Food, beauty and home-based businesses
New and existing food business including market stalls and mobile vendors
When establishing a food business it is important you contact Lismore Council’s Duty Planner on (02) 6625 0500 to discuss what is involved and whether or not a Development Application is required.
All food businesses must be registered with Council prior to commencing operations.
If you have purchased a currently registered food business, then a change of ownership details needs to be submitted to Council prior to commencing operations.
For application to register and update business details, please fill out our Food Business or Home Business registration form.
To run a temporary food stall at an event, operate a mobile food van or have a food stall at the local markets, you need to register with Council.
For applications to register and update business details for market stalls and mobile vendors, please fill out one of the following forms:
Fees and charges for all food businesses can be found in our fees and charges.
Most NSW food businesses must have a trained Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) who holds a valid certificate issued by the NSW Food Authority (via an approved training organisation). For more information visit the NSW Food Authority.
Food businesses within NSW must comply with the following legislation and standards:
For further information please contact Council Regulatory Services Team on (02) 6625 0500.
NSW Food Regulation amendment
New laws for food businesses under Standard 3.2.2A
Changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code introduced new requirements for businesses that prepare and serve food in NSW.
Standard 3.2.2A introduces 3 tools for businesses handling and serving unpackaged, ready-to-eat food requiring temperature control, depending on their activities:
- have a qualified Food Safety Supervisor
- ensure all food handlers are trained
- be able to demonstrate safe food practices.
The Standard applies to most businesses from 8 December 2023. School canteens, children’s services providing food, supermarkets, greengrocers, delis, coffee vendors selling food, boarding schools and correctional centres have until 8 December 2024.
There will be no change to how Lismore City Council conducts our Food Surveillance inspections and skills, and knowledge and safe food practices will be assessed as usual during inspections. Most food businesses are already required to have a Food Safety Supervisor so please check that your certificate is still valid, ensure food handlers are trained and be able demonstrate safe food practices.
The NSW Food Authority has a range of resources to help businesses – including a free online food handler training course. Visit the Food Authority website for more information.
It does not apply to businesses licensed with the NSW Food Authority, businesses that only manufacture or wholesale food with no direct sale to consumers, or the handling of food for fundraising.
See the NSW Food Authority website for more information:
Building or modifying a food premises
When building or modifying a food business it is important you contact Lismore Council’s Duty Planner on (02) 6625 0500 to discuss what is involved and whether or not a Development Application is required.
If you are building a new food premises or plan to make changes to an existing kitchen, you must ensure that your design and construction meets the Australian Standard AS4674-2004 – Design, Construction and Fit out of Food Premises. This standard applies to all new food premises constructed in Australia. A copy of Australian Standard 4674-2004 is available at a cost from Standards Australia.
Once you have completed construction, contact Council to undertake an inspection prior to commencing operations and complete a Food Premises Registration Form (New Applications, Change of Owner or Updating Your Details).
Outdoor dining
If you wish to have outdoor dining at your café or restaurant, you need to apply with Council and lease the area. Cost is based on size of outdoor dining area and location within the LGA.
New hairdressers and barbers
Obtaining a development consent may be necessary when starting or growing a business. It is important you contact Council's Duty Planner to discuss approvals and Council's Regulatory Services Team on (02) 6625 0500 to register your business.
All hairdressers and barber businesses must be registered with Council prior to commencing operations.
If you are purchasing a currently registered business, then a change of ownership details needs to be submitted to Council prior to commencing operations.
For application to register and update business details, please fill out our Health Premises Registration (Beauty and Skin Penetration) form.
Hairdressers and barber businesses within NSW must comply with legislation and standards that can be found at NSW Health Hair Dressers and Barbers supporting information.
New beauty salons, tattooists and piercing parlours
What is skin penetration?
Skin penetration is defined as any procedure or treatment that intentionally penetrates the skin. This includes but is not limited to hair removal (by wax or electrolysis), acupuncture, tattooing, ear and body piercing, colonic lavage, cuticle cutting, waxing, electrolysis, semi-permanent make-up and any beauty treatment which involves the deliberate penetration or removal of the skin and any other procedure prescribed by the Public Health Act 2010.
The definition does not include hairdressers or barbers as their practices do not involve the deliberate penetration of the skin. They are required to follow infection control procedures when skin is accidentally cut or penetrated and to prevent the spread of skin infections.
If skin penetration procedures are not undertaken correctly they have the potential to transmit bacterial and fungal infections, as well as viral infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C. Infection control procedures must be implemented to protect the health of the client and the operator.
Registration
Obtaining a development consent may be necessary when starting or growing a business. It is important you contact Council's Duty Planner to discuss approvals and Council's Regulatory Services Team on (02) 6625 0500 to register your business.
If you are purchasing a currently registered business, you will need to update the owner details of the current registration by completing a registration form.
Useful links
These websites may provide useful information including legislation and fact sheets:
Home-based business
Looking to establish a home-based business? Find out the requirements and whether you need Council approval to work from home.
Alternatively you may wish to utilise Council's Duty Planner Service available either:
- In person at our Corporate Centre any-time between 8.30am and 10.30am on Tuesday and Thursday; or
- Over the phone during business hours on Tuesday and Thursday via (02) 6625 0500.
Enquiries and complaints
Complaints involving food poisoning are to be directed the NSW Food Authority on 1300 552 406. To assist you must have the following information available: the nature, time and location of the incident, name and address of the premises, function or event where you believe you consumed the food, symptoms and when illness occurred, what was eaten including all condiments.
Council investigates general complaints about food and health businesses. Phone our Regulatory Services Team on (02) 6625 0500.