Certain food producers and businesses in NSW must hold a licence from the NSW Food Authority to operate.
All retail food businesses must notify their local council before they begin to trade.
When you need a licence
You will need to apply for a NSW Food Authority licence if your business:
- produces, grades, processes or stores eggs (except small egg farms)
- produces or stores dairy, or is a dairy vendor or factory
- handles, processes, packs or stores red meat or poultry (except small poultry meat farms) for humans or animals (includes retail butchers)
- handles and wholesales seafood (excluding shellfish)
- cultivates, harvests or depurates shellfish
- produces plant products, such as seed sprouts, vegetables in oil or unpasteurised juices
- provides food service to vulnerable persons in hospitals and aged care facilities
- transports any of the foods above.
Go to Applying for a food licence on the NSW Food Authority website to find out how to apply (online or by post), fees and payment.
When you need to notify
Food businesses that do not need a NSW Food Authority licence must notify their details to either their local council or the Food Authority, depending on the type of business.
Learn more about Notification and Licensing.
Last updated: 24 March 2025