Newcastle City Council

What you need to know

FEE STRUCTURE (2026-27, confirmed from Newcastle City Council Fees & Charges 2026-27 PDF): USE OF VEHICLE OR ARTICLE FOR SELLING (GST-free): Mobile Food Vans & Vehicles: $516 per approval (up from $491 in 2025-26). Temporary Food Stalls: $516 per approval. For inspection fees, see Environmental Health Inspection Fee. FOOD BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FEES (per premises per annum, GST-free): Small — up to and including 5 full time food handlers: $400/yr (up from $390). Medium — more than 5 but not more than 50 FTE food handlers: $900/yr (up from $800). Large — more than 50 FTE food handlers: $4,000/yr (up from $3,500). Charity organisations: $0. FOOD BUSINESS INSPECTION FEE (GST-free): $370/hr (minimum charge 30 minutes, 15-minute increments thereafter — unchanged from 2025-26). Re-inspection: $370/hr (15-minute increments). Pre-purchase Inspection Report: $854. NOTICES: Food Improvement Notices: $565. Certificate of Clearance: $500 (new in 2026-27, was $0). NOTE: Approval is invoiced AFTER application and preferences are reviewed — no upfront fee at submission. Submit application at newcastle.nsw.gov.au or email applications@ncc.nsw.gov.au (subject: address + application type). FOOD TRUCKS vs FOOD VANS: trucks = on-site hot/cold food prep (medium-high risk), max 4 hours per location, cannot return for 4 hours, cannot trade within 50m of a fixed food business or directly in front of a residential building, max 2.5m wide / 7.5m long (longer needs Road Occupancy Licence). FOOD VANS = pre-prepared drinks/sweets/low-risk, intermittent stops up to 1 hour. Both: 7am-10pm; no alcohol/cigarettes/non-food; approved locations only (interactive map on Council website); PLI $20M noting CN as interested party + CTP + Third Party Property Damage $20M. Approvals valid until 30 June; must reapply each financial year. Approval typically takes 5-10 days. Events: no separate permit needed — submit insurance to event organiser. Food Safety Supervisor required for unpackaged potentially hazardous food. Call (02) 4974 2000.