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Food Registration Fees

The cost of food registration varies according to the classification, size and operations of the business that is being registered under the Food Act.
 

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Registration Period - January to December

The Registration period is for the calendar year from 1 January to 31 December. 

There are currently no pro-rata fees.

If you register your business any time during the year and open before 30 September you will have to pay the full year's registration fee. After 1 October your registration fee will "roll over" to the next year. 

 

Initial registration

The cost of food registration for businesses is charged when the application form has been assessed by the Environmental Health Officer.

These fees are charged on a scale depending on the classification and the size of the food operation. These are approximate amounts only and no pro-rata fees apply.

The initial setup and registration fee range:

Class 1:$510 - $1534
Class 2:$468 - $2508
Class 3 and Class 3a:$241 - $1048

These are the 2025-2026 fee levels and is subject to change. 

There are no fees for Class 4 food operations.

Not for profit groups

Charities, Community Groups or Not for Profit Associations are charged at a lower rate and will be determined by the Environmental Health Officer at the time of registration.

The approximate range for these groups is Class 2 and Class 3 and Class 3a: $118 - $468.

These are the 2025-2026 fee levels and are subject to change.

Renewal fees

The annual food registration fees range:

Class 1:$340 - $1023
Class 2:$646 - $1672
Class 3:$312 - $646
 Class 3a:$161 - $312

These are approximate amounts only and no pro-rata fees apply.

These are the 2024-2025 fee levels and are subject to change.

Performance fees

Additional fees may be applied when a food business inspection does not rate an A, when inspected by the Environmental Health Officer.

These are called Performance fees and are added to the annual renewal fee when issued for the following year. This fee is based on the Food Business Compliance. 

If a premise is rated a C or below the fee will be applied and will be scaled ranging from approximately $200 - $335 per year.

These are the 2025-2026 fee levels and are subject to change.

Existing business

If you are taking over an existing business we recommend you visit the Business Victoria website to determine if running a food business is for you.

Changes to the Food Act in July 2021 means that there is no longer a requirement to transfer a food business when there is a change of ownership. New owners are now required to lodge a new application to register their business.

Further information is available at buying or selling a food business.

Common questions

If you are trading without a current and paid registration, then you are trading illegally and could be liable for penalties (such as fines) or prosecution.

For the 2025-2026 year, the legislated amount for fines range between $814 and $2035 for health and accommodation businesses, and between $1018 and $2035 for food businesses.

The registration fee would still need to be paid, even if a fine was issued and paid.

If you trade without registration, or for businesses who frequently pay their renewal of registration late, council may elect to prosecute where penalties that can be imposed by the court are much higher than fines.

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Documents

Credit card authorisation form 85 KB | doc
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