WESTERN AUSTRALIA MARKET OPERATORS HANDBOOK SECTION

A. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS (WA) 1. Public Land (council-controlled land, roads, public spaces, streets) Food stalls and mobile food vendors operating under many WA local governments must hold current Public Liability Insurance in order to obtain a Temporary Food Vendor / Stallholder Permit or Public Trading Permit. City of Perth+2Canning+2 For example, the City of Canning requires a copy of the applicant’s Public Liability Insurance and a valid Food Act 2008 Registration before the vendor permit is issued. Canning For temporary or mobile food businesses, the WA regulatory framework references the Food Act 2008 for registration/notification requirements and enforcement obligations. Busselton City Council+2WA Health+2 2. Private Land (private venue, commercial premises, private property) Where markets or stalls are held on private land, insurance (public liability or event liability) requirements depend on the agreement between operator and landowner. Local councils do not automatically regulate private-land events — but if food or public trading is involved, the operator must still comply with WA food-safety law under the Food Act if food is served. City of Vincent+2Assets+2 Permanent or “fixed premises” food businesses on private land must register under the Food Act, which involves compliance with structural and safety standards and ongoing registration/inspection regimes. WA Health+1 B. STALL LAYOUTS & SITE Design 1. Public Land Temporary food stalls, vehicles, and markets The WA regulatory document “Guidelines on Temporary and Mobile Food Businesses” defines requirements for temporary and mobile food premises under the Food Act 2008. These apply to stalls/trucks at markets or events. WA Health Local councils such as the City of Fremantle require submission of a stall/vehicle diagram (layout), proof of public liability insurance, and evidence of food safety knowledge/competence in order to grant a Temporary Food Business Licence. City of Fremantle For larger stalls or events with multiple vendors, councils may require a full event application including stall-layout plans, vendor registration, and compliance with minimum stall standards (structure, hygiene, safe food handling) consistent with the Food Act and food-safety code. Shire of Augusta Margaret River+2Bassendean Markets+2 2. Private Land For events or markets held on private land, stall layout and design must comply with the same food-safety and building/health requirements if food is served: registration under the Food Act 2008, compliance with the structural and hygiene standards, and appropriate documentation. City of Vincent+1 If private land events optionally involve public access or are treated as “markets,” event organisers or stallholders may still need to seek approval from the local council depending on local planning or trading-in-public-spaces laws. City of Perth+1 C. TRAFFIC FLOW (Pedestrian & Vehicle Movement) 1. Public Land Events / Markets impacting roads or public spaces For events that impact roads or require road closures, organisers must apply for the relevant permit under the regulatory framework managed by state authorities: application for road closures or suspension of road traffic laws needs to be submitted through the police/road-authority process (for example when roads are affected). Western Australian Government For markets or events where stalls, foot traffic, and possible crowding occur — particularly if vehicle access is required for bump-in or bump-out — it is common for councils to require traffic or public trading permits, especially where trading uses footpaths or public roads under local trading laws. City of Perth+2gosnells.wa.gov.au+2 2. Private Land On private land, traffic flow (vehicles, pedestrian movement) is governed by the site owner’s conditions and any relevant local planning or safety laws. If access intersects public roads or footpaths, then permits or approvals may be required under state or local law, depending on the scope of public access or road usage. For private venues used for markets or events, parking, loading access, egress, and emergency access should still comply with applicable building, safety, and local planning laws (if public access is involved). D. COUNCIL / REGULATORY APPROVAL PROCESSES 1. Public Land (markets, street stalls, food trucks, events on public property) Food business registration / permit Under the Food Act 2008, all food businesses — including temporary or mobile food stalls — must be registered with the relevant local government authority in WA. WA Health+2Busselton City Council+2 For public-land trading (food stalls, food vehicles, temporary markets), many councils require a Temporary Food Vendor / Stallholder Permit. For example, the Town of Cambridge requires such a permit (or for staff to be listed as authorised helpers), along with Food Act registration and public liability insurance. cambridge.wa.gov.au For mobile/street vendors and public trading on footpaths/roads, a Public Trading / Mobile Food Trading Permit may be required — as in the City of Perth policy. City of Perth+1 For large events/markets with multiple stalls, the application may require submission of a full event application including stall layout plans, vendor list, insurance, food registrations, and other event documentation — depending on local council requirements. City of Cockburn+2Bassendean Markets+2 2. Private Land (private venues, commercial properties, private car