Food business classifications and fees

There are five classes of food premises, class 1, class 2, class 3A, class 3 and class 4. The classification system means that regulatory requirements are better matched to the level of risk associated with the food handling activities at different types of premises. Class 1 has the highest and class 4 the lowest level of legal requirements. In summary, the classes are:

 Class 1 
  •  Hospitals, child care centres and aged care services which serve ready to eat potentially hazardous food to vulnerable groups.
 Class 2
  • Premises that handle or manufacture unpackaged potentially hazardous food.  
  • Premises at which low risk food is manufactured, for which any allergen-free claim is made.
 Class 3A
  • Premises at which prepare and/or cook potentially hazardous foods which are served to guests for immediate consumption at an accommodation getaway premises.
  • Premises that use a hot-fill process resulting in a product such as chutney or jam.
 Class 3
  •  Premises that handle unpackaged low risk food, potentially hazardous pre-packaged foods or the warehousing or distribution of packaged foods (e.g. baked goods that do not require temperature control).
 Class 4
  • The sale to the public of pre-packaged low-risk food (e.g. confectionery, shelf stable food and drinks)
  • The sale of packaged alcohol – for example bottle shops and liquor shops
  • A wine tasting for members of the public, which may include the serving of cheese or low-risk food, which has been prepared and is ready-to-eat.
  • The sale to the public, or wholesale, of whole (uncut) fruit or vegetables.
  • The handling of low-risk food or cut fruit or vegetables and the serving of that food to children at an education and care services facility within the meaning of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010, and children’s services within the meaning of the Children’s Services Act 1996 (Victoria).
  • The offering to members of the public a free sample of a low-risk food for immediate consumption if that food is, or will be, available for sale at the premises in a packaged form (e.g. honey)
  • The serving of coffee, tea (with or without milk, soy, almond or any other liquid), alcohol (including the addition of sliced fruit, pasteurised dairy products), water, soft drink (except fermented soft drinks containing a live culture) intended for immediate consumption but does not include unpasteurised processed fruit or vegetables (for example, fresh juice) or any drink which has any other potentially hazardous food added, such as unpasteurised egg.
If you operate a Class 4 food business, you must Notify Council – this is a legislated requirement. There are no fees to apply for notification.

Food Business Registration Fees

To view the current registration fees charged by Frankston City Council please refer to the Food Business Registration Fees(PDF, 695KB).

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