Register a food business

Under the law, most food businesses that sell food to the public need to be registered with the Health Protection Service before opening. You must also follow safe food handling guidelines.

You must register your business if it is:

• a permanent food business
• a non-profit community organisation selling food, such as a school canteen.

You must also register your food stall to sell food at a declared event.

Go to the Food Safety Act, 2001.

When you don't need to register

Certain businesses are exempt from registration.

These include businesses that:

• handle or sell food no more than 5 times a year, where each time is no longer than 3 days and where the food handled or sold is:
  • unpackaged and non-potentially hazardous (for example, plain scones, whole fruit)
  • sold straight after thorough cooking for immediate consumption (for example, a barbecue stall)
• handle or sell food in or from a food transport vehicle that is registered in another state or territory
• transport food but do not handle or sell food
• only sell food contained in closed packaging and is non-potentially hazardous.

Selling food for fundraising

Certain organisations and businesses are also exempt from both registration and the Food Act 2001, if they are run by volunteers and only sell food for fundraising purposes.

Find out more about selling food for fundraising purposes.

Food safety supervisor

All registered food businesses must nominate a food safety supervisor who is trained appropriately. Some non-profit community organisations are exempt from this requirement.

Find out more about food safety supervisors.

Before you apply

Make sure you have the following documents:

• one form of photo identification for each owner or registered agent if you are applying as a company. If you are applying as a company you'll also need a current company extract issued within past 30 days from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
• your food premises and fit-out plan.
• your registration fee.

How to apply

There are two different ways to apply:

• apply online
• or print, fill out and return this form. Contact hps@act.gov.au or call 02 5124 9700.

You can be registered for one, two or three years. You will be send a reminder notice 3 to 4 weeks before your registration renewal date.

After you apply

Your premises will be inspected by ACT Health before your registration is granted.

Once your business has met all requirements of the Food Standards Code and the Food Act 2001, a registration certificate will be sent to you. You must display this publicly at your business.