Get approval for a food business
Make sure you have all the right consents before you start trading.
Project Status: When you need to do this
If you're taking on an existing food or drink business, renovating or converting one you need to ensure that you have the appropriate consent.
Flexibility for restaurants and ‘dark kitchens’
Businesses can use existing premises with kitchen facilities to provide takeaway food and drinks.
‘Dark kitchens’ can be set up in any existing commercial kitchen, to allow for food and meal preparation to be delivered. These premises include community facilities, business premises, cooking schools and function centres, and must have development consent for the existing use.
What you need to do
1.Submit a business form
Operating a food business without consent is an offence. Before you open you need to submit a business registration form.
2.Arrange a free pre-development application meeting with a city planner
The site may already have development consent to operate as a food business. If not, check it is suitable before submitting your development application. Planning advice is available at the Town Hall Customer Service Centre.
3.Lodge your Development Application, DA
If you want to fit out a venue that serves food or drinks, or change its use, you need to lodge a development application through the NSW Planning Portal
4.Apply for outdoor dining (if required)
To apply for outdoor dining, you can download the application form.
5.Lodge your liquor licence application to Liquor & Gaming NSW (if required)
A liquor licence freeze is currently in effect for parts of the local area. To find out more and lodge your application, you need to go through Liquor & Gaming NSW.
6.Apply for Food Safety Supervisor accreditation through Food Authority NSW
Find out how to register and how to appoint a food safety supervisor. Further advice is available from our environmental health officers.
7.Apply for a trade waste permit through Sydney Water
If you discharge trade wastewater, you must have written approval from Sydney Water.
Public health & safety programs
Liquor accordsLiquor accords are voluntary partnerships between the liquor industry, local and state governments and the police.Public health & safety programs
Outdoor alcohol restrictionsThe City of Sydney is responsible for creating and maintaining well-designed streets and public spaces that are safe and attractive for residents, workers and visitors.
Before you start
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Do your research
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Complete your business plan
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Find suitable premises and investigate building codes, stands and facilities:
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Check your site
- Make sure it’s large enough and has a kitchen exhaust or room for one to be installed. The exhaust must discharge vertically above the roof level and not adversely affect another household or business. Further smoke or odour controls may be necessary.
- If a grease trap is required by Sydney Water, it mustn’t be installed in any kitchen, food preparation or food storage areas. You should be able to empty the trap from the boundary of the property.
- hand wash basins within 5 metres of all food-handling and service areas; provided with hands-free delivery of warm running water through a single spout
- a double-bowl sink or a single-bowl sink with a dishwasher
- a food-preparation sink, where food washing is carried out and a separate cleaner’s sink
- a hand basin and a sink for washing are also required in bar areas.
- exhaust hoods above all cooking areas
- cool rooms and freezers
- hot and cold displays capable of maintaining temperatures (>60 for hot, <5 degrees for cold)
- chemical and clothing storage.
- cold-water tap and hose connection
- impenetrable flooring, drained to a sewer
- smooth, impenetrable walls
- ventilation
- sufficient space for waste and recycling bins
- vermin-proof structure
- lidded waste bins to prevent pests.
- kitchen floors graded to a floor waste – timber and polished concrete are generally not suitable
- durable finishes such as stainless steel or tiles are advised for kitchen wall
- drop-in panels are unsuitable for ceilings
- benches and other equipment need to be raised 150 millimetres above the floor.
- If you own an existing food and drink business and want to extend your trading hours, please see the late trading for a business page.
Toilet and basin requirements
You’ll also need toilet facilities with hand-wash basins for staff and similar facilities for customers if the venue holds more than 20 diners.
The following sinks and basins are also required:
Kitchen requirements
Kitchens should have enough room for all equipment, staff movement and to keep bulk food supplies off the floor and raw ingredients separate from food that’s ready to eat. They also require:
Waste storage requirements
Waste-storage areas need the following:
Floors, walls and ceilings: Must be solidly built, smooth, impenetrable, durable and easily cleaned, even in store areas
Things to note:
How to open a food and drink businessPDF · 468.57 KB · Last modified
After you finish
Once all appropriate approvals have been issued, you can start trading.
