Register a food business

Class 1

Businesses that handle potentially hazardous food served to vulnerable groups within hospitals, aged care, childcare, or by home delivery services (e.g. Meals-on-Wheels).

Class 2

Businesses that handle potentially hazardous unpackaged foods. Includes restaurants, fast food outlets, pubs, caterers, delicatessens, cafes and most manufacturers.

Class 3

Medium- to high-risk businesses that sell low-risk foods, or potentially hazardous pre-packaged foods. Includes milk bars, convenience stores, fruit stalls selling cut fruit, and pre-packaged food wholesalers.

Class 3A

Home-based businesses and accommodation getaway premises that carry out specific food-handling activities.

Class 4

Food-handling activities that pose a low risk to public health. Includes bottle shops, wine tastings, and pre-packaged low-risk food sold at places like newsagents or pharmacies.

A food safety program is a written plan that shows how a business ensures its food and drink is safe to consume.

All class 1 food businesses and manufacturers must use an independent (non-standard) food safety program. They also receive annual food safety audits.

Class 2 businesses which conduct high-risk activities must have a food safety program. The Victorian Government's Safe Food Victoria webpage has a template for class 2 businesses.

For more information on food safety programs, visit the Victorian Government's food safety programs webpage.

A food safety supervisor is responsible for the food safety of a business. They are qualified to recognise, prevent and address food handling hazards.

All class 1, 2 and 3A businesses must nominate a food safety supervisor and submit a current food safety supervisor certificate. This also applies if you are taking over an existing business. Please include a copy of your supervisor’s qualifications in your application.

For more information, visit the Victorian Government's food safety supervisor webpage.