The Food Business Levy

A levy is a compulsory charge imposed on a specific group or industry to fund a particular service. Levies are set by various government bodies and Crown entities.

What is it? In 2024, Central Government agreed to enhance core food safety services under the Food Act 2014 through the Food Business Levy. These services will help food businesses and Local Councils improve the provision of safe food.

This levy will ensure regulatory support for innovation while strengthening the food safety system. 

What will businesses get from the Levy? 

• Better education and support to meet food safety
• Increased monitoring and prompt intervention to ensure the food system works well
• Support for providing a fair, consistent, and risk-appropriate level of verification, registry and enforcement services to food businesses
• Regular national campaigns
• More efficient, effective and up-to-date rules and standards with input from businesses

How will the levy get collected? This is an annual charge for registered food businesses operating under a Food Control Plan (FCP) or National Programme (NP) which will be billed by the registration authority - Local Council or Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI)

It will be phased over 3 years: 

1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026: $57.50 (+GST)

1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027: $86.25 (+GST)

1 July 2027 to 30 June 2028: $115.00 (+GST)

Sample of invoice: Food Levy Invoice- Sample

The initial fee charge will not be visible in the invoice, but an IS service request has been created for this development for next year.

See this PDF which will be sent to customers with the invoice: Business Flyer- Food Business Levy

More information on this MPI document: Food Business Levy FAQs