Food and retail licence check
Licences and registrations you may need to start a food or retail business.
This is a guide only. Every situation has unique needs.
Contact a Territory Business Centre to talk about your individual requirements.
What type of business are you opening?
Other business types
Use the Australian Business Licence Information Service (ABLIS). It's a free online tool that provides information about local, state or territory and federal requirements.
Based on your answers, you may need to apply for the following licences or approvals:
Producing trade waste
You may need approval to discharge trade waste.
Read more and apply on the Power and Water website.
Selling food
You must register a food business.
If you will be operating a mobile food van or serving food in a public space, you should also check requirements with your local council.
Playing music
You will need a licence if you plan to play copyrighted music.
Apply on the OneMusic Australia website.
Building, renovating or expanding
You must have a building permit before you begin construction.
You should also check if you need planning approval. Do this before you build or renovate.
Change of land use
Check if you need planning approval.
Do this before you change the use of a building.