Health approvals for businesses

Once all approvals have been obtained from the City’s Planning and Building approvals and other relevant organisations (e.g., trade waste approval from Water Corporation), you are required to submit a Food Premises Notification Form to Environmental Health for assessment and approval prior to commencing business operations. 

Your application must be accompanied by the following required attachments:

• A copy of the Business Registration issued by the Australian Business Register. Please note this document needs to show the legal entity for the business, i.e., individual, partnership, or proprietary limited (note: a trust cannot be accepted)
• A scaled copy of premises floor plans showing the position of all fixtures and equipment, including:
  • Scaled sectional elevation plans showing the position of all fixtures and equipment
  • Information on all wall, floor, and ceiling finishes
  • An indication of hot and cold water supply and wastewater services
  • Details of hot and cold water supply and wastewater services
  • Location and details of toilet facilities
  • Mechanical exhaust ventilation and grease traps (where applicable)
  • Information on bin storage enclosures and wash down facilities
• Your menu (if applicable).

Depending on the type of food business you operate, you may be required to appoint a Food Safety Supervisor, who will be required to provide a copy of their qualification in SITSS00069 - Food Safety Supervision Skill Set in accordance with Food Safety Standard 3.2.2A (refer to Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code for further information).

Once your application has been assessed by an Environmental Health Officer and is deemed compliant (this will involve a site inspection), your business will be registered with the City, and you will be approved to start operations.

Existing businesses

Existing businesses must submit a Food Premises Notification Form within seven days when there has been a change of proprietor/business entity at an existing food premises, or when there is a change in the business name or nature of business. Please contact the City on (08) 9205 8555 or email environmentalhealth@stirling.wa.gov.au for further information.

Food premises notification form

A Permit to Provide Food at Events allows food businesses and not-for-profit organisations to trade at City of Stirling run/approved events, and is valid for a specified financial year (and may be renewed annually).

Food Stall Permits are required for all temporary food vehicles and/or stalls, including charity/community fundraising and registered food businesses, selling, supplying or giving away food free-of-charge. Applications will be assessed for compliance with the Food Standards Code Standard 3.2.2A Food Safety Management Tools, including Food Safety Supervisor requirements.

In addition to holding a current Food Stall Permit, applicants must obtain consent from the event organiser, and hold a current Public Liability Insurance policy to a minimum $10 million.

Applications must be submitted a minimum of four weeks prior to an event, to environmentalhealth@stirling.wa.gov.au.

All proprietors and food handlers are required to have skills and knowledge relevant to the tasks they carry out in the food business. The same legal requirements apply for mobile, temporary and home-based food businesses.

Chapter Three of the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code outlines the structural requirements your business must meet, as well as highlighting the essential food handling and staff hygiene practices that must be followed to ensure the safe production of food. The City also has a food business guide to summarise relevant requirements for start-up food businesses.

It is important that you take the time to read the requirements of the Food Act 2008, the Food Regulations 2009 and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Food Safety Standard 3.2.2A became law on 8 December 2022 and food businesses that handle unpackaged, potentially hazardous food that is ready-to-eat have had to comply with the standard since 8 December 2023. Environmental Health Officers are required to assess for compliance with the Standard.

The Department of Health (WA) website provides information guides (including a range of translations), details of approved food safety supervisor training providers and FAQs to assist food business owners in complying with the requirements. The Standard has been introduced to assist food businesses to manage food safety risks more effectively; helping prevent food-borne illness and food poisoning outbreaks, which may result in loss of revenue and reputational damage to your business.

Food businesses are classified as category one or category two businesses depending on their operations. The requirements for both categories include implementation of food safety management tools such as food safety supervisor and food handler training. Category one businesses must also implement substantiation of critical food safety controls, such as maintaining record keeping for temperature control, food deliveries and cleaning and sanitising.