Food Businesses
Food Safety in Circular Head is an important regulatory function of Council. The Circular Head Council is committed to ensuring that food businesses operating within the region prepare and sell food to the public that satisfies the requirements of the Food Act 2003 and other relevant legislation and standards.
New food businesses operating in Circular Head require assessment and approval before operating to ensure food safety standards are met.
Before a food business begins operating they must do one of two things:
- Notify Council of their food handling activity; or
- Register their food business with Council.
Taking over an existing Food Business
Food Business Registrations are not transferable, persons planning to purchase an existing food business will need to apply for and obtain a Food Business Registration through Council prior to operating. If you are considering purchasing an existing food business, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Officer.
The below information concerning new business registration/construction/alterations also applies to taking over an existing business.
Useful Links​
- Food Standards Code - www.foodstandards.gov.au
- Food Labelling (for consumer information please click here)
- Raw Egg Control Measure
Manufacturing Controls for Raw Egg Products 2008 - Guidelines for Mobile Food Businesses
- Food Safety Documents
Council’s Environmental Health Officer is available to discuss and assist food businesses to select and fill in the correct paperwork and to provide advice on food handling.
Standard Food Business
Standard fixed premises food business registration applies to cafes, restaurants, takeaway shops, schools, sporting clubs, B&Bs, catering activities, home occupation and other similar businesses.
Fees are determined using the Department of Health Risk Classification system, classing businesses in to Low, Medium and High risk. Information provided in the Food Business Application form provide Council with the details required to determine risk classification.
Fees and Charges can be viewed here.
Registration of standard food business runs in line with the financial year, starting on 1 July and expiring on 30 June each year. Renewals are sent out by the Council each year prior to expiration.
To apply for this type of registration, complete the Food Business Application Form and lodge with Council. Council’s Environmental Health Officer will then contact you to arrange a time to conduct a pre-registration inspection.
State-wide Mobile Food Business
A mobile food business is defined under the act as a food business that operates from a temporary structure or food van. This type of registration allows you to sell food from your food van or stall across Tasmania on a single registration. However, the Mobile Food Business Registration is not an approval to operate your food van or temporary structure anywhere in Tasmania – you must also comply with various planning, traffic and property owner obligations and approval processes.
Fees and charges for a State-wide Mobile Food Business can be found here. Please complete the Mobile Food Business application form and lodge with Council.
One-off Temporary Food Permit
This type of permit is limited to a certain location and date and most commonly utilised for one-off fundraising and events such as sausage sizzles, cake stalls, market stall ect where food is available to the public, whether that be for free or for a fee.
Fees and charges for this type of registration can be found here.
Please complete the Temporary Food Permit application form and lodge with Council, allowing 7-10 business days for processing.
Notification of a Food Business
A Low Risk notification only food business is required to notify Council of their activity. Notification is processed as a one-off with council providing a letter of acknowledgement approving the food business. Low Risk notification category foods are foods which are not cut, handled or prepared and do not require temperature control. Examples include, whole vegetables and pre-packaged snacks.
If you are not sure if the food you handle or the processes you use requires notification or registration, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Officer to discuss your requirements.
Complete the Notification of a food business form and lodge with Council. Council’s Environmental Health Officer will then contact you.
Online Applications
Council is trialling an online solution to food business registration.
Try our new Online form here, suitable for new food business applications and existing registration renewal.
Feedback regarding online applications is appreciated, please forward to council@circulardhead.tas.gov.au addressed to ‘Environmental Health Officer’.
Further Information
If you are planning to construct a new food business there may be certain planning, building and plumbing requirement that you need to meet before you can begin construction.
In Tasmania, food premises must be built in line with the National Construction Code (Tasmanian Appendix H102) requirement, which mirror the National Food Safety Standards.
Please view the fact sheet by the Department of Health to gain a greater understanding of what is required. A formal approval process involving a building surveyor and council environmental health officer (EHO) is prescribed under the state’s building regulations.
If you wish to construct a new food premises or make alterations to an existing food business, please contact Council’s Development and Regulatory Services on 03 6452 4885 to discuss your requirements.
Council takes all food related complaints with utmost seriousness, and are duty bound to undertake thorough investigations. Although rare, outbreaks of food borne illnesses can be managed or prevented through quick intervention, and relevant controls can then be implemented.
Council's complaint procedure involves written detail addressed for the attention of Council's Environmental Health Officer, which can then be documented in Council's register, and promptly followed up. Please be advised that all complaints are bound by Council's confidentiality charter.
Food handlers are required to have appropriate skills and knowledge to perform their food handling duties. Circular Head Council encourages all food handlers to undertake some form of food education and hygiene training.
IM ALERT is a FREE online food safety training program provided by the Circular Head Council. The training only takes a couple of hours to complete and if you don’t have time to do it in one sitting, you can do it over 30 days. The training is interactive, and a Certificate can be printed upon completion.
The Free Online Food Safety Training can be accessed by visiting IM ALERT
More information is available at on the attached flyer.