business.gov.au

Home-based Food Business - Northern Territory

Description

You may need this licence if you intend to make food from your home to sell to others. 

This licence is suitable for small to medium scale activities such as:

  • baking cakes
  • making jams and biscuits. 

Food businesses are classified depending on their food safety risks. High risk food businesses (Priority 1 and 2) generally require a commercial kitchen and are not suitable as home based food businesses. Generally, a domestic kitchen is only appropriate for small, low to medium risk activities (Priority 3 & 4). 

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

The design and construction of your kitchen must comply with specific standards and be appropriate for your intended activities. For example, your kitchen must have:

  • a permanent handwashing facility with both hot and cold running water
  • a double bowl sink for cleaning and sanitising equipment 
  • a sufficient supply of water
  • adequate space to enable safe food production
  • adequate ventilation 
  • suitable walls and ceilings 
  • measures in place to prevent pests 
  • waste disposal
  • separate designated storage areas for food equipment and chemicals.

This is a non-exhaustive list.

You will need to attach the following documents along with your application:

  • a floorpan and photographs of your proposed kitchen
  • a description of the types of food and processes
  • your proposed menu

 Please check with the agency for more information. 

Duration

1 year

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

Registration fees:

  • Priority 1- $261.00
  • Priority 2 - $130.00
  • Priority 3 - $65.00
  • Priority 4 - no fee required.

Fees for 2025-26
Apply Application All

Renewal fees:

  • Priority 1- $210.00
  • Priority 2 - $101.00
  • Priority 3 - $50.00
  • Priority 4 - no fee required.

Fees for 2025-26
Apply Application All

Variation of registration conditions: 

  • Priority 1- $130.00
  • Priority 2 - $65.00
  • Priority 3 - $31.00
  • Priority 4 - no fee required.

Fees for 2025-26

Other resources

Task Business Structure Resources
Apply All Home-based Food Business Guidelines - PDF (Opens in new window)

Approval time

30 days

Administering agency

Department of Health

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.