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Apply for a food business licence

Last updated on August 27th, 2026

Use this service to apply for or renew a food business licence with the Environmental Health Department.

Who is this licence for

You need a food business licence before you start trading if you handle food.

Food business - any trade or business where a person handles food. This includes canteens, clubs, schools, hospitals and institutions, whether or not they are run for profit.

Handling food - taking part in selling food, or in preparing, transporting, storing, packing, wrapping, displaying for sale, serving or delivering it.

Food - any substance, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, which is intended for human consumption and includes drink.

Read The Health Services (Food Hygiene) Regulations, 1969 for the full legal requirements.

You will require a different licence if you operate:

  • a restaurant
  • a catering business
  • a bakery

Before you start

You may need to provide:

  • your current food business licence number, if you are renewing
  • a vehicle registration number, if the business uses a vehicle
  • a document listing your staff, giving each person's name (staff list)
  • details about other places where food or drink is prepared
  • medical certificates for your staff, which can be uploaded with your application or provided at inspection
  • a floor plan drawn to scale, showing the size of the different areas and where they are
  • licence renewals: a new floor plan is only needed if you have made structural changes to the food business since your previous licence was issued
  • new buildings: your Planning and Development Department application number for the building plan you submitted

Everyone who handles food needs a valid medical certificate from a registered doctor. Medical certificates expire on 31 December each year, and should be renewed before the first working day in January each year. You can upload the certificates with your application or provide them at the inspection.

When to apply

Your licence lasts for one year. It expires one year after it is issued. The expiry date is shown on your licence. Apply to renew it at least 30 days before it expires.

Complete the form

There are 2 ways to apply for a food business licence. You can:

  1. Apply for a licence online

    Allow about 15 minutes to complete the form.

    Start now

  2. Get a paper application from the polyclinic

    You must complete it by hand and submit the application to the polyclinic associated with the district where the food business is located. If you require further information or assistance, contact the polyclinic - information can be found at the bottom of this page.

Cost

There is neither a cost to apply, nor to receive your licence.

What happens after you apply

  • Environmental Health will review your application and an officer will be assigned to your case.
  • They must inspect the food business before they can issue a licence. More than one visit may be required before the issuing of a licence.
  • If there are any contraventions of the Health Services (Food Hygiene) Regulations, you will be given instructions to rectify them within a specified time period. Until the contraventions are rectified, you will be unable to operate the food business. Failure to comply may result in a recommendation to cancel the licence or close the establishment, or in prosecution.
  • If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email and the Environmental Health Office will mail your licence. In addition, you can also request to collect it from your assigned polyclinic.

Once you receive your licence, it must be displayed in the establishment.

Contact

If you need help, contact the relevant Environmental Health Service office.