Skip to main content

Brisbane Food Trucks

Link copied

Apply for approval to operate a Gourmet Food Truck. Explore the Brisbane Food Trucks initiative.

About the Gourmet Food Truck initiative

Council’s Food Trucks initiative supports Brisbane's Gourmet Food Truck industry by activating public spaces with gourmet food experiences.

The initiative provides easy access to booking sites in Council-controlled spaces, such as road reserves and parks, and helps the food truck industry better utilise these areas. 

It also provides residents with unique and creative food experiences that celebrate the city's cultural diversity and subtropical climate.

Benefits

  • Visibility for your business with a profile on the Brisbane Food Trucks website.
  • Access premium sites on Council land, which require pre-booking.
  • Access drive-up sites on Council road reserves, with no pre-booking required.

Brisbane Food Trucks website

The Brisbane Food Trucks website is a one-stop-shop for gourmet food trucks. 

It features an interactive map showing the food trucks serving across Brisbane now, later and at future events.

The website also allows food truck operators to create profiles, upload menu information and use GPS technology to let customers track their location and find food trucks nearby.

Explore the site
Food trucks in Victoria park

Looking for something else

Running a food business

Food safety

Apply for a food licence

Download the Gourmet Food Truck information kit

Do you want to operate a Gourmet Food Truck?

Download our guide to learn about the Brisbane Food Trucks initiative and find out if you meet the criteria.

Apply for a Gourmet Food Truck approval

If your food truck meets the criteria, you can apply for a Gourmet Food Truck approval.

The application process has 2 stages:

  • design assessment  

  • self-assessable consent.

Download the roadmap to understand the 2-stage process before applying for approval.

lightbulb

Did you know?

You can apply to be part of the Brisbane Food Trucks website, even if you don’t want to apply for a Gourmet Food Truck Approval. To do this, submit a design assessment application.

1 Before you apply

There are things you must do before applying for a Gourmet Food Truck approval.

  • Read the Food Truck Information Kit to understand the mandatory requirements to operate a Gourmet Food Truck, where you can operate and approval conditions.
  • Understand the fees involved in your application.
     
Application types Fee
Design assessment $465.20 each application

Application fee for consent

(for businesses that have received design approval)

 $19.30 each application
Occupation fee $184.20 per year

These fees don’t attract GST.

information outline

Note

You must be approved as a mobile food business to apply for a Gourmet Food Truck approval.

2 Stage 1: Submit your design assessment application

Complete the Brisbane Gourmet Food Truck design assessment online application form.

You must provide:

  • your mobile food business licence
  • your Eat Safe certificate (or equivalent)
  • photos of the vehicle, menu, food, a logo and profile picture
  • the vehicle’s dimensions.

You can pay the design assessment fee using a Visa or Mastercard.

Apply for approval

Assessment process

Council will assess the application against the mandatory requirements. The assessment will be conducted by the Gourmet Food Truck design review panel.

Applications that include all the required information will be processed within 10 working days.

You’ll be notified of the outcome of your application during this time. 

If successful, you’ll be provided with a reference number to use to apply for a self-assessable permit.

3 Stage 2: Apply for a food truck consent

Use your reference number to complete the self-assessable gourmet food truck application online form. 

You can pay the application fee and occupation fee using a Visa or Mastercard.

Apply for a consent
4 After you apply

If your food truck meets the requirements, you will be provided with a Gourmet Food Truck approval to download.

If your application isn't approved, you can still trade from a range of locations. You must make sure you have the relevant approvals.

tip

Important things to know

  • You must print your Gourmet Food Truck Approval and keep it in your vehicle at all times when trading on Council land.
  • Approvals are issued on a per vehicle basis for a period of 12 months. They must be renewed 6 weeks before the expiry date. 
  • An approval is specific to each food truck and is not transferable between vehicles.

More information

For more information about the Brisbane Food Trucks initiative:

Frequently asked questions

To operate a food truck permanently on your property, you must have a fixed premises business licence. 

A mobile food vehicle permanently on private property is considered a ‘restaurant’ under Brisbane City Plan 2014. This means it may require planning approval.

Learn more about fixed premises licences.

A gourmet food experience includes the offer of high-quality, freshly prepared food that celebrates the city’s cultural diversity and subtropical climate.

Find out more about operating gourmet food trucks.

If your food truck isn't approved as a Gourmet Food Truck, you can still trade from a variety of locations. 

You must make sure you have the relevant approvals, such as: