recommends prospective purchasers of a licensed food business, apply for a Health Inspection, fees apply, prior to settlement. This allows an Environmental Health Officer to inspect the premises to identify any potential issues.  The current licensee is also required to approve the application.

Transfer of Food Licence

Food Business licences are not transferrable.  If you are taking over an existing licensed food business you will need to submit a Food Business Licence Application.