Food business licence
Queensland’s Food Act 2006 and the national Food Safety Standards aim to ensure that food for sale is safe and suitable for human consumption, and to prevent misleading conduct in relation to the sale of food.
A food business licence may be required for premises where you prepare food, handle food and/or serve food to your customers. For instance, if you prepare food in one location and serve food in a different location, each may require a food business licence. If you are taking over an existing food business that already has a licence, you will need to apply for a new one as the existing licence is not transferrable.
An annual food business licence is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Have questions?
Call the Business Hotline on
133 BNE (133 263)
Fixed premises
A food business at a fixed location, where you prepare, handle or serve food. This could be a cafe, restaurant, takeaway, catering, or a home business, among others.
Mobile food business
A mobile food business is generally either a mobile food vehicle, where you can prepare, handle or serve unpackaged food from, or a food vending machine.
Temporary food stall
A temporary food stall at a market or organised event where you prepare, handle or serve unpackaged food, for retail sale.
Star Ratings: Eat Safe Brisbane
Application fee and licence exemptions
Application fees for fixed premises
| Based on size of area for handling or storing food | Fees |
|---|---|
| Minor < 250m2 (applies to most home-based business kitchens) | $922.95 |
| Medium > 250-1000m2 | $1,260.65 |
| Major > 1000m2 | $3,939.45 |
Note: Gross floor area equals all areas associated with the premises used for handling or storage of food.
Your renewal fee will be based on the lowest Eat Safe star rating you receive within the renewal period. The higher your Eat Safe star rating, the higher discount you get on your renewal fees.
Application fees for mobile food business licence
Your food business licence is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
| Based on size of area used for handling or storing food | Fees |
|---|---|
| Minor < 250m2 | $922.95 |
After that, your renewal fee will be based on the lowest Eat Safe star rating you receive within the renewal period. The higher your Eat Safe star rating, the higher discount you get on your renewal fees. Learn how to increase your star rating.
Application fees for temporary food stalls
You can apply for:
- annual licence: if you want to operate a food stall regularly, this option can be convenient and cost-effective. An annual licence requires only one application and fee to operate your stall multiple times in that year. You will need to list the individual markets or events that you wish to operate at. The annual licence is renewable. Council issues renewal notices 60 days before expiry.
- one-off, single-event licence: if you want to operate a food stall only occasionally or at a specific event. This allows you to operate a stall on one occasion only, for up to four consecutive days or up to 12 consecutive days. You cannot renew one-off licences, you will need to apply for a licence each time you operate.
| Type | Detail | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Food stall - annual | Annual licence (renewable) | $922.95 |
| Food stall - one-off, non-renewable | Low risk - up to 4 consecutive days | $365.50 |
| Food stall - one-off, non-renewable | Low risk - up to 12 consecutive days | $405.15 |
| Food stall - one-off, non-renewable | High risk - up to 4 consecutive days | $444.75 |
| Food stall - one-off, non-renewable | High risk - up to 12 consecutive days | $533.75 |
High risk: Full preparation where stalls are preparing, storing, handling or cooking unpackaged food, including cooking food on-site for taste testing
Low risk: Applies to all food stalls which do not meet the high risk category, examples:
- cutting fruit or vegetables
- taste testing that only involves the opening of a pre-packaged food
- selling raw meat, seafood, poultry and dairy
- sale only of potentially hazardous foods (i.e. no preparation).
Charities and religious organisations who need a licence and are listed in Council's register of Type 1 organisations are exempt from the application fees.
Non-profits do not need a licence unless they are selling meals 12 or more times a year. A meal is food served with cutlery and requires seating. For example, a sausage sizzle is not considered a meal that requires seating and use of cutlery.
Licence renewals
An annual food business licence is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. You should receive a renewal invoice in the mail, at least 60 days before the due date. Make sure your contact address is current with Council. If not paid by that date, you will be given an opportunity to restore your licence. A licence can be restored within 30 days of the licence expiry date. After this time, you will be operating without a food business licence.
Food licence renewal fees
The higher your Eat Safe star rating, the higher discount you get on your renewal fees. Learn how to increase your star rating. Your renewal fee is based on the lowest Eat Safe star rating you receive within the renewal period:
Renewal fees for fixed premises or mobile food vehicles
| Area | 5 star | 4 star | 3 star | 0-2 star |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor < 250m2 | $461.50 | $692.25 | $876.60 | $922.95 |
| Medium > 250-1000m2 | $630.40 | $946.15 | $1,197.65 | $1,260.65 |
| Major > 1000m2 | $1,969.70 | $2,954.60 | $3,742.30 | $3,939.45 |
Note: a bed-and-breakfast with minimum of 3 star Eat Safe rating can qualify for 40% off the renewal fee.
Amendments to your licence
Once you get your licence, any change to the business may require an update or amendment to your licence.
When to make an amendment and the fee
You will need to apply for an amendment to your current food business licence if:
- you make alterations or expansions to your food business, such as structural changes to the food preparation or storage areas (note that you should not be operating the kitchen while any major alterations are taking place)
- you plan to add new food activities such as catering to your business
- any updates to the licence details such as a change to the Board of Directors.
| Amendment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Each amendment | $271.55 |
If you are only updating contact details or postal addresses for the current business, you simply need to contact Council to advise of these changes, and do not require an amendment.
If your food business is changing locations, this requires a new application for a food business licence.
Amendment form and design guide
Surrender application form
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