Food Business

Council’s Environmental Health Officers work with food businesses within the Inner West to ensure safe food handling and protect public health through inspections, guidance and compliance. 

Registering a Food Business in NSW

If you’re planning to operate a food business in NSW, you must notify your local Council before you begin trading. This applies to a wide range of businesses involved in selling or preparing food for retail.

Who Needs to Register with Council?

The following types of food businesses must register with their Local Council:

 

How to Register your business with Council

If your food business falls into the eligible types above, you can register easily via:

Charities, community groups and volunteers 

The role of charities and community groups has been recognised in food laws and certain exemptions apply to ensure that these organisations continue their valuable work within the community. To find out if your organisation meets these requirements please visit - Charities, groups and volunteers | NSW Food Authority 

Before you open your business, please ensure that you and your staff have a appropriate knowledge and skills in food safety. You can obtain these skills by completing the following courses:

  •  Food Safety Supervisor: It is a mandatory requirement that each food business has a designated Food Safety Supervisor.
  • NSW Food Authority provides free online training  
  • Council's Environmental Health Officers can also tailor a face-to-face session for you and your staff free of charge. To learn more about this please contact the Environmental Health Team on 02 9335 9020.

 Food Standards Code legislation | Food Standards Australia New Zealand. 

All new food premises must be built in accordance with AS 4674 – Design, Construction and Fit-Out of Food Premises. Southeast Queensland Food Safety & Public Health Working Group have developed a practical guideline - to help you understand key requirements of AS 4674.

As part of Council's commitment to public health and safety, our Environmental Health Officers are responsible for:

  • Inspecting local food businesses
  • Educating owners and staff on food safety best practices
  • Regulating businesses under the Food Act 2003 

Unannounced inspections are undertaken to ensure businesses are meeting the following food safety standards.

  • Cleaning and sanitising 
  • Hand washing and personal hygiene
  • Temperature control   
  • Protecting food from contamination 
  • Pest control 
  • Waste management and storage

This sample Food Premises Assessment Report will assist in preparing you for your Council inspection. 

Inspection Fees & Charges

Council charges an annual administration and inspection fee for food business inspections; you can view the latest fees below.

Fees and Charges – Inner West Council

All food sold in Australia must comply with the Food Standards Code. The code is made up of 4 mandatory food safety standards and is a set of regulations and guidelines aimed at ensuring that food for sale is safe for consumption. 

For more information, please view the below links:

Multilingual Support Available

Multilingual fact sheets are provided in a wide range of languages by the NSW Food Authority to ensure that all food handlers understand the food safety requirements and their obligations. 

For more information about retail food businesses please visit the NSW Food Authority

 

Some common food complaints that Council receive include:

  • Suspected food poisoning
  • Unhygienic or incorrect food handling (storage, transport, or prep)
  • Foreign matter in food
  • Undeclared allergens

If you have concerns about the food handling practices or hygiene of a food premises, please submit a customer request via Council's online portal here

Other Issues? Contact the Relevant Agency below

  • Customer service, warranties, or packaging safety - NSW Fair Trading
  • Weights & measures - National Measurement Institute
  • Liquor licensing - Liquor & Gaming NSW
  • Food manufacturers, wholesalers, butchers - NSW Food Authority

Page last updated: 10 Jul 2025