Starting a fixed food business

Step 1.Confirm the business has consent

Confirm that the retail or home business has the appropriate permission (consent) to operate as a food business.

If you are taking over an existing food business that already has consent but are planning on undertaking major renovations, you may still need to submit a development application.

How to apply for Development Consent

Step 2.Optional pre-purchase inspection

You may wish to arrange an optional pre-purchase inspection from our Officers.

The inspection will provide a report of the physical condition of the premises from a food safety perspective.

You can request our Officers to complete the inspection using our online Health Enquiry Form and selecting ‘pre-purchase inspection’.

There is a fee for this service. See our fees and charges.

Health Enquiry Form

Step 3.Appoint a Food Safety Supervisor

Most businesses require a Food Safety Supervisor, however there are some exceptions. For further information go to the Service NSW website.

Step 4.Notify us of your business

You must notify us of your business details using the online form below:

Notification of Food Business Form

Once this form has been submitted you will receive a letter or email from us confirming notification of your business.

What if my details change?

You must let us know within 7 days if there is a change of business details such as owner, location, business name, or contact details. The online notification form can be used, just select 'change of details' at the top of the form.   

Step 5.When can I start operating?

You may start operating once you have received:

• Food Safety Supervisor certificate (if required)
• Confirmation from us of your business notification.  

Step 1.Apply for consent

You will need to obtain development consent to operate a food business from your chosen location if it has never been used as a food business before. 

How to apply for Development Consent

As part of the Development Application (DA) process you will need to:

Step 2.Gather information

The following details should be submitted with your application:

1. Professionally drawn plans of the food business including:
   • Layout of the kitchen
   • Hand wash basins
   • Wash up sinks and dishwashers
   • Food preparation areas
   • Storage areas for food and equipment
   • Cross section plan of equipment showing height off floor

   • Lighting plan

2. A description of the finish on all surfaces including the materials of walls, floors, ceilings, food preparation benches and storage equipment
3. A description of the food products to be prepared at the business

Check this guideline document for further information on the appropriate construction and fit out for food business:

Food premises design, construction and fit out guide(PDF, 4MB)

Step 3.Have a fit-out inspection

You will need to arrange for the food premises fit-out to be inspected and certified to confirm it has been properly constructed.

You can request our Officers to complete the inspection using our Health Enquiry Form and selecting ‘pre-opening inspection’.

There is a fee for this service. See our fees and charges.

Health Enquiry Form

Step 4.Appoint a Food Safety Supervisor

Most businesses require a Food Safety Supervisor, however there are some exceptions. For further information go to the Service NSW website.

Step 5.Notify us of your business

Once you have received Development Consent you will be required to notify us of your business details using the online form below:

Notification of Food Business Form

Once this form has been submitted you will receive a letter or email from us confirming notification of your business.

What if my details change?

You must let us know within 7 days when there is a change of business details such as business owner, business name or contact details. The online notification form can be used, just select 'change of details' at the top of the form.   

Step 6.When can I start operating?

You may start operating once you have received:

• Development Consent
• Food Safety Supervisor certificate (if required)
• Confirmation from us of your business notification

Carefully read your Development Consent to check if any other conditions have been applied to your business. 

Step 1.Apply for consent

You will need to obtain development consent to operate a food business from your home if it has never been used as a food business before. 

How to apply for Development Consent

As part of the Development Application (DA) process you will need to:

Step 2.Gather information

The following details should be submitted with your application:

1. A scaled plan of the kitchen including location of food preparation areas, sink for washing hands, sink for washing dishes/dishwasher, and storage areas for food and equipment.
2. A description of the finish of all surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings, benches).
3. A description of the food products to be prepared at the home business.

Step 3.Have a kitchen inspection

Once the Development Application has been submitted you will be contacted by our Environmental Health Officers to arrange an inspection of your kitchen and all areas of your home where food is going to be stored, prepared and cooked.

Step 4.Appoint a Food Safety Supervisor

Most businesses require a Food Safety Supervisor, however there are some exceptions. For further information go to the Service NSW website.

Step 5.Notify us of your business

Once you have received Development Consent you will be required to notify us of your business details using the online form below:

Notification of Food Business Form

Once this form has been submitted you will receive a letter or email from us confirming notification of your business.

What if my details change?

You must let us know within 7 days when there is a change of business details such as business owner, business name or contact details. The online notification form can be used, just select 'change of details' at the top of the form.   

Step 6.When can I start operating?

You may start operating once you have received:

• Development Consent
• Food Safety Supervisor certificate (if required)
• Confirmation from us of your business notification.  

Carefully read your Development Consent to check if any other conditions have been applied to your home based food business.