Selling food at an event

If you are planning to sell food at an event – such as a show, fete, concert, market or major event – you may need to register.

Registration requirements depend on:

• the food you are selling
• the type, size and length of the event
• if you are selling food for fundraising
• if you are a market stall
• if you are a mobile food premises
• If you are exempt from registration.

Existing fixed-location food businesses such as restaurants and cafes may have to get an additional registration to sell food at an event.

There are specific registration and operational requirements for selling food at Declared events.

Declared events

Some large events pose a higher health risk for the community, due to their size, and are specially regulated under the Food Act 2001 as Declared events.

Declared events include:

• Enlighten Night Noodle Market
• National Folk Festival
• National Multicultural Festival.

Find other event declarations on the ACT Legislation Register.

To sell food at a Declared event you must:

• register specifically for the Declared event
• or operate under a pre-existing ACT Food Business registration.

This includes food businesses which are normally exempt from the requirement to register.

ACT registered food businesses

If your food business holds a current ACT food business registration and you will operate at a Declared event under the same trading name, you don’t need to complete any additional registration.

You must display a copy of your current ACT registration certificate at the event.

If you want to operate under a different trading name, or your food businesses is registered interstate, you must apply for a registration to sell food at a Declared event.

Register to sell food at a Declared event

You must review the operational requirements for market stalls, then complete and submit your application at least 14 days before the event. Registration is free.

There are 2 ways to apply:

• fill out the Declared event food business registration online form
• print and fill out the Declared event food business registration form and return it to the Health Protection Service by post, email, fax or in person.

Declared event registration certificate

If your application is approved, you will receive a Declared event registration certificate. You must always display your certificate in your stall during the event.

Food safety supervisors for Declared events

All stalls at a Declared event must have a food safety supervisor. A food safety supervisor must be reasonably available at the stall throughout the event to make sure all food is handled, cooked and served safely.

Find out more about food safety supervisors.

Find out more about food safety for market stalls.