Indigo Shire Council - Temporary Food Premises

Temporary Food Premises

From July 1 2011 a new state-wide registration and notification scheme has come into effect for temporary and mobile food operators.

Temporary food premises are temporary stalls or tents from which food is sold, such as at a market or festival.

Mobile food premises are vehicles such as vans, trailers or carts from which food is sold.

Under the latest changes in the Food Act 1984, operators will only need to register, or notify with their principle council depending on the food handling activities that will be undertaken. The principle council will be primarily responsible for approving your food handling activities and will be the council which you have the most dealings with in the future. It is the council in whose district:

you prepare or store food that is to be sold at the stall or van; or

if food is not usually prepared or stored beforehand by the business/organisation – the district in which you usually store the equipment for your stall, or garage your van; or

if none of the above apply – the district where the usual business address for your organisation is located; or

if none of the above are in Victoria – the district in which the stall or van will first operate.

Once a state-wide registration certificate has been issued (or accepted a class 4 notification) from your principle council, you then must inform all relevant councils about your trading intentions.

At least 5 days prior to trading, a Food Act statement of trade (SOT) must be lodged in each council where your van or stall will be operating this includes your principle council. A copy of all SOTs must be given to your principle council so that it can answer any questions asked by other councils about your registration or notification. If you fail to lodge statements of trade within five days of operation you risk a fine.

Class 2 temporary food registrations will require a Food Safety Program and a Food Safety Supervisor. Class 3 temporary food registrations are required to keep minimum records.

Temporary & Mobile Registration Forms

Statement of Trade Forms

Class 4 Premises

If your food stall or van is a class 4 (simple sausage sizzle or low risk prepacked food) you will be able to trade anywhere in Victoria on an ongoing basis once your principle council acknowledges your once-off notification. This notification does not need to be resubmitted annually. A SOT will need to be submitted as discussed above.

Notification Forms

Community Groups

Community Groups will also be operating under the new state-wide registration or notification scheme. This includes not-for-profit associations or clubs, or any other groups raising funds for charitable purposes by selling food from food vans or stalls.

In 2012, temporary and mobile food operators will be able to register and lodge statements of trade online.

For further information please contact the Environmental Health Department on

02 6028 1100 or visit the Department of Health website.