Food Handling Safety Training: Who Needs it in Australia?

Every day, Australians trust that the food they eat is safe. But one slip in hygiene or handling can cause food-borne illness, which affects millions each year. 

In fact, an estimated 4.67 million cases of food poisoning occur annually in Australia, leading to nearly 48,000 hospitalisations and 38 deaths - not to mention a cost of about $2.1 billion (AUD).

This is why safe food handling should be top of mind for anyone working in the food industry, especially given that many roles require individuals to complete the relevant food handling safety training.

In this blog, we will list key professions in Australia that typically require a Food Handling Certificate, and outline the steps to obtaining one.

Food Handling Safety Training: Legal Requirements

Safe food handling reduces the risk of contamination, food-borne illness, reputational damage and fines.

Standard 3.2.2A was introduced by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) in December 2023. It requires every person who works with unpackaged, potentially hazardous (ready-to-eat) food to complete the appropriate food safety training.

Who Needs Food Handling Safety Training in Australia?

1. Hospitality and Food Service Roles

• Chefs, cooks and kitchen staff
• Kitchen hands, food preparers and food packers
• Baristas, café attendants, sandwich makers and bartenders
• Waitstaff and servers
• Restaurant, café and takeaway managers

2. Retail, Grocery and Delicatessen Staff

• Retailers and deli staff who handle unpackaged meat, cheese and ready-to-eat items
• Supermarket staff who manage fresh food counters
• Butchers, fishmongers and bakers

3. Catering and Events Professionals

• Caterers, event food stall operators, food trucks and market vendors
• Function or festival food service staff
• Mobile food outlet operators serving unpackaged and potentially hazardous food

Local council or state rules may specifically require a certificate for temporary food businesses, especially those serving high-risk items.

4. Staff in Aged Care, Childcare, Schools and Other Institutional Settings

• Childcare centre staff preparing meals or snacks
• Aged care or residential care cooks and food service teams
• Canteen operators in schools or hospitals

Because these settings serve vulnerable people, strict food handling safety procedures are essential.

5. Volunteers and Community Kitchens

• Volunteers helping with community lunches, church kitchens, food banks
• Staff in support programs delivering meals

Even if unpaid, in many cases local regulations require volunteers to meet minimum training requirements - or an organisation may insist on it for liability protection.

How to Get a Food Handling Certificate in Australia

Getting certified with Food Safety First is straightforward. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Enrol in the Food Handler Certificate Course

You can enrol in the Food Handler Certificate course online at any time. Once enrolled, you will be given 24/7 access to course materials for up to 12 months - allowing you to complete the course at your own pace.

Step 2: Complete Lessons and Assessment Activities

The online course is interactive and engaging, with a series of brief lessons followed by quick quizzes to test your understanding of key topics such as:

• cleaning and sanitising
• food allergies and intolerances
• food safety laws and responsibilities
• food safety programs and reporting responsibilities
• personal hygiene and workplace behaviour
• safe food storage, preparation and service
• types of food contamination

You are also required to complete an Observer Report assessment, during which a supervisor or manager will verify your ability to perform safe food handling tasks in the workplace, including proper handwashing and safe food storage.

Step 3: Receive Your Statement of Attainment

Once you pass the assessment, you will receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment, which acts as your Food Handling Certificate and proves that you have completed the relevant unit of competency.

The unit of competency you receive will depend on the industry you selected during your enrolment. There are two options available:

• Hospitality: SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety
• Health & Community: HLTFSE001 Follow basic food safety practices

If you are uncertain of which industry to choose when enrolling, you can get in touch with our team or check with your local council to find out which one applies to you.

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) may request to see your Food Handling Certificate during routine inspections, so it’s important to keep it in your records. Your employer may also require it as proof of certification.

Step 4 (Best Practice): Upgrade to Food Safety Supervisor Level

If your role involves supervising Food Handlers or overseeing food safety programs, you may need to participate in Food Safety Supervisor training in accordance with FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A. 

If you have already completed your Food Handling Certificate (Level 1) for the Hospitality industry and hold a valid SITXFSA005 Statement of Attainment, you can proceed directly to Food Safety Supervisor (Level 2).

Get your Food Handling Certificate today

Obtaining your Australian Food Handling Certificate online is the easiest and most reliable way to stay compliant and confidently handle food in any workplace.

Sign up for food handling training today to build the knowledge and skills needed to keep your customers and community safe.