New Business
If you are planning on opening a new business whether it be a business
that handles or sells food, provides accommodation, a
hairdresser/beauty parlour services, conducts skin penetration activities
(ear piercing and tattooing), or operates a caravan park, there is
legislation in place that requires the registration of these businesses with
Council.
Legislation
Food Act:
The Victorian Food Act 1984 along with the Food Code
and the Food Safety Standards covers all businesses
that handle, pack, prepare and sell food. Therefore all
businesses regardless of their size that are involved with
Food must be registered and must comply with the
requirements of the above legislation.
You should be aware that the sale of food occurs even
when food is given away, an exchange of money is not
necessary to define a sale.
Alcohol is also a food. A club, organisation or business
that only handles alcohol must be registered under the
Food Act as well.
Food that is provided in conjunction with another
service such as accommodation is also covered by the
Act. In some cases this will mean that a business must
be registered twice, once under the Food Act and once
under the Health Act.
When a business operates over more than one site,
registration of each and every site is required.
Registration commences on the day that you submit the
application forms to Council along with the required fee.
Registration is for 12 months and an application to
renew registration must be submitted before your
current registration expires.
The application fee that is paid for the first registration
contains a surcharge that covers the initial inspections
of the premises and approval of the plans.
All business registered under the Food Act are inspected
at least once per financial year, for compliance with the
Food Act, Food Safety Standards and Food Safety
Program.
If you intend on opening a new business that involves
Food further information is available from
Environmental Health Services
Environmental Health Services
Ballarat City Council
Ph: 5320 5702
Health Act:
The Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
along with various regulations applies to all businesses
that undertake the following activities:

Hairdressing / Beauty Parlour this includes premises
that undertake waxing, beauty treatments and nail
treatments.

Skin penetration - including ear piercing and
tattooing

Accommodation - any premises that provides
accommodation for more than 5 persons including
hotels, motels, some guest houses (or B&B's) and
school dormitories

Acupuncture - those premises that undertake the
activity of acupuncture and are not registered under
the Chinese Medicine Registration Act 2000.
Some business such as those that provide
accommodation may also require registration under the
Food Act 1984 for any meals that are provided.
Registration commences on the day that you submit the
application to Council along with the required fee. All
registrations issued under the Health Act expire on 31 st
December. An application to renew registration must be
submitted before your current registration expires.
The application fee that is paid for the first registration
contains a surcharge that covers the initial inspections
of the premises and approval of the plans.
All business registered under the Health Act are
inspected at least once per financial year, for
compliance with the Health Act and any relevant
regulations.
If you intend opening a new business that will require
registration under the Health Act further information
available from Environmental Health Services
Info Sheet No 1
31/07/17
Residential Tenancies Act:
The Residential Tenancies Act requires the registration
of all Caravan Parks.
Many caravan parks also operate a kiosk and as such
registration under the Food Act will also be required.
Registration commences on the day that you submit the
application to Council along with the required fee.
Registration is issued until 31st December of that year.
An application to re register must be submitted before
the expiry of the current registration. All registrations
issued under the Residential Tenancies Act expire on
31st December.
All business registered under the Residential Tenancies
Act are inspected at least once per financial year, for
compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and any
relevant regulations.
If you intend opening a Caravan Park please talk with
Council's Environmental Health Officers
Additional Advice.
Any one contemplating opening a new business should
make contact with the following organisations. They
may be able to provide you with additional assistance
and let you know if any other approvals, registrations or
licences will be required. This list is not exhaustive but
may be of assistance.
Within Council:

Statutory Planning for Town Planning Advice,

Building
for
requirements.

Compliance/Local Laws for advice on Local Laws
particularly in relation to advertising signs on
footpaths

Rates office to discuss what rates and charges are
likely to apply.
any
building/fire
compliance
Phone: 5320 5500
Other Contacts:

Central Highlands Water - for advice on water
supply and grease traps.
Phone: 5320 3100

Liquor Licensing Victoria
Phone: 9655 6696

Small Business Association
Phone: 5320 5910

Consumer & Business Affairs Victoria
Phone: 1300 55 81 81

Specific industry associations
Environmental Health Services
Ballarat City Council
Ph: 5320 5702
Info Sheet No 1
31/07/17