Food safety is one of the most important aspects of running a business in Australia’s hospitality, retail, and food service industries. As of December 8th, 2023, Food Standards Australia & New Zealand has made it a legal requirement for businesses handling unpackaged food to have at least one food safety supervisor. Whether you’re operating a bustling café in Sydney, a catering business in Melbourne, or a small petrol station in Brisbane, ensuring that the food you serve is safe for your customers is non-negotiable.
But what is a food safety supervisor certificate, and how long is it valid for? Let’s break it down step by step so you have everything you need to know.
What is a food safety supervisor certificate?
A food safety supervisor certificate is a nationally recognised qualification issued to an individual who has successfully completed the relevant training in food safety. This person takes on the responsibility of overseeing food handling in the workplace and ensuring that food safety standards are upheld.
food safety supervisor certificates are designed to:
- Ensure businesses comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
- Provide food businesses with a qualified go-to person for food safety advice and oversight.
- Reduce the risks of food-borne illnesses by ensuring staff follow safe food handling practices.
This certificate is a practical assurance to regulators, customers, and business owners that food safety is being taken seriously.
How long is a food safety supervisor certificate valid in Australia?
Unlike some qualifications that last indefinitely, the FSS certificate has an expiry date in Australia. Here’s a breakdown of food safety supervisor certificate validity by state and territory:
food safety supervisor certificate NSW
In New South Wales, a food safety supervisor certificate is valid for five years. After this period, supervisors must renew their certificate by completing refresher training.
food safety supervisor certificate QLD
Food safety supervisor certificates are generally valid for five years in Queensland. Renewal requires refresher training through an approved RTO (Registered Training Organisation).
food safety supervisor certificate VIC
While food safety supervisor certificates in Victoria do not currently technically expire, Food Standard 3.2.2A requires a food safety supervisor to have completed a certificate within the previous five years. It’s also worth noting that in Victoria, those who obtained their food safety supervisor certificate before 8th December, 2023 have until December 2028 to renew it.
food safety supervisor certificate ACT
In the Australian Capital Territory, food safety supervisor certificates are valid for five years. After this time, you will be required to renew your certificate in order to remain an FSS.
food safety supervisor certificate TAS
Tasmanian food safety supervisor certificates are valid for five years. After this time, renewal is required to maintain compliance.
food safety supervisor certificate WA
The Western Australia food safety supervisor certificate is valid for five years. Once this time has elapsed, you’ll need to either take a refresher course or re-sit the full qualification, whichever you prefer.
food safety supervisor certificate SA
A food safety supervisor certificate from South Australia expires five years after obtainment. At this point, you’ll need to complete a refresher or re-sit the certificate in order to remain a food safety supervisor.
food safety supervisor certificate NT
The food safety supervisor certificate for the Northern Territory is valid for five years from completion date. After this time, you’ll need to complete either a refresher course or a successful re-sit of the certification to continue being a food safety supervisor.
Why do food safety supervisor certificates expire?
Food safety is an ever-evolving field. As such, over time, legislation, best practices, and compliance standards change. By requiring certificates to be renewed, states ensure that supervisors remain up to date – which is very important when it comes to food service.
For example:
- Updates to allergen management standards may be introduced.
- New hygiene technologies or sanitising practices might become best practice.
- Legal responsibilities for businesses may change.
By refreshing training every five years, supervisors stay informed and learn new information, and businesses reduce the risk of costly food safety breaches. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Do all businesses need a food safety supervisor?
The requirement depends on the type of business you’re running. Generally speaking, any business that sells food to the public in a retail or hospitality setting is required to appoint a food safety supervisor.
This includes:
- Cafés, restaurants, and bars.
- Takeaway shops, bakeries, and food trucks.
- Caterers and event food services.
- Supermarkets, delis, convenience stores, and grocers that handle unpackaged food.
Certain businesses, such as low-risk food retail operations (for example, selling pre-packaged shelf-stable food), may be exempt. It’s important to check with your local food authority to see whether or not you’ll be required to have a food safety supervisor on staff.
What responsibilities does a food safety supervisor have?
As well as being a mandated certificate, there are several responsibilities that a food safety supervisor has within a business. These include:
- Being reasonably available by food handlers at the business as well as the local government from which the business is licensed, during the hours that the food business is in operation
- Having the authority to supervise food handlers and give staff at the business directions relating to food safety matters
- Understanding how to recognise when there are potential food safety hazards at the business, and ensuring that the risks are mitigated and/or managed
- Having the skills and knowledge on food safety matters that are relevant to the business, and sharing these skills and knowledge with staff to improve awareness of foodborne illnesses
- Helping foster a culture where food safety is a top priority in the business
How do I get a food safety supervisor certificate?
To become a certified food safety supervisor, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Find an RTO that provides the food safety supervisor course. This can be done by searching the National Training Register for relevant providers. From here, you can choose an RTO that best suits your needs.
- Enroll in your food safety supervisor course. Depending on the state/territory, and your access to a workplace and supervisor, you may be able to complete the course fully remotely and online. If you don’t have access to a suitable workplace and supervisor, you may need to complete the practical portion of the course in-person.
- Successfully complete the course training, including any assessments, and make your payment.
- Once you successfully complete the course, the RTO will issue you with your food safety supervisor certificate.
How do I renew a food safety supervisor certificate?
Renewing a certificate is a straightforward process and can be done through the following steps:
Step 1: Find an approved RTO
You must renew your food safety supervisor certificate through a training provider recognised by your state or territory’s food authority.
Step 2: Complete the refresher training
This usually involves revisiting the core food safety units, focusing on updated laws and practices. You may also wish to re-site the full course instead, if your chosen RTO doesn’t offer a refresher course for the food safety supervisor certificate.
