Buying or selling an existing food business

If you are buying an existing licensed food premises, you must apply for a change of ownership.

You may need extra approvals if:

  • the business includes an outdoor dining area, learn more about outdoor dining
  • you want to make significant structural changes to the existing food premises. Changes include refurbishing the kitchen, changing the floor plan or relocating plumbing fixtures.  Find out more about making changes to an existing food premises.

If you decide to close or sell your food business, you must notify Council by emailing council@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.

Licensed food premises search

If you are considering buying an existing food business, you can apply for a licensed food premises search.

A Council Officer will inspect the business and provide a report. The report will detail any structural non-compliances under the Food Act 2006 and Food Standards Code. You must provide written consent from the current licensee before the inspection can occur.

A 200340 fee is payable at the time of application, per Council's fees and charges. You can pay with Visa or Mastercard. 

Annual licence fees and renewals 

Annual fees are applied before the issuing of a licence. Licences are valid from 1 October until 30 September each year. 

Each year, holders of fixed, mobile or temporary annual food business licences will receive an offer of renewal. You must notify Council if you intend to accept or decline the offer. Food businesses will also receive a licence renewal notice.

Food Safety Programs

If you are buying a food business that requires a Food Safety Program, you will need to develop one and have it accredited by Council. Learn more about food safety programs.

Change ownership of an existing food business

If you decide to buy an existing food business, you must apply for a change of ownership.

How to apply 

Fixed food business

  1. Sign in to your Online Services account by clicking 'Apply to change ownership of existing food business' below. If you do not have an account, you can register.
  2. Go to 'Enquiries'.
  3. Find the enquiry type 'Permits and Licences - Environmental Health, Public Health and Food' and select 'Start'.
  4. In the 'I want to make an application for' question, select 'Food business', then select ‘Change of Ownership/Licence for existing Food Business Licence’’.
  5.  Enter your business address. If the food business is mobile, and you live in City of Moreton Bay, enter your home address. Otherwise enter Caboolture Administration Building, 2 Hasking Street, Caboolture, Queensland, 4510. Then select 'Next'.
  6. Complete all applicant or company details.
  7. In the ‘Type of premise’ question, select ‘Fixed premises’ and answer all the mandatory questions, then select 'Next'.
  8.  Select 'Lodge', then review and 'Accept' the terms and conditions.
  9. Upload supporting documentation under 'Attachments'.

Apply to change ownership of existing food business

A 201400 fee is payable at the time of application, per Council's fees and charges. You can pay with Visa or Mastercard.

Mobile food business

  1. Sign in to your Online Services account by clicking 'Apply to change ownership of existing food business' below. If you do not have an account, you can register.
  2. Go to 'Enquiries'.
  3. Find the enquiry type 'Permits and Licences - Environmental Health, Public Health and Food' and select 'Start'.
  4. In the 'I want to make an application for' question, select 'Food business', then select ‘Change of Ownership/Licence for existing Food Business Licence’’.
  5. Enter your business address. If the food business is mobile, and you live in City of Moreton Bay, enter your home address. Otherwise enter Caboolture Administration Building, 2 Hasking Street, Caboolture, Queensland, 4510. Then select 'Next'.
  6. Complete all applicant or company details.
  7. In the ‘Type of premise’ question, select ‘Mobile premises’ and answer all the mandatory questions, then select 'Next'.
  8. Select 'Lodge', then review and 'Accept' the terms and conditions.
  9. Upload supporting documentation under 'Attachments'.

Apply to change ownership of existing food business

A 201400 fee is payable at the time of application, per Council's fees and charges. You can pay with Visa or Mastercard.

Temporary food business

  1. Sign in to your Online Services account by clicking 'Apply to change ownership of existing food business' below. If you do not have an account, you can register.
  2. Go to 'Enquiries'.
  3. Find the enquiry type 'Permits and Licences - Environmental Health, Public Health and Food' and select 'Start'.
  4. In the 'I want to make an application for' question, select 'Food business', then select ‘Change of Ownership/Licence for existing Food Business Licence’’.
  5. Enter your business address. If the food business is mobile, and you live in City of Moreton Bay, enter your home address. Otherwise enter Caboolture Administration Building, 2 Hasking Street, Caboolture, Queensland, 4510. Then select 'Next'.
  6. Complete all applicant or company details.
  7. In the ‘Type of premise’ question, select ‘Annual temporary premises’ and answer all the mandatory questions, then select 'Next'.
  8. Select 'Lodge', then review and 'Accept' the terms and conditions.
  9. Upload supporting documentation under 'Attachments'.

Apply to change ownership of existing food business

A 201400 fee is payable at the time of application, per Council's fees and charges. You can pay with Visa or Mastercard.

Fee exemptions may apply for not-for-profit organisations.

For eligibility criteria refer to the Community and Environmental Services Fees and Charges Explanatory Notes.

More information or help with your application

For more information or help with your application, contact Council.

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