Cloud kitchens in Australia: how they work, costs and rules
Updated 2026-10-27
A cloud kitchen (also called a dark or ghost kitchen) cooks only for delivery and pickup. There's no dining room, so rent and front-of-house costs are lower, but all sales depend on online ordering. This guide covers how cloud kitchens work in Australia and what to check before you start.
Types of cloud kitchen
| Model | How it works | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Independent dark kitchen | You lease a small commercial kitchen | Full control, full fit-out cost |
| Shared or commissary kitchen | You rent a station in a shared, fitted-out site | Faster start, less control |
| Virtual brand in an existing restaurant | An extra delivery-only menu from your current kitchen | Cheapest test, but strains the kitchen at peak times |
Rules in Australia
- Food business registration with your council or state food authority before you trade.
- Standard 3.2.2A (from 8 December 2023): a certified food safety supervisor and trained food handlers for most food service businesses.
- Zoning or planning approval for food use, plus trade waste and fire requirements.
- ABN, GST registration at A$75,000 turnover, and the relevant award for staff. See how to start a takeaway business.
Channels: apps vs direct ordering
Most cloud kitchens start on Uber Eats and DoorDash, because there's no shopfront to attract walk-ins. Published commission is up to 30% when the app delivers. Once you have repeat customers, a direct online ordering system with your own drivers or pickup keeps more of each order. See running your own drivers and use the commission calculator. See the Uber Eats and DoorDash commission report for every rate and its source.
Cloud kitchen launch checklist
- Choose a concept that travels well (holds heat, doesn't go soggy).
- Cost every dish, including packaging (see menu costing).
- Secure a registered kitchen and food safety supervisor.
- List on one or two delivery apps for discovery.
- Set up a direct ordering page, and put its QR code in every bag.
- Track channel profit weekly, not just sales.
More guides
- GloriaFood migration guide for Australian restaurants (2026–27)
- Menulog has closed: a guide for Australian restaurants a year on
- How to move your regulars off Uber Eats and DoorDash (without losing them)
- Running your own delivery drivers in Australia: a practical guide
- GST and online orders: what Australian takeaways should know
- Public holiday surcharges and online orders in Australia
- Food safety for takeaway and delivery orders in Australia
- Pricing your menu for delivery apps vs your own ordering page
- Restaurant marketing ideas for Australian venues (2026)
- How to price menu items: food cost percentage formula and examples (AU)
- Menu engineering matrix: stars, plowhorses, puzzles and dogs (with a worked example)
- Restaurant loyalty programs in Australia: types, ideas and examples
- How to start a takeaway business in Australia: a step-by-step checklist
- Restaurant POS systems in Australia: Chefzi POS vs Square, Lightspeed and others
- Restaurant booking systems in Australia: Chefzi reservations vs the alternatives
- Restaurant software in Australia: the tech stack a venue actually needs
- Food supplier ordering systems for Australian restaurants and cafés
- GloriaFood is shutting down: what Australian restaurants need to do
- How to add an order button to your Google Business Profile in Australia
Frequently asked questions
What is a cloud kitchen?
A delivery- and pickup-only kitchen with no dine-in area. It is also called a dark kitchen or ghost kitchen. Customers order online and the food is delivered or collected.
Do cloud kitchens need a food licence in Australia?
Yes. A cloud kitchen is a food business, so it must register or be licensed with the local council or state food authority, and meet the Food Standards Code, including Standard 3.2.2A.
Are cloud kitchens profitable?
It depends on rent, volume and channel costs. Delivery-app commission of up to 30% is often the biggest variable cost, so many operators grow direct orders to protect margin.
Can I run several brands from one cloud kitchen?
Yes. Many operators run "virtual brands" from one kitchen. Each brand needs accurate menus and allergen information, and its own ordering link if you sell direct.
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