Step 3: Receive your new certificate
Once the refresher or full course is successfully complete, you’ll be issued a new certificate with an updated expiry date. This can then be used until it expires (for an additional five years, unless the legislation is updated).
Many RTOs offer food safety supervisor certificates online or blended training options, making it easy to renew without too much disruption to business operations. Check out the details of your chosen RTO before you begin to know what type of course you can complete.
What happens if a food safety supervisor certificate expires?
If a food safety supervisor certificate of the designated food safety supervisor lapses, the business may no longer meet food safety compliance requirements. This could lead to:
- Fines and penalties from the food authority
- Increased risk of food safety incidents
- Potential damage to the business’s reputation.
To avoid this, it’s recommended that businesses track certificate expiry dates and renew well before they lapse.
Is a food safety supervisor certificate the same as a food handling certificate?
No, they are different. Make sure you don’t get the two confused and that you complete the course relevant to your needs. The difference between the two is as follows:
- A Food Handling Certificate (Level 1) is typically an entry-level training for employees who directly handle food.
- A Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (Level 2) is more advanced and designed for managers, supervisors, and business owners who oversee operations.
In some businesses, both certificates may be required across different staff levels. Check with the business to be sure you’re obtaining the correct qualification.
Can one food safety supervisor cover multiple venues?
In many cases, yes. A single supervisor can be appointed across multiple businesses or venues, provided they can adequately fulfil their responsibilities. However, the practicality depends on a number of factors, including the size of the business and how close both businesses are, geographically, to each other. Some councils or states may require at least one food safety supervisor per venue, especially in high-volume or high-risk businesses. Again, be sure to do adequate research before committing to an idea.
Do you need a food safety supervisor certificate if you’re self-employed?
Yes, if you are operating a food business that serves unpackaged or high-risk food, you are still required to hold a valid certificate. This includes:
- Mobile food vans
- Market stalls selling ready-to-eat food
- Home-based catering businesses.
Being self-employed doesn’t exempt you from food safety responsibilities. Instead, if you are the only person working for the business, you will be the one required to be the food safety supervisor, and thus will need to be the one that holds a valid food safety supervisor certificate.
What are the benefits of keeping your food safety supervisor certificate current?
Aside from meeting legal obligations, maintaining a current certificate brings several advantages:
Customer trust
Consumers feel confident knowing the business is run by someone qualified and serious about food safety.
Reduced risks
Proper training reduces the likelihood of foodborne illnesses and contamination. Having a food safety supervisor certificate means you’ve undertaken training to understand the basics of food safety.
Business reputation
Demonstrates professionalism and responsibility within the business setting, adding to the reputation of the business as a place that’s good for food health and safety.
Staff confidence
Supervisors with the qualification can guide other employees effectively in best food handling practices.
Can I do my food safety supervisor certificate online?
In many states and territories across Australia, it’s possible to complete the food safety supervisor certificate online. This option may be particularly appealing to those who live in more remote locations where it’s harder to get to a training centre, or those with busy schedules that wish to work around their other commitments. In saying that, typically to complete the food safety supervisor certificate fully online, you’ll most likely need access to a commercial kitchen, workplace, and workplace supervisor. Alternatively, some places offer a combination option, where you can complete the course online at your own pace, then go to a classroom for a short practical assessment at the end.
Where offered, the food safety supervisor certificate online (or combination course) is the same qualification as the in-person food safety supervisor certificate, making it just as valid. These online courses can be undertaken anywhere with a stable internet connection, so you don’t even need to leave your home to start the qualification process!
How can I check if a food safety supervisor certificate is still valid?
If you’re unsure about the status of a food safety supervisor certificate, you can check its validity through the following methods:
- Check the issue date and expiry date listed on the document. If the issue date is more than five years ago, there’s a good chance the certificate is expired. However, in saying that, it’s worth noting that in a few states (such as Victoria), those who obtained their food safety supervisor certificate before 8th December, 2023 have until December 2028 to renew it.
- Contact the RTO that issued the certificate for confirmation on when it was completed. They should have a database they can use to check the dates.
- Verify with your state or territory’s food authority.
Why choose Express Online Training for your food safety supervisor certificate?
Express Online Training has partnered with Streamline Training to offer the food safety supervisor certificate online. This course is available to eligible candidates across Australia, and includes the two units required for the certification. These are:
- SITXFSA005 – Use hygienic practices for food safety, and
- SITXFSA006 – Participate in safe food handling practices
This course can be completed by those in all states except for New South Wales. With the food safety supervisor course from Streamline Training, you have the choice of either the fully online course (completing the course online, plus the assessment from a commercial kitchen workplace of your choosing), or completing part of the course online, with the practical assessment taking place in a Perth classroom.
For the food safety supervisor course from Streamline Training, you’ll need approximately 12 hours of study time to complete the online learning and assessment portion of the qualification, then another 45 to 60 minutes for the practical demonstration of your newfound skills (either at your own workplace or in the Perth classroom). You’ll be given three months from your enrolment date to complete the food safety supervisor course. The food safety supervisor certificate from Streamline Training is valid for work in all Australian states and territories, except for New South Wales.
Food safety is the responsibility you have to your customers and your community. It’s also, typically, a compliance requirement. By ensuring your food safety supervisor certificate is valid and up to date, you’re not only protecting your business from penalties but also helping to safeguard public health. If you’re unsure as to whether your food safety supervisor certificate is valid, contact the RTO you obtained it through, or your state or territory’s food authority.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little bit more about the food safety supervisor certificate in this article.
