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Food business

A food premise is a business, enterprise or residential premise that involves the handling of food intended for sale.

Whether you are planning to operate out of your home or a commercial premise, you may require some approvals from our Health, Planning and Building teams to get started.

New Food Safety Standard for Food Businesses Starting on 8 December 2023

A new food safety standard called Standard 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tools will take effect in Australia and will impact most food businesses. This new Standard will enable your businesses to manage food safety risks more effectively which will help prevent food-borne illnesses, outbreaks, loss of revenue and reputational damage to your business.

The new Standard will place an obligation on most food businesses to ensure that food handling staff undertake food handler training and appoint at least one trained food safety supervisor. Most food businesses that process unpackaged potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food will also be required to maintain records relating to specific food business activities.

The City will continue to offer its free online food safety training programs: Food safety training - Environmental health for residents. This training program is suitable to meet the training requirements of Standard 3.2.2A for food handlers.

Separate training is required for the appointed food safety supervisors. The WA Department of Health website contains a list of online training providers.

You can find information on the requirements of the new Standard, and the types of food business that are impacted on the WA Department of Health website.

Business self-assessment

Our Business Self-Assessment tool will help you navigate the approvals you may need.

Business frequently asked questions

What sort of businesses require a food licence?

  • Takeaway shops/cafes/restaurants/bars
  • Home businesses (food preparation, cake-making, jams etc)
  • Supermarkets
  • Bakery/butchers/seafood
  • School canteens
  • Delicatessens
  • Bottle shops

 

What approvals do I require for a new food premise/business?

We recommend that you first use our Business Self-Assessment tool to help you navigate the approvals you may need and then use the guide below to apply.  

Health Approvals

You will need to register your new business with the City’s Health team by completing a Food Business Notification & Registration Form and ensure that you have provided any supporting information and payment of fees.

Our online form below is the best way to apply for your licence. Simply click the link to get started.

Food Business Notification and Registration form

Planning Approvals

Home based businesses will require either a letter of compliance or a development approval, depending on which category your business falls under. Please review our Home Business Information to determine which category applies to you.

Businesses operating from a commercial premise may require development approval if you are proposing to do any of the following:

  • Open a new business or change the nature of an existing business
  • Change the operating hours of a business
  • Increase the number of patrons and/or staff on site
  • Increase the floor area in which you want to operate
  • External building works (including changes to the area and/or type of signage)
  • Provide car parking or increase/reduce car parking
  • Make changes to a heritage listed site or protected building

Our online forms are the best way to apply for your approval. Simply click the link below to view further information and get started.

Building Approvals

If you are constructing a new building or making any internal, external or structural alterations to an existing premises (including fitouts) then you will require building approval. 

Please review our Building Services Information for further information on building application requirements.

Our online form is the best way to apply for your approval. Simply click the link below to get started.

Building Application form
 

 

I want to take over an existing food premise, what do I need to do?

If you are looking to take over an existing food premises, the following steps need to be taken:

  1. New owner to complete a Food Business Notification and Registration form and pay new registration fees.
  2. Old owner to advise in writing that the business has been sold (including the name and address of business, date sold and old owners name). This can be emailed to health@wanneroo.wa.gov.au

 

I want to take over an existing food premise, what do I need to do?

If you are looking to take over an existing food premises, the following steps need to be taken:

  1. New owner to complete a Food Business Notification and Registration form and pay new registration fees.
  2. Old owner to advise in writing that the business has been sold (including the name and address of business, date sold and old owners name). This can be emailed to health@wanneroo.wa.gov.au

 

What is the 'Food Premise Risk Rating'?

The City of Wanneroo uses a risk bases classification system for food businesses which is determined by the type of food prepared and who the food is prepared for (eg. elderly people and children).

Food premises are classed into:

  • Exempt: eg. newsagencies selling packaged confectionery
  • Low Risk: eg. bars selling beverages
  • Medium Risk: eg. most cafes and restaurants
  • High Risk: eg. a food catering businesses for nursing homes and child care centres
     

 

How do I pay for my food premise renewal?

Renewals are carried out annually and payment of the Food Business Safety Service Charge is due each September. All food businesses are required to pay the annual fee to cover the costs involved with inspecting, monitoring, sampling and other Local Government responsibilities associated with the Food Act 2008.

A renewal letter will be issued each year with payment options.

 

Will my food premise be inspected?

One of our Health Officers will need to carry out an inspection of your food business prior to operating. Routine inspections will also be undertaken throughout the year.

 

Further information and resources for businesses