New food business
This page provides advice on the construction and set up of a new food premise.
Development applications
A development application is required for all new food businesses. Council’s Development Officers are available to provide assistance.
Please contact a Development Officer on 02 4974 2036 for more information.
Australian Standards
The construction of the building must comply with Australian Standard AS 4674-2004 Design, Construction and Fit-out of Food Premises.
This standard can be purchased from Standards Australia 
or phone 1800 035 822. It is also available free of charge for viewing only at all Newcastle Libraries on the “NSW Net Computer”.
The internal construction and fit-out must comply with Food Safety Standards 3.2.3. This standard can be viewed and downloaded free of charge from www.foodstandards.gov.au
For further information and costs involved please call Compliance Services on 02 4974 2525.
Construction Guide
Guide to construction for food businesses (343Kb)
Home Manufacture
Home manufacture is not recommended, due to difficulties in manufacturing food for sale in a domestic setting. The operation of the business must comply with the Food Standards Code and Food Safety Standards 3.2.2 and 3.2.3. Alternatively, food services recommend hiring or leasing an approved comercial kitchen that is inspected annually by Council. Contact your local sporting club, school canteen, community hall or bowling club to see if they hire out their kitchen.
Food Business Notification
All food businesses in NSW must notify the NSW Food Authority of their food activity details, unless they are already licensed by the Authority. Go to www.foodnotify.nsw.gov.au . It is fast, free of charge and provides you with an instant certificate of confirmation.
Contact us
City Administration Centre
282 King Street
Newcastle NSW 2300
Tel: 02 4974 2000