Holding An Event in Melbourne in a Public Space?

YOUR CATERER MUST BE REGISTERED WITH FOOD TRADER

Organising a public event in Melbourne is an exciting endeavour, but it comes with important responsibilities—particularly when it comes to food safety and compliance. If you’re planning to serve food at your event, understanding the regulatory requirements is essential.

Why Food Trader Registration Matters

When you hire a professional caterer for your public event in Melbourne, you’re ensuring your guests are protected by strict food safety standards. The Food Trader registration system in Victoria exists to safeguard public health and ensure all food served at public events meets safety regulations.

The Food Trade Portal

The caterer should inform the relevant council that they are trading or providing their services via the Food Trade Portal. This must be completed at least seven days before the event. This allows councils enough time to process registrations and ensure compliance.

Essential Certifications

All reputable caterers operate from a registered commercial food kitchen and hold certification to conduct a temporary food kitchen on site for the specific event they are catering for.

• ✓ Registered Food Kitchen Certificate – proof of a permanent inspected facility.
• ✓ Temporary Food Kitchen Certificate – approval for the event site.
• ✓ Food Trade Portal Notification – submitted 7 days before the event.

Flying Woks: Your Compliant Catering Partner

At Flying Woks, we handle the compliance so you can focus on your guests. We maintain current Food Trader certificates and are fully registered to cater events across Melbourne and Victoria.

Key Compliance Checklist

✓ Event registered with relevant council
✓ Caterer has valid Food Trader’s Certificate
✓ Notification submitted via Food Trade Portal (7 days prior)
✓ Registered permanent kitchen + Temporary site certificate