Mobile and temporary food sellers operating in the Northern Beaches need to comply with all aspects of the Food Act 2003. Here we explain the specific requirements you need to know to sell food through mobile or temporary premises.
Mobile Food Vans
Mobile food vans are required to:
- Be registered with Council and have approval to operate a mobile food van which needs to be displayed on your vehicle
- Be constructed in accordance with the NSW Food Authority Guidelines Mobile Food Vending Vehicles
- Comply with all aspects of the Food Act 2003
All mobile food premises require approval are subject to inspection as part of the approval process.
Approval fees are $654 for (1) one year or $1,569 for (3) three years (2025/26 fees).
For low risk vendors that do not serve food and only heat milk $437 for (1) year or $1,046 for (3) three years (2025/26 fee).
- optional $306 urgency fee for processing within 2 days
- optional $141 urgency fee for processing 3 -10 working days
Trading conditions:
- Must not trade within 200 metres of a fixed food premises
- Must not trade within 200 metres of an event unless approved by event organiser
- Must not trade on, access or enter any reserve (including reserve carparks) unless separate written approval from Council is provided and displayed on vehicle
- Must not place any other item outside the vehicle, including tables, chairs, food, equipment
- Must comply with road rules
- Vending is only permitted from any one location for a maximum of 1 hour over 24 hours, unless vending is associated with an approved event and approval has been granted as an “approved trader”.
Temporary Food Stall
All temporary food stalls should be constructed and operated in accordance with Council’s requirements for the operation of a temporary food stall. View the NSW Food Authority Guides
Temporary events and their food stalls must be correctly registered with Council and each display a current approval during trade.
Food stalls are also subject to approval with fees charged (2025/26):
- $306 for a 2 year Temporary food approval medium and high risk
- $306 for a 3 year Temporary food approval low risk (eg. only heats milk or no potentially hazardous food)
- $184 for a one day event approval
- optional $306 urgency fee for processing within 2 days
- optional $141 urgency fee for processing 3 -10 working days
