Food Safety

If you conduct a business that prepares or handles food for sale to the public, you may require a licence under the QLD Food Act 2006. Licensable food businesses are required to follow regulations as prescribed in the legislation and Food Standards Code, to ensure only safe food is provided for sale. There are significant penalties for operating a licensable food business without a food licence.

The below matrix outlines when a ‘Food Licence’ is required:

*Water carriers selling potable water by retail and manufacturers of bottled water are required to have a food business licence. The sale of bottled water and water by the glass does not require a food business licence.

**Snack food is defined as any of the following food that is not potentially hazardous, a) biscuits or cakes; b) confectionery, corn chips, potato chips or nuts; c) dried or glazed fruit; d) other food prescribed under a regulation.

All licensable food businesses including fixed premises, mobile premises and temporary premises are required to be licensed by Council. If you wish to operate a licensable food business in the Whitsunday Region you are required to obtain a licence from Council. The following information will assist you in ensuring your application is complete and that you have considered everything that is required to apply for a food business licence.

Establishing a food business premises whether in a new or existing building requires compliance with a range of legislation. An application may be needed for each of the areas listed below depending on the nature of the food business. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all these areas have been investigated. 

• Planning Approval
• Building Approval
• Trade Waste Permit
• Plumbing and Drainage Permit
• Food Licence Application

The food business may also require approval for:

• Footpath/Outdoor Dining
• Portable Advertising Sign
• Roadside Vending

Types of Licences:

• Fixed premises
• Mobile food vans
• Temporary food premises
• Home-based food businesses
• Charter vessels
• Water Carriers

All licensed food businesses are required to have a qualified Food Safety Supervisor. The nominated Food Safety Supervisor must have completed food safety training from a Registered Training Organisation. 

Certain licensed food businesses are also required to have an accredited Food Safety Program (e.g. childcare centres, nursing homes, off-site catering).

 

Please click the below links for application guides, forms and fact sheets:

Prior to the purchase of an existing food business it is recommended you request a Health Search to be carried out. This is where an Environmental Health Officer can perform a desktop audit of previous inspections and licensing records or conduct a physical inspection to identify any compliance issues. These issues will then be provided for your attention to you in a report. See Search Request Form attached.

Step one

1. Check with our Town Planning Services to determine if a food business is a permitted use in the area. 

Step two

1. Complete Food Licence Application Form and submit to a Customer Service Centre or via email to info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au.

Step three

1. Check with the relevant department if approval is required.  
   1. Plumbing Services 
   2. Trade Waste Department 
   3. Building Department or Private Certifier

Step four

1. An Environmental Health Officer will assess your application against the Food Standards Code and contact you if any further information is required. 
2. Once assessed, you will receive a plan approval letter that details the conditions of approval for your proposed food premises. 
3. Once approved you can start your construction/refit. Starting fit out prior to obtaining plan approval can often lead to frustration when plans must be changed to meet the requirements of the code. 

Step five

1. After the construction, please contact an Environmental Health Officer to arrange the final inspection. To avoid delays to your opening date, please allow a minimum of 5 days notice for the final inspection. 
2. If the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied with the premises, the Environmental Health Officer will issue your food licence. 

Step six

1. Congratulations – you can commence trading in your new food business. Our Environmental Health Officer’s will conduct regular unannounced inspections of your food business to check compliance with the food standards code. 

Forms and Facts Sheets:

• Search Request Form - Health and Local Laws
• Food Business Licence Application Form
• Food Premises Design, Construction and Fit Out Guide
• QLD Health Food Safety Supervisor

Prior to the purchase of an existing food business it is recommended you request a Health Search to be carried out. This is where an Environmental Health Officer can perform a desktop audit of previous inspections and licensing records or conduct a physical inspection to identify any compliance issues. These issues will then be provided for your attention to you in a report. See Search Request Form attached.

Step one

1. Complete Food Licence Application Form. Submit to Council either via a Customer Service Centre or email to info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au.
2. Check with our Local Law Department regarding obtaining a roadside vending permit if you wish to vend on Council land.

Step two

1. An Environmental Health Officer will assess your application against the Food Standards Code and contact you if any further information is required.
2. Once assessed, you will receive a plan approval letter that details the conditions of approval for your proposed food premises.

Step three

1. Please contact an Environmental Health Officer to arrange the final inspection. To avoid delays to your opening date, please allow a minimum of 5 days notice for the final inspection.

Step four

1. An Environmental Health Officer will conduct a final inspection of your mobile vehicle. If the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied with the premises, the Environmental Health Officer will issue your food licence.

