Food business licence fees

Local councils are responsible for licensing food businesses within their area and may charge fees to recover their costs. The fee structure varies across for each council. When setting fees, they consider:

• administrative costs in recording and issuing the licence
• costs to assess the application
• costs for undertaking inspections
• administrative costs in maintaining a register of licensed food businesses
• administrative costs of recording details of mobile food businesses into a state register.
• accreditation and review of audits for food safety programs

Any fees charged by a local council must not be greater than the cost of providing the service or taking action.

Some fees or charges may apply to food businesses that do not need a licence. For example, as mobile food businesses only require one licence in order to operate anywhere in the state. Where a mobile food business operates in a second local government area, the second local government may charge fees for any service they provide to the business.

More information

• Fees charged by local government under the Food Act 2006. This guideline outlines the activities for which fees may be set and the criteria for determining fee structures.

Contact your local council to find out about their fee structure and how to apply for a food business licence.

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