Register a temporary or mobile food business

Overview

Temporary food businesses are food premises that are not permanently fixed to a site – such as stalls or tents that sell food at markets or festivals.  

Mobile food businesses are vehicles such as vans, trucks, trailers or carts that sell food.

Private drinking water carts, food vending machines, sausage sizzles and cake stalls are also considered temporary or mobile food operators.

To legally operate a temporary or mobile food business in Victoria you must:

1. register your business with FoodTrader, and
2. lodge a statement of trade each time you operate to let all relevant councils know where and when you will be trading in their area.

You must also apply for a Fundraising Permit if you want to operate your mobile or temporary food premises for fundraising purposes on public land.

Food business classes

When you register your mobile or temporary food premises, your business is classified into one of 4 classes as set out in The Food Act 1984 (the Act). Your classification is determined by the food safety risks of your highest risk food handling activity.  

Class 2

• Temporary and mobile food premises handling unpackaged, potentially hazardous foods that need correct temperature control during the food handling process. This includes food that is cooked, refrigerated and reheated.
• Manufacturers of low-risk food for which an allergen-free claim is made.

Class 3

• Baked and unbaked sweet and savoury foods which do not require temperature control for food safety for a minimum period of 24 hours.
• Other low-risk foods not requiring refrigeration which are handled and packaged at the premises.
• Food vending machines selling prepackaged, high-risk foods like sandwiches, or unpackaged, low-risk food, like tea and coffee.

Class 3A

Home-based or temporary businesses that make hot-fill chutney type products.

Class 4

• Serving low-risk food like sausage sizzles that offer bread, onion and sauce (no cheese or other foods), stalls selling packaged cakes or wine-tasting events.
• Food tastings and serving of low-risk drinks.

Find out more on our Food business classification page.

Step 1: Register using FoodTrader

Class 2, 3 and 3A temporary and mobile food businesses

You can register your class 2, 3 or class 3A temporary or mobile food business online using the Victorian Government's FoodTrader website (formerly Streatrader). Visit the FoodTrader website.

Not-for-profit and community groups don't pay a fee to register through FoodTrader, however for-profit businesses will be required to pay a fee before registration is granted.

Class 2 food businesses may need to develop a food safety program and nominate a food safety supervisor.

Class 3 and 3A food businesses are not required to have a food safety program or nominate a food safety supervisor. However it is strongly recommended all food handlers complete the Victorian Government's free food safety training at DoFoodSafely online learning program.

Read the guide for community groups organising food fundraisers on the Victorian Department of Health website.

Registration takes about 21 days.

FoodTrader will then:

• identify your principal council
• classify your food premises
• advise whether you need to register with us (class 2, 3 and 3A) or notify us (class 4).

Class 4 temporary and mobile food businesses

If you run a Class 4 premises, you must notify us by registering on FoodTrader.  

We strongly recommend you complete the Victorian Government's free food safety training at DoFoodSafely online learning program.

Read the guide for community groups organising food fundraisers on the Victorian Department of Health website.

Step 2: Lodge a statement of trade

Once you have applied with FoodTrader and we've approved your application, you must lodge a statement of trade at least 1 day before trading to let the relevant councils know when and where you will be operating.

You can lodge a statement of trade through FoodTrader. There is no fee for this.

You don't need to lodge a statement of trade if you're catering at an event that is not open to the public, such as a wedding or work function.

Apply for a permit to use public land

You must apply for a Fundraising Permit if you want to operate your mobile or temporary food premises for fundraising purposes on public (Council) land, including:

• footpaths
• public car parks
• roads
• the side of a public road.

Find out more on our Apply for a Fundraising Permit page.