Register a food business
Food businesses operating in the Northern Territory (NT) are required to undergo registration and renewal each year.
You can apply online to start a new registration, or to renew or cancel your existing registration.
Who must register
You must register if your main business operation is to sell food.
You do not need to register if you:
- sell low-risk packaged food, such as those sold in pharmacies, newsagencies or bottle shops
- provide complimentary beverages, like those offered by a hairdresser or fashion outlet
- raise funds by selling food solely for community or charitable purposes and are listed under exemptions for charities and community events.
When to register
You must register if you have started a new or recently acquired a food business.
Registration is valid for one year, you must then:
- renew at least 30 days before the expiry
- start a new application if registration has lapsed
- cancel your registration within 14 days of selling or closing your business.
What you need
To start a new registration application, you will need:
- to verify your identity as part of the online registration or in person with an environmental health officer - get their contact details on the NT Health website
- business details including ACN or ABN
- contact information for the business proprietors
- the proposed menu
- evidence of water testing if the business uses private water supplies.
If you're renewing your registration, you do not need to provide the menu unless it has changed.
Fees
If you are renewing your registration, there is an option to pay the fee using a credit or debit card after completing your application.
For first time registrations, an environmental health officer will call you for payment.
You can also make payment over the phone to, in person at or by mail using a cheque or money order to the Receiver of Territory Monies. You must provide the premises trading name to make sure details on your payment matches your application.
Regulations
Read more about food safety and regulations.
Contact
For more information, contact Environmental Health. Get their contact details on the NT Health website.
Food business registration fees
Fees for registering or renewing depend on the risk classification of your food business.
You need to pay a registration fee for each premises where your food business operates. This does not include the different locations of mobile food premises.
Fees are set in revenue units, which change every year in line with the consumer price index (CPI).
Fees: new food business registration
Risk classification | Revenue units | Fee |
---|---|---|
Priority 1 | 180 | $243 |
Priority 2 | 90 | $121 |
Priority 3 | 45 | $60 |
Priority 4 | - | No fee required |
Fees: renewal of registration
Risk classification | Revenue units | Fee |
---|---|---|
Priority 1 | 145 | $195 |
Priority 2 | 70 | $94 |
Priority 3 | 35 | $47 |
Priority 4 | - | No fee required |
Fees: variation of registration conditions
Risk classification | Revenue units | Fee |
---|---|---|
Priority 1 | 90 | $121 |
Priority 2 | 45 | $60 |
Priority 3 | 22 | $29 |
Priority 4 | - | No fee required |
How to pay
You can pay your fee when you register or renew your food business online.
You can also pay your fee to the Receiver of Territory Monies (RTM).
Food safety and regulations
How to meet food safety standards and prevent food poisoning.
You must also make sure your food business is registered.
If you're starting a new food business or want to renovate an existing business, your building plans must meet certain requirements.
If your power goes out, read about food safety and power outages.
Private water supplies: food or accommodation businesses
If your business provides drinking water or uses untreated water you must make sure the water is safe to use by customers and staff.
Water for drinking and cooking must comply with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
This is because untreated water may contain microbiological or chemical contamination that can't be detected by taste or smell.
You can find the guidelines on the Australian Government's National Health Medical Research Council website.
What you need to do
If your business provides water from a private supply, you must:
- register with the Department of Health
- demonstrate that your water is safe by arranging water sample tests when you register or renew your business.
Water testing
The water you test must be taken from a kitchen tap or other relevant source.
You must arrange and pay for the below tests.
Bacteriological test
As a minimum you must get your water tested for bacteria. There must be no E. coli bacteria in 100mL of water tested to pass.
Chemical test
Private drinking water supplies must not exceed trace metal and other health thresholds outlined in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
If your water sample meets the guidelines, you can wait 5 years before taking this test again.
If the water is not safe
If a water sample test does not meet health guidelines - for example, if E. coli is detected - you must contact Environmental Health for advice.
You can get the contact details of your closest Environmental Health office on the NT Health website.
Water management plans
Developing a water management plan will help you to understand your drinking water system and better manage any risks.
Find out how to manage private water supplies.
Risk classification in food businesses
New risk classification system
Risk classification levels for Territory food businesses have changed. The new classification categories are listed below.
Your food safety requirements have not changed.
Food businesses in the Northern Territory (NT) are classified using the NT food business risk classification framework.
There are four classification categories based on risk level:
- priority 1 (P1)
- priority 2 (P2)
- priority 3 (P3)
- priority 4 (P4).
The classification depends on the inherent food safety risks that exist in your food business. The highest risk category is P1, followed by P2, P3 and then P4, which is the lowest risk category.
The fee to register or renew your food business depends on your business' risk classification.
Get a copy of framework.
NT food business risk classification framework PDF (491.2 KB)
NT food business risk classification framework DOCX (717.7 KB).
How your business is classified
Your food business will be assessed and assigned a risk classification by an Environmental Health Officer as part of your next inspection.
Risk categories are determined by the following:
- the types of food your business provides
- the processes used by your business
- which of the following sectors your business operates in:
- retail
- food service
- manufacturer
- transporter.
Register a commercial visitor accommodation
Every commercial visitor accommodation business operating in the Northern Territory (NT) is required to undergo registration and renewal every 5 years.
You can apply online to start a new registration, or to renew or cancel your existing registration.
Who must register
You must register if your business provides accommodation for 7 or more visitors and you are receiving a payment or reward in return.
This includes:
- hotel or motel
- serviced apartment
- road house or wayside inn
- lodge or hostel
- backpacker or cabin accommodation.
It does not include businesses that are:
- subject to a:
- tenancy agreement under the Residential Tenancies Act 1999
- caravan park site agreement under the Caravan Parks Act 2012
- a small bed and breakfast
- staff or student accommodation.
When to apply
You must register if you have started a new or recently acquired a commercial visitor accommodation business.
Registration is valid for 5 years. You must then:
- renew at least 30 days before the expiry
- start a new application if registration has expired.
All businesses must cancel their registration within 14 days of selling or closing.
What you need
To start a new registration application, you will need:
- to verify your identity as part of the online registration or in person with an environmental health officer - get their contact details on the NT Health website
- business details including ACN or ABN
- contact information for the business proprietors
- floor or building plans that show bedrooms, toilets and bathing facilities
- evidence of water testing if the business uses private water supplies.
If you are renewing your registration, you will only need to include floor or building plans if substantial changes have been made to the business.
Fees
The fee to register or renew is $337.
If applying online, there is an option to pay using a credit or debit card after completing the application.
You can also make payment over the phone to, in person at or by mail using a cheque or money order to the Receiver of Territory Monies. You must provide the premises trading name to make sure details on your payment match your application.
Regulations
There are health guidelines and regulations for operators of commercial visitor accommodation.
The guidelines aim to minimise the risk of infectious disease transmissions, injury and other health-related complaints.
For more information, read the:
- public and environmental health guidelines for public accommodation on NT Health ePublications website
- Public and Environmental Health Regulations 2014 on the NT Legislation website.
Contact
For more information, contact Environmental Health. Get their contact details on the NT Health website.