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Food safety program accreditation

If you are planning on starting a food business you may need a food safety program. Find out if your business requires a food safety program.

The Food Act 2006 requires that some businesses must apply for food safety program accreditation including:

  • an offsite caterer
  • an onsite caterer
  • a private hospital
  • if serving potentially hazardous food to six or more vulnerable persons for example:
    • meals on wheels
    • childcare centres
    • aged care facilities.

Offsite catering

Offsite catering includes selling potentially hazardous food at a place other than the principal place of operation for the food business. Examples of businesses that often require a food safety program include:

  • selling a spit roast at an event or private parties
  • assembling a grazing platter at a wedding
  • providing meals at a wedding in a hall or private property.

What is not offsite catering?

  • Delivering pizzas from a takeaway shop
  • Delivering a platter of sandwiches or cakes.

Onsite catering

Onsite catering includes selling potentially hazardous food to customers at the premises the food business is carried out. Examples of businesses that often require a food safety program include:

  • a venue that hosts wedding receptions and is not open as a restaurant during the week
  • a business that operates as a restaurant during the week and occasionally caters to large functions with 200 people more than 11 times a year.

Before applying for a food safety program accreditation please read the food business licence FAQs (DOCX, 331KB).

Getting a food safety program accreditation

3 steps to obtaining your food safety program accreditation.

Step 1 – Develop a food safety program

If you are starting a new business you will need to submit your food safety program for accreditation at the same time as making application for a food business licence.  The food safety program will need to have been developed specifically for your business and have a notice of written advice from an approved auditor.

Step 2 – Food business licence application

Once you have developed a food safety program and have written advice from an approved auditor you can apply for a food business licence.

Following plan approval a food business licence application will be sent to you. The appropriate category will be indicated on the application form as per your plan assessment discussion.

  1. Complete the application form and pay the associated fees. You should apply approximately 20 days out from when you intend to start the business
  2. When you submit the application form also nominate a food safety supervisor.

You can submit your food licence application by email to [email protected] .

Step 3 – Final inspection

Council will then organise a time with you to undertake a food safety inspection to determine the suitability of the premises.

If council determines that your application complies with the Food Act 2006, you will be issued a food business licence certificate which will need to be displayed when you are operating.

For additional resources please visit The Food Pantry.