Business registrations keep Baw Baw safe

With an observed increase in beauty and food businesses setting up across Baw Baw Shire, Council is proactively reaching out to educate business owners about the importance of registering their premises to protect their business liability and to keep the wider community safe.  

It is a legal requirement that all new and existing food and beauty businesses premises are registered with Council to make sure they comply with relevant legislation, including the Victorian Food Act 1984, Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. 

All food businesses are categorised into four classes, each with their own registration requirements with Council. Businesses owners can find out which food business classification they fit into at the Department of Health Website.   

All health and wellbeing premises operating as a home business, or a shopfront must also register with Council. These include, hairdressing, beauty therapy, body piercing and tattooing services.  

Council’s registration of premises covers a 12-month period each year from 1 January, or the date the business commences operation, through to 31 December. When a business registers with Council, they receive education on all relevant legislative changes and regulations as well as annual inspections to help identify potential health and safety risks to their operations.   

“Simply put, if a business intends to sell food or provide a cosmetic service, there is a very likely chance the premises must be registered with Council” says Baw Baw Shire Mayor, Annemarie McCabe.  

“Beyond being a legal requirement, registrations make sure that our community is kept safe and that businesses are resourced to keep themselves protected from liability. Council serves primarily as an educator not an enforcer. We want all businesses to know they are supported to reach out to our Health teams to get advice, ask questions or seek support through the process.” 

Existing businesses -   Existing but unregistered businesses are encouraged to contact Council’s Public Health team via email to [email protected] or calling 1300 BAW BAW (1300 229 229) to guide them through the registration process.  

New Businesses -  Brand new or potentially new businesses are encouraged to contact Council’s Business Support Officer via email at [email protected] or by calling 1300 BAW BAW (1300 229 229). They are ready and waiting to assist with permit and registration applications, as well as provide information about upcoming grant funding, coaching and mentoring opportunities.  

Members of the public who wish to flag a potential unregistered business are able to call Council and put through an anonymous request. Contact details will remain private and confidential and Council will take the best course of action to investigate the request accordingly.