Cafe Grease Trap Requirements in Melbourne: Do You Need One?

Does Your Melbourne Cafe Need a Grease Trap?

It is one of the most common questions we receive from cafe owners across Melbourne: do I actually need a grease trap? The answer depends entirely on what your cafe does beyond making coffee.

If your cafe exclusively serves beverages and pre-packaged food items—think a pure espresso bar with no kitchen—you may be exempt from grease trap requirements. However, the moment you prepare food on-site, even if it is as simple as toasting sandwiches, cooking eggs, or heating pies, you almost certainly need a grease trap.

Use our free assessment tool to get an instant answer based on your specific operations, or read on for a detailed breakdown of cafe grease trap requirements in Melbourne.

When Is a Grease Trap Mandatory for a Cafe?

Melbourne’s water authorities—Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, and Greater Western Water—require a grease trap for any commercial food premises that produces fats, oils, and grease (FOG) as part of its operations. For cafes, this includes:

• Cooking any food on-site (frying, grilling, baking, toasting)
• Washing dishes, pots, or pans that have come into contact with food
• Operating a commercial dishwasher connected to a kitchen sink
• Preparing salads, sandwiches, or other items that involve oils or dressings
• Any food preparation beyond simple beverage service

If any of these activities occur in your cafe, a grease trap is required under your trade waste agreement.

Potential Exemptions for Cafes

Some cafes may qualify for an exemption or a reduced requirement. Typical scenarios where an exemption might apply include:

• Beverage-only service: Cafes that serve only coffee, tea, juices, and smoothies with no food preparation.
• Pre-packaged food only: If all food items are purchased pre-packaged and served without any heating, preparation, or plating that involves washing.
• Very low-volume operations: In rare cases, water authorities may grant a conditional exemption for extremely small operations, though this is uncommon.

Even if you believe you qualify for an exemption, you must apply to your water authority for confirmation. Operating without a grease trap when one is required—even unknowingly—can result in fines and backdated trade waste charges.

For a broader view of which businesses need grease traps, see our requirements by business type guide.

Grease Trap Sizing for Melbourne Cafes

The good news for cafe owners is that grease trap sizing requirements are typically much smaller than for full-service restaurants. Most Melbourne cafes fall into the following categories:

Small Cafes (Under 50 Seats)

A small cafe with basic food preparation—toasting, light cooking, sandwich making—will usually require an above-ground grease trap in the 40 to 100 litre range. These compact units fit neatly under a bench or beside a sink and are relatively affordable to install.

Medium Cafes (50–100 Seats)

Cafes with a more extensive food menu, a dedicated kitchen area, and a commercial dishwasher will typically need an above-ground trap in the 100 to 300 litre range, or a small in-ground trap depending on the premises layout.

Large Cafes with Full Kitchens

If your cafe operates more like a restaurant—with a full commercial kitchen, multiple cooking stations, and a high-volume dishwasher—you may need a trap in the 300 to 500 litre range or larger. At this scale, an in-ground grease trap may be more practical.

Explore our above-ground grease trap guide for more information on the most popular option for Melbourne cafes.

Cleaning Frequency for Cafe Grease Traps

Smaller traps fill faster relative to their capacity, which means cafe grease traps often need cleaning more frequently than you might expect. Typical cleaning schedules for Melbourne cafes include:

• 40–100L above-ground traps: Every 2–4 weeks
• 100–300L above-ground traps: Every 4–6 weeks
• 300–500L traps: Every 6–8 weeks

Your water authority will specify a maximum interval in your trade waste agreement. Many cafe owners find that scheduling regular fortnightly or monthly cleaning prevents unexpected issues and keeps compliance straightforward.

Above-Ground vs In-Ground Traps for Cafes

Most Melbourne cafes opt for above-ground grease traps for several practical reasons:

• Easier installation: No excavation required, making them ideal for leased premises.
• Lower cost: Both installation and ongoing maintenance are more affordable.
• Simpler cleaning: Above-ground units can often be cleaned faster, reducing service costs.
• Portability: If you relocate your cafe, above-ground traps can sometimes be moved with you.

In-ground traps are typically only necessary for larger cafes with full kitchens or where the plumbing layout requires gravity-fed drainage below floor level.

Common Mistakes Cafe Owners Make

Based on our experience servicing hundreds of Melbourne cafes, here are the most common mistakes we see:

Assuming You Are Exempt

Many cafe owners assume that because they are “just a cafe” and not a restaurant, they do not need a grease trap. This is the single most common compliance error. If you cook or prepare food on-site, you almost certainly need a trap.

Neglecting Cleaning Schedules

Small traps fill quickly. A 50-litre trap in a busy brunch cafe can reach capacity within two weeks. Missing even one scheduled clean can push your trap past the 75% threshold and trigger a compliance issue.

Pouring Oil Down the Sink

Even with a grease trap, pouring cooking oil directly down the drain is bad practice. Used cooking oil should be collected separately and disposed of through a licensed oil recycling service. This extends the life of your trap and reduces cleaning frequency.

Getting Started with Cafe Grease Trap Compliance

If you are opening a new cafe in Melbourne or have realised your existing cafe needs a grease trap, here are the steps to follow:

• Contact your water authority to determine your specific requirements and apply for a trade waste agreement.
• Engage a licensed plumber to install an appropriately sized grease trap in accordance with AS 4674-2004.
• Arrange a regular cleaning schedule with an EPA-licensed grease trap service provider.
• Keep all cleaning certificates and waste transport manifests on file for at least three years.

Melbourne Grease Trap Cleaning provides tailored services for cafes of all sizes across Melbourne. Whether you have a compact above-ground unit or a larger in-ground system, we deliver reliable, compliant cleaning with full documentation. Visit our cafe services page to learn more.