Food business requirements

Before applying, make sure you understand what approvals your business needs. Requirements vary depending on your business type, location, and the food you serve. We recommend emailing [email protected] to discuss your project. 

Taking over an existing food business?

Before buying a food business, you can request a pre‑settlement inspection to check for any issues or outstanding notices (a fee applies). Contact Health Services on 9550 3810 or [email protected] to arrange this.

After purchase, you must submit a food business application through the customer portal, and the previous owner must notify Health Services of the sale and settlement date.

Food trucks and stalls:

Registration must be completed through the local government where your business is garaged or stored. A single registration is required and is valid across all of Western Australia

Gather the documents you need before starting your application. Most businesses will need a floor plan at minimum - additional documents depend on your situation.

• Floor Plans: Provide a floor plan of the business or food van showing all fixtures, fittings, and equipment.
• New Businesses: You may need to include your menu, recipes, and food labelling information.
• Children's Day Care and Aged Care: If you provide meals to young children or the elderly you must submit a food safety management plan.

To assist in your application you may wish to refer to:

• Food Business Guidelines for design, operation and construction
• Mobile Food Van Requirements
• Food Preparation in a Residential Kitchen
• Food Preparation in a Residential Kitchen (Bed and Breakfast)

Applications for registrations and notifications are to be submitted via the City of Mandurah Online portal. You'll need to attach your floor plan and any documents from Step 2.

Lodgement fee

A fee is payable when you submit your application. You'll receive an invoice by email after lodging.

Annual registration fee

Once your food business is approved, you'll be invoiced for an annual registration fee each year. The amount is based on your risk level (Low / Medium / High).

• LOW: eg residential kitchens, bed and breakfast. Inspected annually
• MEDIUM: eg commercial restaurant, take-away, café. Inspected bi-annually
• HIGH: eg child care centers, aged care facilities. Inspected bi-annually

Food safety standard

Food businesses are required to:

1. Ensure all food handlers are properly trained.
2. Appoint at least one trained Food Safety Supervisor.
3. Keep specific food safety records if handling unpackaged, ready‑to‑eat, potentially hazardous foods.

For full guidance, businesses can visit the Department of Health’s Food Safety Management Tools for Food Businesses webpage.

Free training for food handlers

The City offers free access to Foodsafe Online a Food Handler Training Program for individuals.

Once you have added the course to your cart, on the payment page please use the coupon code FSMANDU347 to access the training free of charge. Using the discount code you should not have to enter any credit card details.

Completion of FoodSafe® Online satisfies the food handler training requirement of Standard 3.2.2A of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Additionally, businesses are encouraged to undertake allergy awareness training to help food handlers understand the risks associated with food allergens.

Training for food safety supervisors

The Department of Health lists approved training organisations for food safety supervisors. This training is crucial for meeting the legal requirements of having a qualified supervisor on staff.

Learn more about Food Safety Supervisor training and find registered organisations on the Department of Health website or NSW Food Authority website

Additional resources

Environmental Health Australia offers the FoodSafe training pack, which includes a video, a workbook with questionnaires, and a proprietor workbook. This pack aids in fulfilling food safety requirements such as documenting cleaning, pest control, and temperature monitoring of foods.

All packaged foods for sale must include labels that comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. For detailed labelling requirements, visit Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

For either profit or non-profit events within the City:

Complete a food stall approval application through the online customer portal at least 14 days prior to the event. Along with this application you will need to attach:

• A floor plan showing all equipment
• Copy of public liability insurance (Certificate of Currency of at least $10 million)
• A copy of your Food Act Registration (if food is prepared in conjunction with an approved premises).

Temporary food stall information sheets and guides:

• Guide for temporary stall (charity)
• Guide for temporary stalls (profit)
• Temperature control
• Transporting food
• Sausage sizzles
• Health hygiene for food handlers
• Labelling food
• Gas safety checklist