Food Safety is an important regulatory function of Council. West Coast 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, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and other relevant legislation and standards.
There is a significant cost associated with incidents of food poisoning within Australia and it is a core responsibility of Council’s Planning and Compliance team to ensure a high level of food safety is maintained.
Food safety relates to many factors including but not limited to:
- Temperature control
- Contamination issues
- Personal hygiene and food preparation control
- Structural requirements of a food business
New food businesses operating on the West Coast require assessment (including inspection) and approval before operating to ensure food safety standards are met.
Before a food business the operator must contact Council to discuss if a permit is required. Council can support you to ensure you have the information to operate a compliant food business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, yes if you intend to prepare and sell food to the public (including free food and market stalls), you may need a Licence under the Food Act 2003.
We recommend contacting our Planning & Compliance Department before progressing with plans to prepare and/or sell food of any type. This ensures you are informed, and if permits are needed, that the process is underway and permits are obtained.
Mobile food vans require a statewide mobile food licence.
These can be issued by any Council in Tasmania that may be the food vans home base.
Vans then require bookings if wanting to park in Council spaces such as parks, car parks or streets. To assist in planning your mobile food van placement, a map of Council parking areas is available here.
If you are unsure if you require a booking or have the correct food licence, please contact our Planning and Compliance department.
A Notification of a Food Business Form is required to be provided to Council, but a food licence is not required.Â
To apply for a food permit:
- contact our Planning & Compliance Department. The team can provide you with the appropriate forms
- complete and submit the forms available on this page. Our Planning & Compliance Department will then be in touch to confirm details and provide further information.
Food and Street Dining
| Food Business Registration/Inspection (including mobile/statewide) – All Risk Categories | $240.00 | GST Exempt |
| Food Business Registration Seasonal Sports Club | $155.00 | GST Exempt |
| Temporary Food Licence (per day) | $42.00 | GST Exempt |
| Street Dining Licence (per table, per year) | $105.00 | GST Exempt |
| Annual Food Van/Mobile Vendor Hawkers (unlimited) | $930.00 | GST Exempt |
| Food Van/Mobile Vendor Hawkers (one occasion) | $95.00 | GST Exempt |
| Food Business Occupancy Report | $210.00 | GST Exempt |
From December 2023, new directives from the Department of Health determined that certain food services and food retail businesses must appoint at least one Food Safety Supervisor (FSS).
A Food Safety Supervisor is a person who:
- is trained to recognise and manage food safety risks
- hold a current certifiate
- can advise and supervise other food handlers at the business
- works on the premises and is involved in the day-to-day food handling operations of the business.
More information regarding Food Safety Supervisors can be found on the Department of Health website. Alternatively, contact our Planning and Compliance department if you are unsure if your business needs a Food Safety Supervisor or is currently compliant.
Food Safety Training
If you operate or work in a food business it is a requirement to demonstrate safe food handling skills and knowledge. One way to do this is to complete a Food Safety course.
The Tasmanian Public Health Services has partnered with the Victorian Department of Health to enable access to the free online DoFoodSafely training program.
DoFoodSafely is a free program and designed to enable you to understand how to safely work with, and handle, food in commercial settings.
A certificate can be printed upon completion of the course and can be submitted with your food permit application/renewal.
Should you require any further information regarding food safety training, please contact the Planning and Compliance Department.
Food Allergen Training
All about Allergens is a free online course designed for staff working in both front and back of house roles in food service establishments, providing best practice training and resources for managing food allergies.