Home-Based Food Businesses

Thinking about starting a food business from home? If you plan to make and sell low risk food products from your home kitchen, there are some important requirements to understand before you get started.

Livingstone Shire Council encourages small food businesses while helping ensure food sold to the community is safe and suitable for consumption.

What is a Home-Based Food Business?

A home-based food business is a restricted business that prepares, packs, stores, or sells low risk foods (see below) from a domestic kitchen or residential property. Examples include online sales, market stalls, community events, and direct sales to customers. 

Low Risk Foods

Low risk foods are foods that do not require refrigeration for safety and are unlikely to support the growth of harmful bacteria.

Examples of low risk foods include:

  • Cakes, muffins and cupcakes without cream or custard fillings
  • Biscuits and cookies
  • Slices and brownies
  • Bread and bread rolls
  • Jams, marmalades and preserves
  • Chutneys and pickles
  • Dried herbs and spice mixes
  • Honey products
  • Packaged confectionery
  • Tea and coffee blends

Low risk packaged foods generally present a lower food safety risk than foods containing meat, seafood, dairy products, cooked rice, cooked pasta, custard, cream, or prepared salads.

Do I Need a Food Business Licence?

Some low risk food businesses may not require a food business licence. Examples include the sale of:

  • Whole fruit and vegetables
  • Dried herbs and spices
  • Tea leaves and coffee
  • Packaged confectionery and snack foods

However, every business is different. Before commencing operations, contact Council's Environmental Health team to confirm whether:

  • A food business licence is required;
  • Planning approval is required;
  • Building or plumbing approvals apply; and
  • Your proposed activities can operate from a residential property.

Food Safety Requirements

Whether or not a licence is required, all food businesses must comply with the Food Act 2006 and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Key requirements include:

  • Maintaining a clean food preparation area
  • Protecting food from contamination
  • Providing adequate handwashing facilities
  • Storing ingredients safely
  • Using food-grade containers and packaging
  • Ensuring food handlers have appropriate food safety knowledge
  • Correct labelling of packaged food where required

Before You Apply

We recommend discussing your proposal with Council before investing in equipment or fit-out works.

A pre-lodgement meeting with an Environmental Health Officer can assist you in determining:

  • Whether the activity is licensable;
  • Suitability of the home kitchen;
  • Required approvals; and
  • Food safety expectations.

Application Process

If your proposed activity requires licensing:

  1. Review the food business licence requirements.
  2. Complete the Food Business Licence Application Form.

    Food Business Licence Application Form(PDF, 136KB)

     

  3. Prepare and supply supporting documents, including:
    • Proposed menu or product list
    • Kitchen layout or floor plan
    • Details of food handling and storage processes
  4. Submit your application and applicable fee.
  5. Council will assess your application and advise of any additional requirements.
  6. An approval inspection will be undertaken prior to operation.
  7. You must not operate until you receive a Food Business Licence and pass your approval inspection.

Fees

Food business licence fees vary depending on the type and risk classification of the business. Home based Food Businesses are a Category 3 Low Risk Business.

For current fees, refer to Council's Schedule of Fees and Charges.

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