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THE FOOD TRAILER BUYER’S GUIDE

From choosing your trailer to your first trading day.

A practical buyer’s guide to planning, purchasing and preparing your food trailer business. Follow the steps below, then open each one for the details.

Explore the steps
Illustration: planning a layout, choosing a trailer and serving customers
Illustration of the journey. Fit-outs vary by model and order.

Victoria is the worked example. If you will register or trade elsewhere, confirm the local process with your council and state road and safety authorities. Some steps can happen together; arrange approvals before the activity they cover.

One trailer. Four separate checks.

Buying the trailer is one part of getting ready. Each area has its own requirements.

01

Road registration

The vehicle and towing setup.

02

Electrical & gas

The installed systems and relevant trade documentation.

03

Food business

Your menu, layout and food safety arrangements.

04

Trading location

Permission to trade at the chosen site.

Road registration alone does not authorise you to sell food.

YOUR ROUTE TO OPENING DAY

Take it one step at a time.

Tap a step to see what to arrange and who to speak to.

1BEFORE YOU BUYStart with your menuDecide what you will serve, where you want to trade and how food will be prepared. Speak to your council before committing to a fit-out.

Who to speak to: You + your council’s environmental health team

Share your menu, intended trading locations and where the trailer will be based. Ask which council should handle your food business application and what layout information they need.

In Victoria, your principal council manages registration or notification through FoodTrader. Ask them to confirm the correct pathway for your business.

Keep on file: A simple menu, intended locations and council requirements.

2PLAN YOUR PURCHASEChoose your trailer and layoutCompare the 3m, 4m and 5m models against your equipment and preparation needs. Get the exact package in writing.

Who to speak to: You + Melbourne Food Trailer

Check body, internal and overall towing dimensions separately. List standard inclusions, extra equipment, installation, delivery and any work you must arrange yourself.

Review handwashing, washing-up, water and wastewater, refrigeration, storage and ventilation with your council and relevant trades. A photo or a particular sink count does not prove a layout suits your menu.

Confirm the final drawing, total price including GST, deposit terms, availability and delivery arrangements before ordering. See our homepage ordering section for the current process.

Keep on file: An agreed quote, equipment list, layout and order terms.

3BEFORE HANDOVERArrange the fit-out and trade workConfirm who is installing each appliance and who will provide the relevant electrical, plumbing and gas documents.

Who to speak to: Your supplier + appropriately licensed trades

For Victorian electrical installation work, ask for the Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES). Your electrician should explain any inspection needed and check the power supply for your appliances.

If using LPG, engage a licensed gasfitter early to confirm the mobile catering requirements and arrange Energy Safe acceptance where required before gas is connected. Keep the installation compliance documents.

Fire-resistant board or exhaust material paperwork relates to the stated component or trailer. It does not replace approval of the completed gas installation or food business.

Keep on file: Installation documents that match the actual trailer and fit-out.

4BEFORE TOWINGGet ready for the roadCheck registration, vehicle documents and the completed trailer’s loaded weight before arranging collection or delivery.

Who to speak to: You + the road authority

Request the VIN, purchase documents, mass ratings and applicable approval or Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) information. Include equipment, water, gas and stock when assessing the operating load.

Check the trailer, tow vehicle and coupling limits together. Do not choose a tow vehicle from the trailer’s length or a photograph alone.

In Victoria, trailers from 751 kg to 4,500 kg ATM generally need a registration inspection appointment. Light trailers up to 4.5 tonnes ATM are exempt from a roadworthy certificate, but still need to meet safety and applicable registration requirements. Check the exact pathway with VicRoads; arrange lawful transport if unregistered.

Keep on file: Registration or lawful transport arranged, with towing limits checked.

5BEFORE SELLING FOODComplete your food business registrationFinish the council application and any required inspection. An application in progress is not permission to start trading.

Who to speak to: You + your registering council

In Victoria, use FoodTrader to apply for registration or notification. Your council determines what applies to your food activities and will tell you what documents or inspection it needs.

Ask which food safety training, Food Safety Supervisor and record-keeping requirements apply. Standard 3.2.2A places extra requirements on certain businesses handling unpackaged, potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food.

Have practical procedures for cleaning, temperature control, handwashing, allergens and safe storage ready for your team.

Keep on file: Registration or notification granted, plus required training and records.

6BEFORE EACH NEW SITESecure your trading locationConfirm the event booking or site permission, and any local trading requirements. Mobility does not mean you can sell anywhere.

Who to speak to: You + organiser, landowner and relevant council

For Victorian trading, lodge a Statement of Trade through FoodTrader after registration or notification has been granted. Submit it at least one full day before the trading start date and check its status.

