What is a Tier 1 home-based food business?

Tier 1 home-based food business - higher risk

A tier 1 home-based food business undertakes higher risk food handling activities, requiring a separate purpose-built commercial kitchen.

Any home-based food business that prepares potentially hazardous food for sale or prepares non-potentially hazardous food for sale using a more complex food handling method is a tier 1 home-based food business, except where:

  • the business meets the definition of a tier 2 home-based food business. 

What are more complex food handling activities?

More complex food handling methods include:

  • food processing involving acidification
  • food processing involving fermentation
  • food processing involving drying, smoking or curing
  • food processing involving canning & commercial sterilisation of food.

What are some examples of tier 1 home-based food businesses?

Example 1

A business manufactures, packages and delivers ready to eat potentially hazardous foods such as salads, cheesecake or sausage rolls to a café. 

Example 2

A food business manufactures tempeh, which is packaged for wholesale and sold to a local supermarket. 

Example 3

A business makes cakes with cream and custard fillings so they can be sold to a local restaurant. 

Example 4

Business prepares hot meals such as pasta, casseroles and curries. The food is cooled packaged and then delivered to customers homes. 

Example 5

A food business manufactures gnocchi, which is packaged and labelled for wholesale and sold to local supermarkets, cafes and corner stores.

To create a separate purpose-built commercial kitchen, you could convert a spare room or garage space, or construct a purpose-built structure on site. The facilities must be of a commercial kitchen standard, which is fully compliant with the Food Safety Standards 3.2.3. 

For tier 1 home based food business fit out requirements refer to How do I fit out a new kitchen?