From Food Handler to Food Safety Supervisor: A Seamless Transition

March 7, 2024

Career progression is the goal for most food industry professionals, and training is essential to advance. With various levels of training available to help individuals make the jump from Food Handler to Food Safety Supervisor, the path to promotion is as smooth as it gets.

This blog will discuss the training required to make this transition. But first, let's explore the differences between the two roles.

What’s the difference between a Food Handler and a Food Safety Supervisor?

A Food Handler is anyone who prepares, handles, cooks or serves food in a professional capacity. These individuals are employed across a wide range of industries, and even if food handling is just a minor part of their role, they are still required to undergo food safety training under Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Standard 3.2.2A.

Food Safety Supervisors, on the other hand, are responsible for implementing and monitoring food safety standards throughout the workplace, including managing food safety risks, enforcing proper hygiene practices and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A mandates that at least one certified Food Safety Supervisor must be present at all times in all businesses that fall under Category 1 or Category 2 according to Standard 3.2.2A.

Examples of Category 2 Businesses

Supermarkets
Delis
Service stations
Seafood retailers
Market stalls
Convenience stores

Food Handler Training

The Food Handler course is ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to prepare, handle and serve food safely, but isn’t required to supervise food safety procedures within their workplace.

Food Handling Certificate (Level 1) Course

The Food Handling Certificate (Level 1) course offered by Food Safety First is designed for individuals starting out in the food industry or those needing to meet food safety training requirements. It covers essential topics such as personal hygiene, safe food handling and identifying food safety hazards.

This nationally recognised Food Handler training program takes just a few hours to complete, with immediate access to course materials online.
Participants can choose between Hospitality and Health & Community to gain access to sector-specific course content and obtain the relevant unit of competency upon completion.

Hospitality

Unit of competency:

SITXFSA005 - Use hygienic practices for food safety

Topics covered:
Food Safety Laws & Responsibilities
Food Contamination & High-Risk Groups
Biological Contamination
Other Types of Contamination
Food Allergies
Cleaning & Sanitising
Hand Washing
Personal Hygiene & Workplace Behaviour
Illness & Onsite Injuries
Time & Temperature Control
Working with Food Safely
Serving Food Safety
Food Safety Programs & Reporting Responsibilities

Health & Community

Unit of competency:

HLTFSE001 - Follow basic food safety practices

Topics covered:

Food Safety Laws & Responsibilities
Food Contamination & High-Risk Groups
Biological Contamination
Other Types of Contamination
Food Allergies
Cleaning & Sanitising
Maintaining Food Premises
Hand Washing
Personal Hygiene & Workplace Behaviour
Illness & Onsite Injuries
Time & Temperature Control
Receiving & Storing Food
Working with Food Safely
Serving Food Safely
Food Safety Programs
Identifying Food Safety Hazards
Controlling & Reporting on Food Safety Hazards

Food Safety Supervisor Training

Food Safety Supervisors require more comprehensive food safety training than Food Handlers. The designated Food Safety Supervisor for a food-related business must complete a government-approved course to prove that they know the correct procedures for handling and preparing food safely, as well as how to monitor and maintain these procedures throughout their workplace.

Unlike Food Handlers, Food Safety Supervisors require both Level 1 and Level 2 training.

Food Safety Supervisor (Level 2) Course

The Food Safety Supervisor (Level 2) course is aimed at those who are or will be in a supervisory role within their establishment. This training program builds on the foundational knowledge provided in Level 1, focusing more on managing food safety risks, implementing food safety policies and understanding and complying with food safety legislation. The following topics are discussed:

Food Safety Laws & Responsibilities
Food Contamination & High-Risk Groups
Biological Contamination
Other Types of Contamination
Allergen Management
Cleaning & Sanitising
Maintaining Food Premises
Time & Temperature Control
Receiving & Storing Food
Working with Food Safely
Serving Food Safely
Food Safety Programs
Identifying Food Safety Hazards
Monitoring, Controlling & Correcting Food Safety Hazards
Reporting, Investigating & Recording Food Safety Breaches
Food Safety Management

Those who work in Hospitality and have already completed the Food Handling Certificate (Level 1) course only need to participate in the Level 2 version of the Food Safety Supervisor course. However, those who work in Health & Community must undertake the complete Food Safety Supervisor course (Levels 1 & 2) to become a certified Food Safety Supervisor, as no upgrade option is available for this sector.

Food Safety Supervisor (Level 1 & 2) Course

As the name suggests, this Food Safety Supervisor course combines elements of the Food Handling Certificate (Level 1) course and Food Safety Supervisor (Level 2) course, covering the following topics:

Food Safety Laws & Responsibilities
Food Contamination & High-Risk Groups
Biological Contamination
Other Types of Contamination
Allergen Management - If you are participating in the New South Wales (NSW) version of the course, Lesson 5 will be split into two parts (Food Allergies and Food Allergen Compliance & Management).
Cleaning & Sanitising
Maintaining Food Premises
Hand Washing
Personal Hygiene & Workplace Behaviour
Illness & Onsite Injuries
Time & Temperature Control
Receiving & Storing Food
Working with Food Safely
Serving Food Safely
Food Safety Programs
Identifying Food Safety Hazards
Monitoring, Controlling & Correcting Food Safety Hazards
Reporting, Investigating & Recording Food Safety Breaches
Food Safety Management

Why Choose Food Safety First?

Whichever training program you opt for, Food Safety First is on hand to make certification fast, efficient and affordable.

Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Food Safety First is a government-approved training provider authorised to deliver nationally recognised food safety courses.

Legal Compliance

Food Safety First training ensures compliance with FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A and relevant state legislation.

Affordable Training

Food Safety First offers budget-friendly training programs with no hidden fees.

Online Access

No classroom-based learning is required, and 24/7 online access to course content enables Food Safety First students to complete their training at their own pace: anytime, anywhere.

Industry-Specific Courses

Food Safety First offers comprehensive courses incorporating sector-specific content for Hospitality, Health & Community, Retail, Food Processing and Transport & Distribution.

Ready to Enrol?

Now that you know what it takes to progress from Food Handler to Food Safety Supervisor in Australia, all that’s left to do is enrol. Take another step towards ensuring consumer safety and legal compliance today!

Need help choosing the right training for you and your business? Get in touch with one of our customer advisors today for further guidance.

Food Safety Supervisor Course