Apply for a food licence
Follow these steps to apply for a food business licence. Find out how to update or renew a current licence.
What is a food business licence?
A food business licence is a licence issued by Council that allows food businesses to operate in Brisbane.
A food business licence ensures that you meet health and safety standards.
Licensing regulates:
- the suitability of the food business premises and the operator
- hygiene practices
- food storage
- handling procedures
- overall cleanliness of a premises.
Types of licences
There are 3 types of food licences in Brisbane.
- Fixed premises licence: for businesses in a fixed location, such as restaurants and cafes.
- Temporary food stall licence: for businesses operating from a temporary set-up, such as food stalls.
- Mobile licence: for businesses operating from a mobile food vehicle, such as food trucks, and food vending machines.
Fixed premises and mobile licences are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Who needs a licence?
You need a licence to run a business where you:
- prepare or manufacture food
- sell or serve unpackaged food.
Non-profit organisations need a food business licence if they sell:
- meals prepared by the organisation at a particular location at least 12 days each financial year.
You don’t need a licence to sell:
- pre-packaged food prepared by a licensed food business
- whole fruit or vegetables
- seeds, spices, dried herbs or fruit, tea leaves, coffee beans or ground coffee
- unpackaged snacks that are not potentially hazardous, e.g. lollies, chocolates, cakes and biscuits without cut fruit, dairy fillings or icing
- drinks such as tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcohol.
Apply for a new food licence
You need to apply for a food licence if you’re:
- starting a new business
- taking over an existing business (licences are not transferable).
Prepare for your application
You need to:
- determine which type of food licence you need
- understand your food safety obligations. Check to see if you need to submit a food safety program and nominate food safety supervisors?
Check your fees
Each type of licence has its own set of fees. Fees are payable when you submit your application.
Application fees for fixed and mobile food business licences
| Based on size of area for handling or storing food | Fee |
|---|---|
| Minor <250 m2 | $922.95 |
| Medium >250-1000 m2 | $1,260.65 |
| Major >1000 m2 | $3,939.45 |
Application fees for temporary food stall licence
| Type | Detail | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Food stall - annual | Annual licence (renewable) | $922.95 |
| Food stall - one-off, non-renewable | Low-risk - up to 4 consecutive days | $365.50 |
| Low-risk - up to 12 consecutive days | $405.15 | |
| High-risk - up to 4 consecutive days | $444.75 | |
| High-risk - up to 12 consecutive days | $533.75 |
Annual licence: Allows you to operate a stall multiple times, in that year. You need to supply a list of the markets or events you plan to attend.
One-off, single-event licence: Allows you to operate a stall on one occasion for up to 4 days in a row or up to 12 days in a row.
Short term (4 day and 12 day) temporary food stall licences are not renewable.
High-risk: For stalls involved in preparing, storing, handling or cooking unpackaged food, including cooking food on-site for taste testing.
Low-risk: For stalls involved in activities that don’t meet the high-risk category, for example:
- cutting fruit or vegetables
- taste testing of pre-packaged food
- retail sale of seafood, or dairy
- retail sale only of potentially hazardous foods (i.e. no preparation).
You can schedule an advisory call before you submit your application.
An Environmental Health Officer can check that your application is compliant.
To book, call our Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) or use the Food business licence application form.
Consider your fees for the pre-lodgement meeting.
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Consultation and report | $334.80 |
| Onsite visit and report | $588.10 |
Apply online and pay the relevant fee.
Alternatively, complete the application form and:
- lodge it in person at a Council Customer Centre
- mail the form and cheque payment to:
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001
Prepare for an inspection
Use the Eat Safe checklists to prepare for your inspection. The result of the Council inspection determines your Eat Safe star rating.
Licence approval
We will notify you verbally or by email once approved.
Once you receive your licence in the mail, you can commence trade.
Your food business licence must be on display and visible to the public.
Renew, change or amend a licence
You need to let us know if any important details about your business change.
Renew a licence
We send you a renewal notice at least 60 days before your annual licence is due to expire.
The notice informs you of:
- your renewal fee
- due date for payment
- expiry date for your current licence.
You must pay by the due date to keep your business licence. It is illegal for a licensable food business to operate without a current licence.
Renewal fees
The higher your Eat Safe star rating, the higher discount you get on your renewal fees. The lowest rating you receive within the renewal period determines your fee.
| Area | 5 star | 4 star | 3 star | 0-2 star |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor <250 m2 | $461.50 | $692.25 | $876.60 | $922.95 |
| Medium >250-1000 m 2 | $630.40 | $946.15 | $1,197.65 | $1,260.65 |
| Major >1000 m 2 | $1,969.70 | $2,954.60 | $3,742.30 | $3,939.45 |
Changes or amendments to a licence
Certain changes in your business can require amendments to your licence.
This includes:
- structural changes to the food preparation or storage areas
- new food activities, such as catering
- updates to the licence details, such as a change to the Board of Directors.
To make an amendment:
- Complete the amendment form online.
- Pay the amendment fee: $271.55 per amendment
- After application is received Council officers will determine if an inspection is required before the amendment application is decided.
You don’t need to make an amendment to update contact details or postal addresses for current businesses. To do this, get in touch with Council.
Withdraw or surrender a licence
You need to let us know if you close your business or if a new operator is taking over.
You can withdraw or surrender a licence online.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of a food licence depends on the licence you’re applying for.
To work out the relevant food licence cost, check your fees.
Licensing and food safety are just some of the key considerations when starting a food business.
If you’re not sure where to start, find out about running a food business.