Selling Dairy Products on SideStall

The non-negotiables

Who can list dairy on SideStall?

What you need to list dairy on SideStall

1. 1. A state dairy authority licence or accreditation

   Every state has a dedicated dairy regulator. You must hold the relevant licence for your operation:

   State	Authority	Approx. annual cost
   SA	Dairysafe	$100 application + annual fees
   NSW	NSW Food Authority	$85 application + FTE-based annual
   VIC	Dairy Food Safety Victoria (DFSV)	$211 application + ~$705 base + volume
   QLD	Safe Food Production Queensland	Application + $341/hr audits
   WA	WA Dept of Health	Registration + audit costs
   TAS	TDIA	~$836/yr (small manufacturer)
   ACT	ACT Health Protection Service	Food business registration fees
   NT	NT Dept of Health	Food business registration fees

2. 2. Approved processing premises

   Your facility must meet FSANZ Standard 3.2.3 (Food Premises and Equipment). This means a purpose-built or converted processing room — not your home kitchen. Requirements include stainless steel equipment, proper drainage, handwash facilities, adequate ventilation, and temperature monitoring.

3. 3. A documented food safety program

   All dairy businesses must have a HACCP-based food safety program. This documents how you identify and control food safety hazards. State authorities provide templates and guidance. Your program is audited regularly (typically 1–4 times per year depending on your state and risk level).

4. 4. Proper labeling

   Every dairy product must be labeled per FSANZ standards:

   • • Product name (e.g. "Cheddar Cheese", "Natural Yoghurt")
   • • Ingredients list in descending order by weight
   • • Allergen declaration — milk/dairy must be declared
   • • Nutrition Information Panel (energy, protein, fat, carbs, sodium)
   • • Use-by date (required for perishable dairy)
   • • Net weight or volume
   • • Country of origin
   • • Your full name and street address
   • • Storage conditions (e.g. "Keep refrigerated below 4°C")
   • • Lot identification for traceability
   • • Raw milk products must state "has not been pasteurised"
5. 5. Cold chain compliance

   Dairy products must be maintained at the correct temperature from production through to customer collection. Refrigerated dairy must be kept below 4°C. Frozen products must remain frozen. If buyers collect from your stall, you need appropriate refrigeration or insulated display.

6. 6. Acknowledge compliance on SideStall

   When you first list a dairy product, SideStall will show a compliance screen. You'll need to confirm that you hold the relevant dairy licence and that your products are made in approved premises with a food safety program.

Special case: raw milk cheese

Raw milk cheese is legal in Australia under strict controls (FSANZ Standard 4.2.4, Division 5). Unlike raw drinking milk, certain cheese types can be made from unpasteurised milk if the manufacturer can demonstrate the production process consistently reduces pathogens to safe levels.

Requirements

• • Food safety program specifically addressing Division 5 of Standard 4.2.4
• • Validation evidence that the product consistently meets safety criteria
• • State dairy authority approval before production commences (e.g. DFSV in Victoria)
• • Approved supply chain — approved farmers, approved carriers
• • More frequent auditing, testing, and monitoring
• • Label must state "has not been pasteurised"

Raw milk cheese production is a niche, specialist area dominated by experienced artisan cheesemakers. The cost, technical expertise, and regulatory burden make it prohibitive for beginners.

Victoria: small mixed-food business exemption

In Victoria, you may be exempt from DFSV licensing if all of the following apply:

• • Dairy products make up less than 50% of your total food production
• • Your business does not receive raw milk
• • You hold local council Food Act 1984 registration
• • You have an approved food safety program

Example: a cafe that makes its own yoghurt from bought pasteurised milk, where yoghurt is less than half its food output, may operate under council registration instead of DFSV. Ice cream manufacturers who only do direct retail and don't receive raw milk may also be exempt.

What about dairy alternatives?

Plant-based products (oat milk, almond milk, coconut yoghurt, cashew cheese) are not regulated under dairy legislation. They fall under standard food business registration with your local council. FSANZ Standard 4.2.4 and state dairy authority licences do not apply to plant-based products.

If you make plant-based alternatives, you don't need a dairy licence — list them under a different category on SideStall (e.g. Drinks, Preserves & Condiments).

What you cannot list on SideStall