Starting a Food Business

Most ACT food businesses need to register with the Health Protection Service before opening. You can do this by completing the Access Canberra Food Business New Registration Application Form (online) or Food Business Registration Application.

Apply Online

A registration fee applies and is based on the risk classification of your business. Please see the Registration Information Sheet below for each category.

All applications must be accompanied by your food premises plans. ACT Health also performs an inspection before granting new registrations.

A registration certificate is sent to you once your business has met all requirements of the Food Standards Code and the Food Act 2001. You must display this certificate publicly at your business.

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

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

For more information, visit the Food Safety Supervisors webpage.

The ACT Food Business Fit-out Guide assists in the designing of new food businesses.

The ACT Mobile Food Business Fit-out Guide assists in the design and construction of mobile food businesses in the ACT.

The guides outline minimum construction requirements and best practice recommendations to ensure that fitouts comply with the Food Act 2001 and support food safety.

We recommend all food business owners, designers and builders use these guides as a reference when working with food premises.

Please Note: All applicants should contact the Health Protection Service in the early stages of planning and design to discuss fit-out requirements.

• Food Business – Fit-out Assessment Application Form
• Food Business – Final Fit-out Inspection Checklist

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 (e.g. plain scones, whole fruit); or
  • sold straight after thorough cooking for immediate consumption (e.g. a barbecue stall)
• businesses that handle or sell food in or from a food transport vehicle that is registered in another State/Territory
• businesses that transport food but do not handle or sell food
• businesses that only sell food contained in closed packaging and is non-potentially hazardous

We strongly encourage all stall operators to complete free online I’M ALERT food safety training. You can access this via the Food Safety Training and Resources page.

Non-profit community organisations who sell food for fundraising purposes are exempt from the requirements of the Food Act 2001.

This means you do not need to register with the Health Protection Service or nominate a Food Safety Supervisor unless you are operating at a declared event.

However, all organisations serving food to the public still have a responsibility to ensure the food is safe.

For more information, please see Requirements for Community Organisations. 

• Food Business - Registration Information Sheet
• Food Business New Registration Application online form
• Food Business New Registration Application form
• Food Safety is Your Business Booklet
• Food Handler Responsibilities fact sheet 
• ACT Food Business Fit-out Guide
• ACT Mobile Food Business Fit-out Guide
• Food Stalls Guidelines
• Food Safety Training and Resources
• Home-based food business factsheet