Food business licences

If you are starting a new food business, you may need a food business licence from Brisbane City Council. You may also need a new food business licence if you are taking over an existing food business. Find information for new and existing food licences and requirements for footpath and outdoor dining in malls.

Council understands that many food businesses are experiencing hardship and challenges following the 2022 flood event.  We are here to help and will work together with you to help you reopen quickly and safely.

Refer to our Cleaning your food business after severe weather factsheet (Word - 264kb) for key information on decontamination, cleaning/ sanitising and food disposal. We've translated this fact sheet into five languages:

Getting your food businesses back on track as quickly as possible is our priority.  If your food business has been impacted and you would like further advice from an Environmental Health Officer or you would like to arrange an inspection prior to reopening, please contact Council on 3403 8888.

Find what you need

Council is hosting a series of free 20-minute sessions to help local food businesses and prospective food business operators to understand their food safety requirements for operating, monitoring and managing their food business under the Eat Safe Brisbane Scheme. These free fortnightly sessions provide an opportunity to speak face-to-face with a Council Environmental Health Officer, to ask any questions you may have about how the Eat Safe Brisbane Scheme and food safety requirements relates to your food business. These sessions will alternate each fortnight between the Brisbane Business Hub and the Suburban Business Hub (16 Aspinall Street, Nundah) from 2-4pm. To take advantage of a 20-minute session, bookings are required. To book visit Brisbane Business Hub and for sessions at the Suburban Business Hub.

Find Council's requirements for starting a new food business and information on the food business licence process. 

All licensed food premises must have an approved food safety supervisior and food safety program. Council rates food premises under the Eat Safe Brisbane food safety rating scheme. Find out how to renew, withdraw, or amend a food business licence, as well as requirements to renovate your food business. Request an inspection report for the current compliance status of your food business.

Quick access to all the application forms for food businesses.

If you are buying a food business that is already operating, you need to apply for a food business licence from Council. You must receive approval before you start trading. 

If you have an existing food business and want to offer dining on the footpath outside your premises, you may require a footpath dining permit from Council.

Council regulates outdoor dining in the Queen Street and Valley Malls to ensure pedestrian access and safety. Food businesses in these malls need a permit to have tables and chairs outside their premises.

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Last updated: 7 April 2022

Brisbane City Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and their unique relationship with their ancestral country. We pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of Brisbane, and recognise their strength and wisdom.