Food businesses

• Takeaway shops, cafés, restaurants, bars;

• Bakeries, butchers, seafood premises;

• Supermarkets, delis, bottle shops selling food; or

• School canteens and childcare services.

• Low-risk food prepared in a residential kitchen; or

• Cakes, biscuits, slices, jams and similar items.

If you operate a food truck or mobile food business, visit food trucks.

If you operate a Family Day Care and provide or handle food for children, visit family day care.

• Charity or fundraising food stalls;

• Low-risk temporary stalls;

• Sausage sizzles and community events;

• Packaged non-hazardous food sellers; or

• Shops or online operators selling sealed, shelf-stable packaged foods only.

Home based businesses

Require either a letter of compliance or a Development (Planning) Approval, depending on which category your business falls under. Refer to home business to determine which category applies to you.

Businesses operating from a commercial premise

Development (Planning) Approval may be required if you:

• Open a new business or change the nature of an existing one;

• Change operating hours;

• Increase staff or patron numbers;

• Increase the floor area used for food preparation or seating;

• Undertake external building works or new signage; or

• Operate a home-based food business (depending on category).

A Building Permit is required for:

• Fit-outs;

• Structural changes;

• New exhaust canopies, plumbing, sinks or grease traps; or

• Construction of a new food premises.

If no building work is proposed, a Building Permit is not required.

Health approval is required for all food businesses including:

Registration: Food businesses based in the City of Wanneroo are required to be registered with the City. Registration occurs once and remains in place until the business is closed, sold or the City cancels it.

Notification: Food Businesses who are deemed “Exempt” or that are registered with another local authority are required to notify the City. Upon notifying the City of Wanneroo, these businesses will receive an Acknowledgement of Notification. Acknowledgement of Notification occurs once and remains in place until the business ceases operation, is sold or the City cancels it.

Both registration and notification are completed through the Food Business Notification and Registration Form (see below).

For detailed information, including the application process, timeframe and fees, refer to development (planning) approval.

Documents to prepare and submit

All development applications must be accompanied by a completed checklist. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant with a list of outstanding items.  

How to submit your application

To apply, choose your preferred method below and remember to submit your supporting documents along with the application form:

• Option 1 – Apply online (preferred): Apply through the online lodgement portal.
• Option 2 – In person: Download and complete the Application Form PDF (see below), then submit it with all supporting documentation including the checklist at the City of Wanneroo Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.
• Option 3 – By post: Download and complete the Application Form PDF (see below), then mail it with all supporting documentation including the checklist to City of Wanneroo, Locked Bag 1, Wanneroo WA 6946.

Fees

View current planning fees.

Planning assessment timeframes

• Up to 60 days for most applications
• Up to 90 days if consultation with the public or other public authority is required.

The assessment period commences once the City has received and accepted a complete application, including all required plans, supporting information and application fees.

Development (Planning) Approval, where required, must be issued before a Building Permit can be obtained.

Application for Development (Planning) Approval (PDF)

A Building Permit is required for internal or external works including fit-outs, plumbing or exhaust installation, or any structural changes.

Documents to prepare

For detailed information, including the application process, timeframe, and fees, refer to Building Permit page. 

How to submit your application

You can submit your Building Permit application:

• Option 1 – Apply online (preferred): Apply through the online lodgement portal.
• Option 2 – In person: With all supporting documentation at the City of Wanneroo Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.
• Option 3 – By mail: With all supporting documentation to City of Wanneroo, Locked Bag 1, Wanneroo WA 6946.

Note: A completed BA1 or BA2 form must be uploaded or attached with all submissions.

Fees

View current building fees

Timeframes

• Certified applications: within 10 business days
• Uncertified applications: within 25 business days

If further information is required, you will be contacted. The requested information must be provided within 21 days or within an agreed timeframe.

Registration is required for those food businesses located in the City of Wanneroo.

Depending on your business, you may need to provide:

• A floor plan showing food preparation, cooking and storage areas;

• A list of all foods to be prepared and ingredients used;

• Volume and frequency of production;

• Detailed manufacturing process, including temperatures and cooking times;

• Information on where ingredients are purchased and how they are transported;

• Storage details for raw ingredients and finished products;

• Examples of labels to be used;

• Method of sale (e.g. online, markets, direct sale);

• How shelf life will be determined (recommended via a NATA-accredited laboratory); or

• Transport method for finished products.

Fees apply. Once registered, annual renewal will be required when advised by the City.

Food Business Notification and Registration Form

Notification applies to Food Businesses who are deemed “Exempt” or that are registered with another local authority are required to notify the City. Upon notifying the City of Wanneroo, these businesses will receive an Acknowledgement of Notification. 

Acknowledgement of Notification occurs once and remains in place until the business ceases operation, is sold or the City cancels it.

Food Business Notification and Registration Form

If you process, handle or sell raw pet meat, you must complete the form below in addition to the Food Business Notification and Registration Form.

Animal Food Processing Premises and Retail Pet Meat Shop Notification Form (PDF)

Only low-risk foods can be produced in a standard residential kitchen. 

Examples include:

• Jams and marmalades;

• Biscuits, scones, buns and shortbread;

• Nougat and fudges;

• Meringues and Turkish delight;

• Pickled onions;

• Chutneys, relishes and sauces boiled or cooked to achieve a pH below 4.6;

• Herb vinegars with a pH below 4.5;

• Dry curry powders, spice mixes (if ingredients are purchased from an approved food business);

• Cakes that do not contain cream, do not require refrigeration, and do not require additional decorating or preparation; and

• Repacking bulk low-risk confectionery.

These products will still be assessed by an Environmental Health Officer to determine whether they are low risk.

Note: Domestic kitchens are not suitable for preparing medium or high-risk food. To produce these foods, you will need to:

• Fit out a separate room to commercial-kitchen standards (Standard 3.2.3), or

• Hire a commercial kitchen.

If you are purchasing an existing food premises:

New owner must:

• Complete a Food Business Notification and Registration Form below; and

• Pay application and inspection fees.

• To establish if there are any health legislative requirements, fees and charges and outstanding health orders associated with the food business you may wish to request your settlement agent to complete a settlement enquiry agreement.

Current owner must:

• Notify the City in writing of the sale via email health@wanneroo.wa.gov.au; and

• Provide business details, date sold and outgoing owner’s name.

Food Business Notification and Registration Form

All food handlers must complete accredited food safety training.

Some businesses must nominate a trained Food Safety Supervisor.

For detailed guidance refer to the Food Safety and Training page.

Pre-operation inspection

An Environmental Health Officer must inspect the premises before opening.

Regular inspections are conducted throughout the year.

Annual renewal

An annual Food Business Safety Service Charge is payable each September.

A renewal notice will be issued.