In this blog, the Food Agent Australia team explains the different requirements for taking over an existing kitchen (with no structural changes) versus fitting out a new kitchen.
So, if you are searching for your next premise to open a restaurant, cafe, dessert store, pub, bakery or similar, this article is for you!
In short, you will need a food business licence (this can also be manufacturing, mobile, or any other form of licence except home based & temporary stall), but if you are purchasing an existing business that already has an operational kitchen, and aren’t making any changes to the current fit out, you can have the licence transferred to you.
Acquiring a new food business licence typically involves some extra design approval steps to ensure the kitchen and food safety measures are compliant, hence transferring tends to be quicker.
What’s Involved with Transferring a Food Business Licence?
Transferring a food licence is usually a more straightforward process – because there is already an operational and licenced kitchen, and you aren’t making any changes to the previously approved design, you don’t need to undertake the design approval process from scratch.
This is what you can expect if you intend to transfer a licence with the help of Food Agent Australia:
1.Compliance Audit by Food Agent Australia: As this premises will have been audited before and received council approval, it’s unlikely any major changes will be required (unless the previous owners made changes without letting council know, if there has been significant damage/wear and tear within the premises or if the premises is significantly old and although previously compliant, it does not meet the most recent regulations). Typically, our Compliance Audit identifies general wear and tear, and what needs to be done in terms of upkeep and maintenance to get the premises back up to standard. We recommend this is done either pre-lease or pre-sale to identify any non-compliances/unwanted surprises prior to entering your sale or lease. Alternatively, we do this prior to lodging any council applications as it means any rectification works can be completed prior to your council inspection so that we can avoid licence refusal and help fast track securing approval.
2. Food Business Licence Application: Food Agent Australia will prepare and submit your food business licence application, along with any documentation/evidence required. manage the whole application process on your behalf including direct communication with council throughout the application process, providing any further information when requested or negotiating terms/conditions that may be required.
3. Food safety program: Food Agent Australiaprovides a food safety programdiary or food safety program, depending on the nature of your business.
4. Inspection booked: Food Agent Australiacoordinate this inspection with your local council. We also prepare you for your inspection and ensure you have everything you need on site to ensure inspections run smoothly and you receive the highest star rating the premises and your business can achieve
5. Inspections: Inspections generally go for 30mins depending on the size of the premises. In some cases, Food Agent Australia may attend your council inspection, but generally it is not necessary as we ensure you are completely prepared for the day.
6. Licence obtained: Once you’ve received the necessary approvals you can commence trading – generally you are allowed to trade immediately after/on the same day council gives the approval at your council inspection
Benefits of Using Food Agent Australia for Food Licence Transfer
Using Food Agent Australia to transfer the licence will set you up for success because:
Compliance Audit: We make sure the premises is still compliant or identify what maintenance work may be required to ensure you remain compliant. Not only can this help expedite approvals, but a Food Agent Australia compliance audit can help you increase (or maintain) the existing council ratingalso leading to possible discounts on annual renewals and more time between regular council inspections.
Our Relationship with Councils: We have solid relationships with local councils and that means we can help expedite the process.
Our expertise: We are experts in your local council regulations and have submitted ample applications to know what additional information your council officer may ask for – because of this, we include extra information and highlight certain compliances/procedures when we submit your application to council to reduces the amount of “back and forth” requests for information – which reduces processing time significantly.
EXPERT TIP: The council approval process can take UP TO 30 DAYS, but due to our experience and relationships we can usually have the process completed in half that time (and sometimes even less!)
Now let’s compare the transfer process with acquiring a new food business licence.
What’s Involved When making alterations or fitting out a new kitchen?
In this case, we will need to apply for a new food business licence. The steps for acquiring a new food business licence are the same as steps 1 – 6 listed above, with an additional design approval process at the very beginning.
Every food business must go through the design approval process at the outset. If you are taking over an existing kitchen with no structural changes, the previous owner would have completed this step hence it isn’t required.
Here’s what to expect:
Design Approval Process
Design approval is required by council if you are making changes to an existing kitchen, or fitting out a new kitchen, and is the first step in obtaining a food business licence.
Brisbane City Council is the only council that do not require design approval; however, we still recommend engaging Food Agent Australia to create or review your design drawings – Council come to inspect once your fit out is complete and you are ready to trade. Carrying out this step will ensure your shop fit out complies and is built right the first time. It will also avoid licence refusal and having to spend more money, making changes to the fit out later.
It typically includes:
- Site measure
- Design drawings: The Food Agent team offer very affordable design drawings that you can be given to your tradespeople or shopfitter. PLUS, our design drawings are compliant with local council requirements.
- Or if you have had your design drawings created externally, Food Agent Australia can review these drawings to ensure they meet requirements.
- Design approval application submitted with council
- The application and design are then assessed by council, and any requests for information and advice responded to.
- Once approval is received, fit out works can begin.
To learn more about our food business licence process, click here.
Benefits of Using Food Agent
Food Agent Australia help make the whole process seamless because we provide:
- Council compliant design drawings
- Design overlay to specify extra details and proactively address potential questions from council
- Unbeatable prices for design drawings
- Smoother fit out process
Obtaining a Food Business Licence
Whether you need to apply for a new food business licence or intend to transfer an existing one, Food Agent Australia is here to ensure the whole process is easy from concept to completion.
Click here if you have questions or call 0400 901 920 to learn more.
