Food business licence (Toowoomba) - Queensland

Service type

Licence

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

Exemptions

The Act does not apply in any of the following situations, and therefore a food business a licence is not required:

• state or government owned corporations
• the handling or sale of food at a tuckshop operated by a parents and citizens association at a state school
• the handling, at a persons home, of food intended to be given away to a non-profit organisation for sale by the organisation.

A food business that consists of one or more of the following activities is not required to be licensed under the Food Act 2006:

• the production of primary produce under an accreditation granted under the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000 - including meat, dairy, egg and seafood schemes
• the sale of unpackaged snack foods that are not potentially hazardous (e.g. food such as biscuits, cakes, confectionery, corn chips, potato chips, nuts or dried or glazed fruit)
• the sale of whole fruit or vegetables
• the sale of seeds, spices, dried herbs, tea leaves, coffee beans or ground coffee
• the grinding of coffee beans
• the sale of drinks (other than fruit or vegetable juice processed at the place of sale) including, for example, tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
• the sale of ice, including flavoured ice (e.g. snow cones or bags of party ice)
• the sale of meals by a non-profit organisation if
  1. the meal consists only of fruit, cereal, toast, or similar food; or
  2. the consumer of the meal helps prepare it
• the sale of meals by a non-profit organisation that are prepared by an entity other than the organisation and are stored and heated or otherwise prepared by the organisation in accordance with the directions of the meal's manufacturer
• the sale of food, by a non-profit organisation, that is prepared as part of an educational or training activity conducted by the organisation involving food preparation, hospitality or catering
• the sale of meals by a non-profit organisation, if
  1. the organisation is a surf lifesaving club; and
  2. a member is involved in the preparation of the meal; and
  3. the meal is sold to a member of the club for a nominal amount.

Eligibility requirements

Food safety supervisors

The Food Act 2006 requires every licensable food business in Queensland to have a food safety supervisor.  Licensees are required to notify the local government that issues the licence, of the name and contact details of the food safety supervisor for the food business within 30 days of the licence being issued. 

Food premises 

There are requirements that must be met for the design and fit-out of the food premises to ensure it is appropriate for the operation of a food business. 

Food handlers

There are also requirements for all food handlers for the food business to have a level of skills and knowledge in food safety and food hygiene appropriate for their work activities at the food business.

Duration

This licence remains in effect for a period of no greater than 3 years as determined by council.

Forms

Other resources

Act(s) name

Food Act 2006 Queensland (Opens in new window)

Regulation(s) name

Food Regulation 2016 Queensland (Opens in new window)

Application process

In addition to the completed application form, you must submit the appropriate fee as well as plans drawn to scale and that provide an accurate representation of the layout of the food premises. 

You may be required to include:

• a site plan
• floor plan
• sectional elevations
• hydraulic plans
• mechanical exhaust ventilation plans (if applicable)
• transport vehicle plan (if applicable).

All applications and associated documentation for the licence must be directed to council for the area in which you intend to operate your food business.

A site inspection may be undertaken by the council environmental health officer to determine compliance with design and fit-out requirements for the food premises.

Transfer process

This licence cannot be transferred.

Additional information

Administering agency

Toowoomba Regional Council

Contact details

Supporting information

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (including Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and Food Safety Standards) (Opens in new window)

Safe Food Production Queensland (Opens in new window)

Queensland Acts and Regulations (Opens in new window)