This is separate from the event booking and any council, road authority or landowner permission. Ask about local laws, planning, insurance evidence, power, water, wastewater and access before committing to a pitch.

Keep on file: An agreed site, required permissions and trading notification.

7WHILE APPROVALS PROGRESSSet up the business essentialsPlan the practical side: business registrations, insurance, suppliers, payment systems and running costs.

Who to speak to: You + your accountant and insurer

Check your ABN, business name and tax obligations. Discuss appropriate public and product liability, trailer and equipment cover with your insurer, plus worker-related obligations if employing staff.

Budget for food, packaging, event fees, wages, power, fuel, cleaning and maintenance. Revenue is not take-home profit. Try the business planning calculator on our homepage using your own costs.

Prepare a short opening and closing checklist. Keep copies of your vehicle, trade-work and food-business documents together.

Keep on file: A working budget, business arrangements and organised document folder.

8YOUR FIRST TRADING DAYRun a practice service, then openTest the complete setup before the first event. Start serving only when the required approvals and site arrangements are in place.

Who to speak to: You + your team

Practise setting up, preparing orders, taking payments and cleaning down. Check the agreed power supply, refrigeration temperatures, handwashing water, wastewater arrangements and safe access.

Keep required documents accessible, brief everyone on food safety and review the setup whenever your menu, appliances or trading location changes.

Keep on file: A team and trailer ready for the menu and location you have approved.

BEFORE YOUR FIRST SERVICE

Your opening-day checklist.

Use this as a reminder alongside the requirements given by your council, trades and event organiser. Tick items as you complete them.

Ticks are for this visit only and are not saved.

Official guidance and useful links

A planning guide, not a certificate or approval. Requirements depend on your location, menu and completed fit-out. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority.

Buying and getting ready to trade

Practical answers from this guide and our business planning article.

Which trailer size should I choose?

Choose around your menu and equipment rather than length alone. A 3m model is a compact starting point, a 4m gives more preparation and equipment space, and a 5m offers room for a larger fit-out. Check the actual layout, appliance clearances and working space before deciding; suitability depends on the agreed configuration.

What should I budget beyond the trailer?

Our planning guide uses an illustrative $5,000–$10,000 allowance for additional equipment and installation, depending on the package and menu. LPG gasfitting may require around $1,500–$3,000 if it is not already included. These are planning allowances, not quotes; confirm GST and avoid counting the same installation twice. Also allow for approvals, insurance, stock, branding, transport and working capital.

Is an all-electric trailer cheaper to fit out?

An all-electric menu avoids LPG installation, but the power supply, circuits, appliances and any generator still need budgeting. Have your electrician check your complete appliance list and intended trading-site supply before choosing equipment.

What should my final quote include?

The exact model, separate body/internal/towing dimensions, equipment and installation list, exclusions, final drawing, total price including GST, payment terms, availability, delivery condition and applicable documents. Agree who will arrange any remaining work and approvals before ordering.

Can I start selling as soon as the trailer arrives?

Only after the requirements for your business and site are met. Complete the relevant installation work, food-business registration or notification, and site permissions first. A trailer purchase, certificate or application in progress does not by itself authorise food trading.

Can I take the trailer to different markets and events?

Yes, subject to each site’s permissions and requirements. Check bookings, council or landowner permission, insurance, access, power, water and wastewater arrangements. In Victoria, food-business registration and FoodTrader Statements of Trade are separate from permission to use a pitch.

What documents should I keep?

Keep the invoice and agreed specifications, VIN and applicable vehicle approval information, registration records, relevant electrical and gas installation documents, equipment instructions and warranties, food-business records and site permissions. Component material paperwork should be kept with its scope clearly identified.

How do I estimate profit or recover my investment?

Start with sales, then subtract food, packaging, event fees, wages including family labour, power, transport, insurance, maintenance and other costs. Sales and the balance after ingredients are not take-home profit. Use the homepage planning calculator with your own figures; event takings and payback are scenarios, not promised results.

Can I resell the trailer later?

You can offer the trailer and equipment for sale, or sell an operating business where its assets and arrangements can transfer. Condition, demand, records, equipment and proven earnings affect the price. There is no guaranteed resale percentage or buyback; allow for selling costs and outstanding commitments.

How do I get help planning my order?

Contact Melbourne Food Trailer, operated by HZW Group Pty Ltd, on 0426 226 928 or hzwtrailer@gmail.com. Tell us your menu, preferred size, equipment needs and delivery postcode. We can discuss the trailer package while your council and licensed trades advise on requirements for your business.