Step five

1. Congratulations – you can commence trading in your new food business. Our Environmental Health Officer’s will conduct regular unannounced inspections of your food business to check compliance with the Food Act 2006 and the Food Standards Code.

Forms and Facts Sheets:

• Search Request Form
• Food Licence Application Form
• Food Premises Design, Construction and Fit Out Guide
• QLD Health Food Safety Supervisor

Step one 

1. Complete all sections for a temporary/market stall in the Food Licence Application Form. Submit to Council either via a Customer Service Centre or email to info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au.  

Step two 

1. An Environmental Health Officer will assess your application against the Food Standards Code and contact you if any further information is required. 
2. Once assessed, you will receive a plan approval letter that details the conditions of approval for your proposed food premises. 

Step three 

1. Please contact an Environmental Health Officer to arrange the final inspection. To avoid delays to your opening date, please allow a minimum of 5 days notice for the final inspection. 

Step four 

1. An Environmental Health Officer will conduct a final inspection of your food stall. If the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied with the premises, your food licence will be issued. 

Step five 

1. Congratulations – you can commence trading in your new food business. Our Environmental Health Officer’s will conduct regular unannounced inspections of your food business to check compliance with the food standards code. 

Forms and Facts Sheets:

• Search Request Form
• Food Licence Application Form
• Food Premises Design, Construction and Fit Out Guide
• QLD Health Food Safety Supervisor

Step one

1. Check with our Town Planning Services to determine if a food business is a permitted use in the area.

Step two

1. Check with our Trade Waste Officer to determine if a trade waste approval is required for disposal of wastewater to our sewerage network. 
2. Complete Food Licence Application Form and complete all sections for fixed (new or refit). Please submit application form to one of our Customer Service Centre’s or via email to info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au.

Step three

1. An Environmental Health Officer will assess your application against the Food Standards Code and contact you if any further information is required.
2. Once assessed, you will receive a plan approval letter that details the conditions of approval for your proposed food premises.
3. Once approved you can start any alterations identified.

Step four

1. Please contact an Environmental Health Officer to arrange the final inspection when the kitchen is ready. To avoid delays to your opening/starting date, please allow a minimum of 5 days notice for the final inspection.

Step five

1. An Environmental Health Officer will conduct a final inspection of the premises. If the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied with the premises, the Environmental Health Officer will issue your food licence.

Step six

1. Congratulations – you can commence trading in your new food business. Our Environmental Health Officer’s will conduct regular inspections of your food business to check compliance with the food standards code.

Forms and Facts Sheets:

• Food Licence Application Form
• QLD Health Food Safety Supervisor
• Guide to Home Based Food Premises

Businesses providing the delivery of potable (drinking) water are required to hold a Food Business Licence in Queensland. The Food Business Licence should be held with the Local Government where the vehicle is garaged or otherwise operates the majority of their business.

Step One

• Complete the Food Business Licence Application Form, ensuring that all supporting information is submitted (plans and specifications of vehicle and water tank, evidence that hoses are food grade, photographs of your trailer/vehicle from front, both sides and rear). Submit to Council either via a Customer Service Centre or email to info@wrc.qld.gov.au.
   
• Ensure that the nominated Food Safety Supervisor has completed a Food Safety Supervisor Course within the last 5 years and provide certificates of qualification with your application. If this course has not been completed, please provide confirmation that the nominated Food Safety Supervisor has enrolled into this course.

Step Two

• An Environmental Health Officer will assess your application against the Food Standards Code and contact you if any further information is required.
   
• Once assessed, Whitsunday Regional Council’s Environmental Health Officers will be in contact with you to arrange a final inspection of the water carrier prior to the issuance of your food licence.
  ​​​​​​​
• If you require access to Whitsunday Regional Council standpipes to fill your water tank, please contact Council’s Customer Services. If you are not using Council water, you must be able to demonstrate that the water source is potable (i.e. through chemical and microbiological testing).

Step Three

• Please contact an Environmental Health Officer to arrange the final inspection. To avoid delays to your operating date, please allow a minimum of 5 days’ notice for the final inspection. For inspections in Collinsville and Mount Coolon areas, please allow 10 days’ notice.

Step Four

• An Environmental Health Officer will conduct a final inspection of your water carrier. If the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied with the premises, the Environmental Health Officer will issue your mobile (water carrier) Food Business Licence.

Step five

• Congratulations – you can commence trading in your new food business. Our Environmental Health Officer’s will conduct regular inspections of your water carrier to check compliance with the Food Act 2006 and the Food Standards Code.
   
