Food Safety Laws & Requirements for New Businesses
The first step to success is food safety
Every year in Australia, hundreds of businesses are fined or closed down for:
- not following the correct food safety procedures
- not adhering to food safety legislation
- protect your new food business from these problems
- protect your customers from getting sick
What is a food business?
You may be surprised to discover that your new business is considered a food business by law. Examples of typical food businesses include:
- Cafes, restaurants and takeaways
- Hotels and motels
- Bars, pubs and clubs
- Event and conferences centres
- Casinos and gaming venues
- Market stalls
- Convenience stores
- Supermarkets
- Service stations
- Groceries, butchers, delis and bakeries
- Food based charity organisations
- Catering businesses
- Hospitals or hospices
- Child care or aged care facilities
- School canteens or tuckshops
- Food processing facilities
- Canneries, milleries or breweries
- Food delivery or storage services
How to get a food business licence
Understand your classification
Food business licences are issued depending on how your business is classed. Each state has their own classifications, usually based on food type risks and who your customers are.
Complete mandatory training
Under Food Standard 3.2.2A, all employees must have completed mandatory Food Safety Supervisor or Food Handler training to meet the requirements of licence application.
Apply to your local council
Even though the laws around food business licensing are governed at a state and territory level, your licence application process is managed through your local council.
Stay up to date
Food Safety Supervisors must hold valid Statements of Attainment issued within the last 5 years. Food Handlers must ensure that their training meets all the latest legal requirements under Standard 3.2.2A.Understand food safety laws
Before applying for your food business licence, you need to be sure that you understand your legal requirements. As a food business owner you need to be aware of two types of legislation:
Federal Legislation
The federal legislation is governed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).Food Standard 3.2.2A sets the requirements for all food workers to have completed mandatory Food Safety Supervisor or Food Handler training.State Legislation
Each state has its own Food Safety Act that needs to be adhered to.This legislation often has additional requirements to those set out in Food Standard 3.2.2A. You must adhere to both state and federal legislation.Train your staff properly
The Australian Institute of Food Safety offers two nationally recognised courses designed to meet all state and federal requirements for food safety training:
