Food Safety Supervisor

A food safety supervisor is someone who:

  • knows how to recognise, prevent and alleviate food handling hazards at your premises;

  • has a Statement of Attainment that shows the required food safety competencies from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO); and

  • has the ability and authority to supervise other people handling food at the premises and ensure that food handling is done safely.

 

All class 1, most class 2 and 3A food businesses, and some community groups are required to have a certified food safety supervisor unless specific exemptions apply.

This requirement is outlined by the Food Act 1984, and the Victorian Department of Health has oversight of this requirement. Local Councils share this responsibility and we have regulatory obligations to provide guidance and advice to businesses to ensure they are practising safe food handling activities.

 

The food safety supervisor must:

  • have the ability and authority to be able to supervise other people handling food in the business and ensure that it is done safely;

  • know how to identify, prevent and alleviate food-handling hazards;

  • take reasonable steps to ensure that the food business is free from food-related hazards; and

  • have completed accredited food safety training for the food sector that they are currently working in.

 

All food business owners in Victoria must ensure their staff have adequate skills and knowledge to safely handle food. Everyone who works in a food business – including the proprietor – is responsible for the delivery of safe food to the customer.

 

Training courses

Course requirements can be found on the Department of Health Food Safety Supervisor webpage. Please note that in most instances, more than one course is required to obtain a food safety supervisor certificate.

Search for training courses online at YourCareer or training.gov.au. You may also conduct an internet search using the course code and/or title and your location. For example, "SITXFSA006 Horsham" or "Participate in safe food handling practices Horsham".

**Also note that if you choose the option to take a course (such as those titled "Food Safety Supervisor") that combines multiple units (such as SITXFSA005 and SITXFSA006), ensure that the units they are offering are the ones that you require to be a certified food safety supervisor in Victoria, not another state.

 

Additional training resources

*Note: This does not have equivalency to the Food Safety Supervisor certificate.

 

 

Still unsure? Please contact us via email at environmentalhealth@hrcc.vic.gov.au or by phone on 5382 9777 for further information.

 

 

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