Is Your Food or Public Health Business Registered?
Helping Keep Melton Safe, Healthy and Compliant
Melton City Council is reminding all business operators that many food businesses and public health premises must be registered before commencing operation in the municipality.
Registration helps ensure food is safe, public health risks are managed, and businesses operate in accordance with Victorian legislation.
Under the Food Act 1984 (Vic), most businesses that prepare, handle, store, sell or serve food must be registered with Council before trading. Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic), certain public health businesses and prescribed accommodation providers may also require registration before operating.
Food Businesses That May Require Registration
Examples include:
Home-based food businesses
Restaurants, cafés and takeaway food shops
Childcare centres
Aged care facilities
Catering businesses
Food trucks and mobile food vans
Market stalls and temporary food premises
Community groups selling food
Most food businesses must be registered with Council before commencing operation. Some low-risk food activities may only require notification rather than registration. If you are unsure, please contact Council for advice before you begin trading.
Public Health Businesses and Accommodation Providers
Certain businesses and accommodation providers that have the potential to impact public health may require registration under the Public Health and Wellbeing legislation.
Examples include:
Tattoo studios
Body piercing businesses
Certain beauty therapy businesses
Cosmetic treatment providers
Certain hairdressing and personal care businesses
Businesses undertaking skin penetration procedures
Rooming houses and other forms of prescribed accommodation
Other prescribed public health premises
Registration requirements depend on the activities being undertaken and the type of premises involved. If you are planning to operate a public health business or accommodation service, Council can help determine whether registration is required before you commence operation.
Not Sure If Your Business Requires Registration?
If you are planning to start a food business, public health business or accommodation service, we encourage you to submit your business proposal to Melton City Council before you commence operation.
Our Environmental Health team can assess your proposal and provide advice on:
Whether registration is required
Legislative requirements that apply to your business
Relevant approvals and compliance requirements
Design and fit-out considerations where applicable
Seeking advice early can help avoid costly delays, compliance issues and potential enforcement action.
Council Regularly Monitors for Unregistered Businesses
Council officers regularly monitor businesses operating within the municipality and investigate reports of potential unregistered food and public health premises.
We also work closely with registered operators and the wider community to identify businesses that may be operating without the required registration.
Businesses found operating without the necessary registration may be subject to enforcement action, including infringement notices and penalties under the relevant legislation.
Why Registration Matters
Registration helps ensure:
· Food sold to the community is prepared, handled and stored safely.
· Public health businesses maintain appropriate hygiene and infection control standards.
· Accommodation providers meet public health requirements.
· Risks to public health are identified and managed.
· The spread of foodborne illness and infectious diseases is minimised.
By ensuring businesses comply with their legal obligations, together we can help protect the health and wellbeing of everyone in the Melton community.
Need Advice About Your Business Proposal?
Before opening your doors, contact Council to discuss your proposal and determine whether registration is required.
Submit your business proposal via the link below for feedback from our Environmental Health team and other relevant council departments such as Building, Planning and Local laws:
Business Permit Enquiry Process Melton City Council
Let's Keep Melton Healthy and Safe
Melton City Council is committed to supporting local businesses while protecting public health.
By ensuring food businesses, public health premises and prescribed accommodation providers are appropriately registered, we can work together to maintain safe food, high public health standards and a healthier community for everyone.
Together, let's do our part to keep Melton healthy and safe.