The City of Melbourne offers a food van program, enabling operators to access space within our municipality to trade on an ongoing basis for up to two years. Currently, there are two premium sites and seven standard sites for food vans across the city.
The locations offered under the program are in areas identified as having no or low numbers of cafes or restaurants, to help add to the vibrancy and amenity of these areas.
Expressions of interest are closed, so we’re not currently accepting new applications. The EOI is expected to open early 2025. Follow the City of Melbourne social media pages and keep this page bookmarked for updates.
How to apply
Applications for food van permits are handled via an expression of interest (EOI) process, with permits for premium and standard sites offered for two years.
When applications open again, this is how you can apply:
- Check you meet the requirements before applying. Read the terms and conditions (DOCX 29 KB) by which you must comply, and ensure you’re registered with FoodTraderOpens in new tab and have public liability insurance cover of $20 million.
- Submit your expression of interest before the closing date.
- We will assess your submission. Hang tight while we review all applications. We aim to make a decision within two weeks of the EOI closing. We’ll check you’ve provided a complete application and whether you satisfy requirements such as safety, amenity, diversity and sustainability.
- We’ll let you know if you’re successful. If you’re selected, we’ll also provide you with an invoice for payment of the permit and inspection fee.
- Once you make payment, we’ll issue your permit and you’re good to go!
If you don’t provide all the required information and documents, your application won't be assessed.
Locations and fees
We have various sites across the municipality included in the food van program. Food van operators can only trade in specific designated locations under a City of Melbourne food van permit.
When you submit your application, you’ll be asked to select your first and second preferred site number from the list below. Please note some sites can accommodate multiple food vans.
| Site number | Location | Category | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Kilda Road Adjacent to State Theatre (Arts Centre)(two spaces) | Premium | $1100 |
| 2 | St Kilda Road Adjacent to NGV (two spaces) | Premium | $1100 |
| 3 | Boathouse Drive, East of Rowing Sheds (two spaces) | Standard | $216 |
| 4 | East side of Lansdowne St, 50m north of Wellington Parade (one space) | Standard | $216 |
| 5 | East side of Birdwood Avenue adjacent to Gate D of RBG, near Domain Rd Intersection (two spaces) | Standard | $216 |
| 6 | West side of William St, adjacent to Flagstaff Gardens, opposite Radisson Hotel Standard (one space) | Standard | $216 |
| 7 | East side of Royal Parade adjacent to toilet block - near Park Street (two spaces) | Standard | $216 |
| 8 | Alexandra Avenue, adjacent to toilet block 107, between Swan St and Anderson St (two spaces) | Standard | $216 |
| 9 | North of the main Zoo entry off Elliott Avenue (one space) | Standard | $216 |
In addition to the monthly fee, there will be a one-off inspection fee of $216 for food vans shortlisted in the EOI.
All fees and charges are subject to annual review as part of City of Melbourne's fees and charges review process.
Other locations
There are other opportunities to operate a food van within the City of Melbourne, including at markets, events and festivals, or privately managed public spaces.
Examples of privately managed spaces include:
- Queen Victoria Market
- Federation Square
- Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Royal Exhibition Centre.
We will not issue a City of Melbourne food van permit to operate at markets, events and festivals, or privately managed locations.
To enquire about trading at one of these locations or at an event, market or festival within the municipality, you will need to contact the event organiser or relevant location directly.
