Food stalls

Information about food stalls, temporary and mobile premises.

In July 2011, changes to the Food Act 1984 introduced a state-wide registration and notification scheme for all temporary and mobile food businesses.

A temporary food premises registration or notification is required for food sold or served at events regardless of whether they are profitable, non-profitable or charity organisations. Events include festivals, markets, single temporary stalls, fetes or sausage sizzles.

What are temporary or mobile food premises?

“Temporary food premises” are temporary stalls or tents from which food is sold, such as at a market or festival. It can be any structure that is not permanently fixed to a site.

“Mobile food premises” are vehicles such as vans, trailers or carts from which food is sold. Under the state-wide system, you are required to nominate which Local Government Council would be primarily responsible for approving your food handling operations. This will be referred to as your “Principal Council” and this single registration will allow you to operate throughout Victoria. Depending on the type of food handling activities, you may be required to maintain a food safety program and have a food safety supervisor or you may only need to complete a Notification to Operate Form.

A “Principal Council” is determined by the municipality where you:
• prepare or store food that is to be sold at the stall or food van; or
• if food is not usually prepared or stored beforehand by the organisation (e.g. if it is donated by volunteers) - the municipality in which the group usually stores the equipment for the stall or garages the food van; or
• if none of the above apply - the district in which the usual business address for the group is located; or
• if none of the above are in Victoria - the district in which the stall or food van will first operate in Victoria.

Once you have determined your “Principal Council” make contact with the relevant council and follow their registration or notification procedures.

If your “Principal Council” is the City of Darebin?
Firstly you need to determine your business classification as defined under the Food Act 1984 which can be found using the following link: Food Business Classification.

Once you have determined your classification you will need to contact Darebin’s Health Protection Unit on (03) 8470 8658 to arrange registration or notification.

Class 2

Class 2 food premises are those that handle unpackaged potentially hazardous foods which need correct temperature control during the food handling process - including cooking and storage - to keep them safe.

These businesses require registration under the Food Act 1984 and may also be requested to submit plans for officer approval. Class 2 businesses must also maintain a Department of Health approved Food Safety Program and at least one person within the business must be a qualified Food Safety Supervisor.

Class 3

Class 3 food premises are those whose main activities involve the sale of foods not commonly associated with food poisoning. This includes the supply or handling of unpackaged low risk foods, or sale of prepackaged potentially hazardous foods which simply need refrigeration to keep them safe. These businesses require registration under the Food Act 1984 and may also be requested to submit plans for officer approval.

Class 4

Class 4 food premises are those whose food handling activities pose low risk to public health. Very low risk businesses that fall into a Class 4 classification do not require registration and are exempt from paying any Council Food Act related fees. They must however submit a notification to Darebin notifying Council that we are your “Principal Council”.

StrEATeatrader

Streatrader is a centralised database which is currently available, and all proprietors of temporary and mobile food premises will be able to register or submit notifications online. This database replaces the previous manual ‘Statement of Trade’ procedure and now allows you to electronically alert Councils state-wide of your intention to operate within their municipality.Once Darebin City Council has approved your notification or application for registration, you can enter your details onto the Streatrader system.

Please note: Council Health Officers may ask you to produce your Food Act registration or notification certificate when you are trading. So be sure you have it with you wherever you are trading. If you fail to lodge statements of trade you at risk of receiving an infringement.

Combining Temporary and Mobile Food Premises with a Fixed Food Premises

If you have registered as a permanent food premises from which you prepare or store food that is to be sold from a temporary or mobile food premises, you can register with the same Council where your permanent business is registered.

Will I need any other permits?

If you wish to operate on Council owned land within Darebin, an Itinerant Traders Permit from Council is required in order to sell goods. Please contact Darebin Local Laws Unit on (03) 8470 8888.

For any queries relating to Street trading please contact the Health Protection Unit on (03) 8470 8658.

More information on the requirements for temporary and mobile food premises is available on the Department of Health Website.

Further Information

Health Protection
Ph: (03) 8470 8658
Email: health@darebin.vic.gov.au