Navigating food safety regulations can be time consuming and confusing. Read on to unpack what you need to know about Food Safety requirements and recent changes for food businesses in Australia.
Disclaimer: Food Safety requirements can differ from State to State and from Council to Council, and for different types of food businesses and the customers they service. This guide will provide you with handy information, but we recommend checking with your local council to make sure you are compliant with its requirements.
New laws came into effect on December 8, 2023
If your business prepares or serves food anywhere in Australia, these changes may affect you and you may need to take action.
In December 2022, Food Standards Australia legislated changes to the Food Act, the national Act that informs food safety for all food businesses in Australia and New Zealand. This is called Standard 3.2.2A.
In December 2023 these changes went 'live' meaning all food business are now required to comply with the changes. So the following requirements now need to be met by businesses that prepare or serve food in any Australian state or territory*. Standard 3.2.2A outlines the need for a food safety management system within a business, by mandating the following three tools:
- Food Handler Training
- Food Safety Supervision
- Record Management
The specific tools that a business needs to implement is determined by the category of business.
The new food safety training requirements apply to both Category 1 and Category 2, whereas record keeping only applies to Category 1 businesses.
Most businesses using Cookaborough are considered Category 1.
So what do I need to do differently?
While the Federal Act is countrywide, States interpret the Federal Act, and local Councils or State Food Authorities such as Health Departments enforce the subsequent State laws.
Most states and territories and the bodies that enforce state laws have their own type of classifications, with their own definition of whether you need detailed record-keeping or not.
The local authority who issues you with a licence to operate as a food business will inform you as to what you need prior to or as part of your renewal process.
In the meantime it's a good idea to swat up on the highest standard required. That way you can be on the front foot, and have your business operating at peak safety. This Food Safety Action Plan is a great start to help navigate what may be required of you.
If you do have to swat up on food safety or have more rigorous record keeping, the additions are typically not going to be onerous but will make you super confident about the safety of what you are creating for your customers.
This table outlines what changes may be applicable to you:
| PREVIOUS REQUIREMENTS | CURRENT REQUIREMENTS |
| Food Handling certificate completed with any Food Safety course | Food Safety Supervisor certification, with training completed with a Registered Training Organisation |
| One staff member certified for Food Safety |
One staff member up to Supervisor level per 5 staff , and evidence of Food Handling training for the remaining staff. Download Food Safety Action Plan |
| No requirement for keeping records regarding food safety |
Record keeping for temperature and and sanitation procedures. |
Food Safety Compliance for Cookaborough
Please refer to our website and read our blog about Cookaborough's Food Safety Compliance to see what food safety standards you need in order to use Cookaborough.
*New South Wales has extended the deadline to December 2024 for school canteens, children’s services, supermarkets, delicatessens and greengrocers. Victoria has extended the deadline to December 2028 for existing Food Safety Supervisors to renew their certification.
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