• Note that you will be required to keep a logbook of all potable water deliveries as part of your Food Business Licence. The logbook needs to contain:
  ​​​​​​​
  • Date, location, amount drawn and metered standpipe readings (if available) for each water collection
  • Date, location (address) and amount of each water delivery
  • Name and signature of the driver
  • Treatment details or rejection of any water.

Forms and Facts Sheets:

• Food Licence Application Form

Prior to the purchase of an existing food business, it is recommended you request a Health Search to be carried out. This is where an Environmental Health Officer can perform a desktop audit of previous inspections and licensing records or conduct a physical inspection to identify any compliance issues. These issues will then be provided for your attention to you in a report. See Search Request Form below.

Step One

• Complete all sections for mobile in the Food Business Licence Application Form, ensuring appropriate plans are attached. Plans must include a plan of your vessel and plans of the galley area where food will be stored and prepared. Ensure all plans are clearly labelled with fittings and equipment (i.e. hand wash basins, fridges, wash sinks, dishwashers, dry store, cooking equipment, etc). Submit to Council either via a Customer Service Centre or email to info@wrc.qld.gov.au
   
• Ensure that the nominated Food Safety Supervisor has completed a Food Safety Supervisor Course within the last 5 years and provide certificates of qualification with your application. If this course has not been completed, please provide confirmation that the nominated Food Safety Supervisor has enrolled into this course.

Step Two

• An Environmental Health Officer will assess your application against the Food Standards Code and contact you if any further information is required.
   
• Once assessed, you will receive a plan approval letter that details the conditions of approval for your proposed food premises.

Step Three

• Please contact an Environmental Health Officer to arrange the final inspection. To avoid delays to your operating date, please allow a minimum of 5 days’ notice for the final inspection.

Step Four

• An Environmental Health Officer will conduct a final inspection of your charter vessel. If the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied with the premises, the Food Business Licence will be issued. You are not permitted to prepare or serve any food until you are in receipt of the Food Business Licence.

Step Five

• Congratulations – you can commence trading in your new food business. Our Environmental Health Officer’s will conduct regular unannounced inspections of your food business to check compliance with the Food Standards Code.

Forms and Facts Sheets:

• Search Request Form
• Food Licence Application Form
• Food Premises Design, Construction and Fit Out Guide
• QLD Health Food Safety Supervisor
• Guideline to Charter Vessels

Food businesses that provide food to vulnerable persons (i.e. childcare centres, aged care facilities, meals on wheels, private hospitals, respite centres, etc.) or undertake on-site or offsite catering as per the Food Act 2006 section 17 and 18, are required to have an accredited Food Safety Program (FSP). For further information regarding Food Safety Programs or if your business is required to have one, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Branch.

Step One

• Develop your site-specific, Food Safety Program (FSP) and ensure it matches your business practices onsite. If you are using a Food Safety Program template, you will be required to update this template to make it specific to your business operations. If you are unsure how to develop your program, it may be best to engage the services of a consultant to write the Food Safety Program on your behalf.
   
• Engage the services of a third-party auditor to conduct a desktop review of your Food Safety Program and provide you with a Notice of Written Advice. The purpose of a Notice of Written Advice is to state whether, in the opinion of the Auditor, the Food Safety Program is compliant with the Food Act 2006 Section 98. This Notice of Written Advice must accompany your application to Council for accreditation of the Food Safety Program.
   
• Complete all sections applicable for Accreditation of a Food Safety Program in the Food Business Licence Application Form and submit to Council. Ensure the Food Safety Program and Auditor’s Written Advice are submitted with the application. Please see Council’s Fees & Charges for the fee for Accreditation of a Food Safety Program.

Step Two

• An Environmental Health Officer will assess your FSP to ensure it covers all aspects of your food business. If any information is missing or incorrect the Environmental Health Officer will request for sections of the program to be amended.
   
• Once the FSP has been assessed and the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied that the FSP matches your business practices and complies with the Food Act 2006 Section 98, your FSP will be accredited.
   
• The accredited program will be sent back to you for your records. If you are a new food business the accredited program is provided when your Food Business Licence is issued.

Step Three

• Once the program is accredited, you (the licensee), must comply with the program whilst operating the food business. If your business practices do not match the practices outlined in your FSP, your FSP will need to be amended to match your practices or vice versa.
   
• A copy of the accredited FSP must be kept at the food business premises and be available for employees to use.
   
• Compliance audits by a third-party auditor must be undertaken at the frequency specified by Council. Under the Food Act 2006 the first compliance audit is required within six months of accreditation of the Food Safety Program. Please ensure you continue to complete all records required to be kept as part of your Food Safety Program.