parks) If a market or event on private land involves sale of food, the business must still comply with the Food Act 2008, i.e. be registered or notified as a food business before trading. WA Health+1 If the private land use involves public access or activities akin to a market/event (crowds, stalls, public entry), the organiser may need to consider local planning or building permits depending on venue capacity, safety, or amenity requirements. Private-land events do not automatically fall under “public trading” permits, but may still need to meet regulatory obligations associated with public health, safety, and local laws if they draw a public audience. E. VOLUNTEERS vs STAFF (Workforce & Food Handling in WA) Under the WA Food Act 2008 and associated regulations, food businesses — whether operated by private enterprises or community/charity groups — must register before trading. For not-for-profit or charity vendors, some exemptions may apply for low-risk or single-day events; however, they still require public liability insurance and compliance with food-safety standards if selling food. Canning+2Assets+2 Councils (e.g. City of Fremantle) require proof of “food safety knowledge and skills” from food handlers, regardless of where they sit (volunteer or employee) for temporary food stalls or vehicles. City of Fremantle+1 Temporary food vendors and mobile food premises must meet structural and operational standards under the Food Act and relevant local laws, which apply regardless of employment status of the individuals working the stall. City of Vincent+2Busselton City Council+2 F. SAFETY + FOOD SAFETY + EVENT REQUIREMENTS Food Safety & Hygiene Standards Temporary food premises (stalls, food vehicles, mobile vendors) in WA must comply with the national standards for food safety: the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (as adopted under WA legislation) — including Standards for premises, equipment, food handling, and hygiene. Food Standards Australia New Zealand+2City of Vincent+2 Food stalls must provide adequate facilities: safe structure or vehicle, clean surfaces, correct food storage and temperature control, appropriate hand-washing and utensil-washing facilities, clean water, waste disposal, and cleanliness standards in line with council or Food Act requirements. Shire of Augusta Margaret River+2City of Fremantle+2 Food handlers must have food-safety training or certification (or in lower-risk / charity settings, meet minimal hygiene standards) as defined under local council policies and Food Standards regulations. City of Perth+2stirling.wa.gov.au+2 Event and Public Safety / Permits for Larger Events If the event involves public spaces, footpaths, or roads (markets, fairs, street events), then organisers may need to obtain event permits, public trading permits, or road-usage approvals — particularly if the event will impact traffic flow, require road closures, or use public thoroughfares. For major events, permits must be submitted via state or local authorities. Western Australian Government+2City of Perth+2 If multiple food vendors are involved, or significant public attendance expected, councils often require a bundled application: a “Large Event” Temporary Food Premises application that includes stall diagrams, vendor registration, insurance documentation, and compliance with health and safety standards. City of Cockburn+2Assets+2 Not-for-profit and charity organisations running stalls at events are treated under the same food-safety and public-health obligations, though sometimes with reduced or waived fees under certain local council policies. Shire of Augusta Margaret River+1 REFERENCE LIBRARY — WESTERN AUSTRALIA (OFFICIAL LINKS) WA Health — Guidelines on Temporary and Mobile Food Businesses (Food Act 2008) https://www.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/general-documents/food/PDF/guidelines-on-temporary-and-mobile-food-businesses.pdf WA Health City of Perth — Temporary Food Vendor Permit / Public Trading Permit & Mobile Food Trading Guidelines https://www.perth.wa.gov.au/forms-and-payments/residents-and-businesses/Business/licences-and-permits/temporary-food-vendor-permit and related Public Trading Permit information. City of Perth+1 City of Fremantle — Temporary Food Stalls / Food Vehicle Permit requirements https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/services-and-support/environmental-health/food-and-drink/temporary-food-stalls/ City of Fremantle City of Canning — Food Vendor Permits for events and markets (Food Act 2008 registration, Public Liability Insurance) https://www.canning.wa.gov.au/city-services/health-services/food-businesses/food-vendor-permits/ Canning City of Vincent — Temporary Food Premises Guidelines (Food Act 2008, local law compliance for temporary/mobile food businesses) https://www.vincent.wa.gov.au/Profiles/vincent/Assets/ClientData/Documents/Environment/Food_Premises/Temporary_Food_Guideline.pdf City of Vincent+1 Busselton Shire — Information for Temporary Food Stalls within local events/fairs under the Food Act 2008 (Example of regional WA council) — “Temporary Food Stalls” information sheet. Busselton City Council Shire of Armadale / Generic WA Local Councils — Temporary Food Business / Mobile Food Vehicle registration paperwork examples under the Food Act 2008. my.armadale.wa.gov.au+1 Business.gov.au — Set up a Market Stall (overview of licences/permits relevant for markets/stalls) https://business.gov.au/planning/business-structures-and-types/set-up-a-market-stall business.gov.au