Mobile food vehicle licence

If you are planning on preparing food inside a truck, caravan or other vehicle you may need a food business licence. To be eligible for a mobile food vehicle licence to sell food you must be able to conduct all food handling within a vehicle.

The following are not eligible for a mobile food business licence and can apply for a temporary food stall licence:

• hot dog cart
• pizza oven on a box trailer
• ice cream cart
• vehicle where you stand outside to handle food.

Not sure if you need a food licence? Read council's frequently asked questions food business licence FAQs (DOCX, 331KB).

Getting a mobile food business licence

Follow these 3 steps to get your licence.

Step 1 - Prepare a plan application form

To assess the suitability of your proposed mobile kitchen, council requires that you submit a plan application. You will need to:

1. complete an application form, take advantage of shorter processing times by using the online application
2. provide a kitchen floor plan including elevations
3. pay the fees associated with making an application (fees located on the application form).

Note: If there are aspects of your premises that do not meet the requirements you may have to provide additional information or change yours plans. If you have already started building your premises prior to receiving the approved plans, you may have to modify the design if it is non-compliant.

Alternatively submit your plan application form by completing the hard copy form and emailing to [email protected].

Hard copy form: Food business plan assessment application form (DOCX, 256KB).

Step 2 - Food business licence application

To assess the suitability of your proposed kitchen, council requires that you submit a food business plan application. You can apply online for a plan application through MyCouncil by:

1. Log in or register as a new user of MyCouncil, if you haven’t used MyCouncil before it is quick and easy to register
2. click on submit application and select food business plan assessment
3. upload your kitchen floor plans and elevations
4. pay the application fees, the 2024/25 plan application fee is $727.00.

Once your application is received, council will assess the suitability of your premises against Food Standard 3.2.3 and the Design and Fitout Guide for Food Businesses.

Note: If there are aspects of your premises that do not meet the requirements you may have to provide additional information or change yours plans. If you have already started building your premises prior to receiving the approved plans, you may have to modify the design if it is non-compliant.

Step 3 - Final inspection

Council will then organise a time with you to undertake a food safety inspection to determine the suitability of the vehicle. If council determines that your application complies with the ​Food Act 2006 ​, you will be issued with a food business licence certificate which will need to be displayed when you are operating.

For additional resources please visit The Food Pantry.

Existing mobile food vehicle

If you are taking over an existing mobile food vehicle that has already completed a plan assessment with council, and no changes to fit out or food category will be made, you may apply by completing the mobile food licence application form. (DOCX, 276KB)