Food Manufacturing Licence QLD: Small Producer Help

Council licence or Safe Food accreditation?

Most food manufacturers in Queensland need a food business licence from their local council, which is usually what people mean by a food manufacturing licence in QLD. Primary produce is different. It is regulated by Safe Food Production Queensland under its own accreditation scheme. If your ingredients or process involve primary produce, confirm which regulator applies before you commit to premises.

Some activities are exempt from licensing, but food safety law still applies to exempt businesses. Working out where you sit is the first thing we help with.

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From recipe to application

Talk through your products
Tell us what you make, where you make it and how you sell it. We'll help you identify the right starting point.
Organise the details
We help turn your product, process and premises information into supporting material council can follow.
Prepare your application
We help complete the council application and note anything to confirm with council or Safe Food directly.

Describing what you make

Council needs a clear picture of your products and process. We help you set this out plainly, including products you plan to add later, since they can affect what council assesses. Manufacturing usually happens at a fixed premises, and other approvals such as planning and a suitable fitout may be needed alongside the licence. If you share or rent a production kitchen, mention it early.

A short summary of these points helps us scope your enquiry:

Each product and its main ingredients
How products are made, packaged and stored
Where you sell: retail, wholesale, markets or online
Premises address, size and current use
Any contact so far with council, planning or Safe Food
Your target start date

Baker kneading dough in a production kitchen

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every food manufacturer in Queensland need a council licence?

No single rule covers every manufacturer. Many need a council food business licence, some activities are exempt, and primary produce is regulated through Safe Food Production Queensland. Your products and process decide which applies.

Do food safety rules apply if I am exempt from licensing?

Yes. Queensland Government guidance says food safety requirements still apply to businesses that do not need a food business licence.

Do I need to tell council if I add new products?

Possibly. Queensland Government guidance includes an application pathway for changes to a licensed food business. Ask your council whether a new product or process counts as a change.