Permits and Licenses

Council works with food businesses to ensure that they are providing safe and suitable food to their customers. Council monitor the standard of food businesses and food handling practices against the Food Act 2006 and Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Do I need a food business licence?

Regardless of whether you are opening a new food business or taking over an existing premises, you may require a food business licence.

• Application for Food Business Licence
• Application for amendment of Food Business Licence
• Application for Food Business Licence Restoration

A fixed food premises includes any type of business located in a building or other structure, or part of a building or other structure that has a permanent address. For further information on requirements for food premises design, construction and fit-out refer to the Queensland Health Guide.

Footpath Dining

Council is required to monitor the standard of operations in food premises that provide footpath/roadside dining. Council regulates footpath/roadside dining is to ensure these activities are carried out in a safe manner for diners and pedestrians.

• Application for Footpath Dining Permit
• Design Criteria for Food Premises

A mobile food business includes any type of business selling potentially hazardous food from a van, truck, trailer or motor vehicle. A mobile food business only requires licensing from one local council area in Queensland from where it is based.

Market stalls and stalls at fetes are examples of a temporary food business. If you operate your temporary business in more than one local government area, you are required to hold a food business licence with each of the local councils where you intend to operate.

Application for Temporary Food Business Licence

A food safety program is a written document indicating how a food business will control the food safety hazards associated with the food handling activities of the business. Only certain high risk food businesses are required to have food safety programs.

Licensable food businesses are required to have an accredited food safety program if:

• The food business involves off-site catering
• The primary activity of the food business is on-site catering at the premises stated in the licence
• The primary activity of the food business is on-site catering at part of the premises stated in the licence to cater to 200 or more people on 12 or more occasions in any 12 month period
• The food business is carried on as part of the operations of a private hospital or otherwise processes or serves potentially hazardous food to six or more vulnerable people.

To fill out a food safety accreditation form, click here.

For further information refer to the Queensland Health website.

Food Safety Program Resources

Queensland Health – Food safety programs information for businesses

Queensland Health – Register for approved auditors

To help understand the process for licence renewals and preparing for inspections, refer to the tool box website. You will also find information on how Council investigates complaints and takes enforcement action.

Personal appearance services include beauty therapy, body piercing, hairdressing and skin penetration services (tattooing, scarring and implanting substances). However, only businesses that provide higher risk personal appearance services need a licence from Maranoa Regional Council.

• Application for High Risk Personal Appearances Services HRPAS
• Infection Control Guidelines for Personal Appearance Services 2024

Council regulates caravan parks and camping grounds to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and hygienic condition and that they provide appropriate facilities. Compliance with Council's requirements will assist you in providing a safe environment for your customers.

• Application for Caravan Park and Camping Grounds Licence
• Renewal Application for Caravan Park Licence

Council regulates roadside vendors to ensure these activities are carried out in a safe manner for road users and pedestrians. This activity means the commercial supply of goods or services on a road.

Application for Stationary or Mobile Roadside Vending Permit

If you are undertaking regulated activities on Council controlled areas or roads you may require a permit before you can conduct your activity. For example: Display of goods on the footpath, Street Stall, display or information booth or musical or theatrical performance.

Application for permit for use of road or footpath

For further information, please contact Council's Environmental Health Department on 1300 007 662.

Non-Profit Organisations in Maranoa Region – Queensland Food Act 2006 Requirements

The Maranoa Regional Council values the vital contributions of non-profit organisations and community groups across the region, recognising their essential role in fostering community spirit and delivering meaningful services.

Council is committed to supporting these groups in achieving and maintaining compliance with food safety standards under the Queensland Food Act 2006 by providing guidance and educational resources. Council aims to ensure that all food-related activities are conducted safely, responsibly, and in alignment with legislative requirements, safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the community.

Queensland Health recommends local governments maintain a register of non-profit organisations providing food to the public, even if a full Food Business Licence is not required. A new Non-Profit Food Notification Certificate is being introduced to replace the requirement of temporary food licences for non-profit organisations. This initiative reduces the requirement of organisations lodging multiple temporary food applications each year.

The non-profit register will allow Council to:

• Provide advice, support, and updates on food safety compliance.
• Assist in managing food-related incidents, such as foodborne illness outbreaks.
• Assist organisations with achieving compliance with the Queensland Food Act 2006.

This initiative aims to streamline food safety requirements while supporting the vital contributions of non-profit organisations to the community.

Non-Profit Organisation Food Notification Certificate Application Form

Non-Profit Organisation Food Notification Certificate

Food safety in non-profit organisations This document provides non-profit organisations supplying food as a fundraising activity with guidance on the requirements under the Act. Information contained in this document includes an overview of exemptions under the Act, food safety requirements, activities that have an exemption from licensing and activities that are licensable by Local Government. 

Food safety for fundraising events This pocketbook guide has been developed to assist non-profit groups to comply with the food safety requirements for a fundraising event under Queensland food safety laws.

Other Links: 

 Non-profit organisations | Health | Queensland Government
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