Food Safety Supervisor Course in the Australian Capital Territory

November 22, 2024

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the Food Safety Supervisor course in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and how it helps food establishments meet applicable food safety laws and regulations.

Despite being much less cosmopolitan and multicultural than many other states and territories in Australia, the ACT still boasts a wide range of regional and international cuisines featuring fresh produce grown locally.

The latest data from Statista indicates that there are more than a thousand cafes and restaurants currently operating in the ACT, most of which are located in the capital city, Canberra. All of these establishments, along with most other food businesses in the territory, are required to follow the strict food safety standards established by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

One of the key requirements set out by this legislation is the mandatory appointment of a certified Food Safety Supervisor. Individuals selected for this role must complete a Food Safety Supervisor course delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) such as Food Safety First.

This blog will guide explore the Food Safety Supervisor course in more detail, highlighting its importance when it comes to complying with food safety regulations in the ACT. Continue reading to discover how to keep customers safe while complying with federal and state legislation.

Food Safety Legislation in the Australian Capital Territory

The ACT follows the food safety regulations set out by the Food Act 2001. This legislation is designed to ensure that all food sold in the state is safe for human consumption in line with the requirements of the FSANZ Food Standards Code.

The Food Standards Code, which includes FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A, is enforced by the ACT Health Protection Service, the governing body responsible for regulating and monitoring food safety throughout the state.

ACT Health Protection Service

The ACT Health Protection Service is responsible for the following:

Food business registration
Providing food safety resources
Enforcing food safety training requirements
Conducting food business inspections
Managing kilojoule display legislation
Publishing the Register of Food Offences

Register of Food Offences

The ACT Health Protection Service maintains a Register of Food Offences designed to publicly call out businesses that serve unsafe food or fail to comply with the FSANZ Food Standards Code.

Publishing offences in the register, as mandated by the Food Act, enhances transparency, helping customers make informed decisions about where they purchase or consume their food.

The register contains:

Name of the individual or company found guilty of an offence
Business address
Date of the offence
Court penalty

The information listed above will remain on the register for up to 2 years from the date of first publication. Information will not be published on the register if a non-publication order has been passed by the court.

FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A

ACT food safety compliance is governed by FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A, a federal regulation designed to enhance food safety through the implementation of record-keeping, food handler training and food safety supervision procedures.

The food safety supervision element of Standard 3.2.2A requires most businesses that prepare or serve food to have at least one certified Food Safety Supervisor on duty at any given time.

Food Safety Supervisor

A Food Safety Supervisor is a certified individual tasked with implementing and overseeing all food safety procedures in the workplace. While this role is typically carried out by senior employees like restaurant managers and chefs, it is open to all food industry professionals.

Duties include:

Developing and implementing a Food Safety Plan based on HACCP principles
Ensuring compliance with food safety laws and regulations
Training and supervising staff in safe food handling
Monitoring food safety procedures on a day-to-day basis
Maintaining accurate records of food safety practices
Taking corrective actions to address food safety issues

Food Safety Supervisors will also allocate time to handling any internal or external food safety concerns. This generally involves responding to questions from Food Handlers in the workplace or communicating with local authorities such as the ACT Health Protection Service regarding routine inspections and food safety violations.

Food Safety Supervisor Training in the Australian Capital Territory

The Food Safety Supervisor course delivered by Food Safety First is nationally recognised and equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to ensure that all food prepared or served by their establishment is safe for consumption.

All the legally required elements outlined by Standard 3.2.2A are covered within the course curriculum. Topics include:

Cleaning and sanitising: Learn professional cleaning and sanitising techniques that can be used to prevent contamination.
Food allergies: Learn about food allergens and explore effective allergen management strategies.
Food contamination: Recognise food-borne pathogens, high-risk foods and the dangers of physical, biological and chemical contamination.
Food handling and storage: Discover best practices for safe food handling and storage, from receiving deliveries to serving customers.
Food safety laws: Learn about the various laws and regulations that govern food safety in the Australian Capital Territory.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP): Understand the seven principles of HACCP and how to apply them to real-life situations.
Managing food safety risks: Identify potential risks in your food business and develop effective strategies to deal with them.
Personal hygiene: Understand the importance of hand washing and maintaining impeccable hygiene standards.
Record-keeping: Discover why maintaining accurate record-keeping is critical for demonstrating compliance.
Time and temperature control: Understand the science behind the Temperature Danger Zone (TDZ) and its impact on food safety.

Units of Competency

To become a certified Food Safety Supervisor in the ACT, students must complete the relevant units of competency for their specific sector as part of their training. The ACT Health Protection Service only recognises units of competency for Retail, Hospitality and Health & Community.

Retail

SIRRFSA001 (Handle food safely in a retail environment): Requirements for cleaning and sanitising, safe food handling and storage.

Hospitality

HLTFSE001 (Follow basic food safety practices): Knowledge and skills required for upholding personal hygiene standards, implementing food safety measures, keeping food handling areas clean and appropriately disposing of food.
HLTFSE005 (Apply and monitor food safety requirements): Fundamental food safety principles, including safe food handling and personal hygiene practices.
HLTFSE007 (Oversee the day-to-day implementation of food safety in the workplace): Capabilities required to implement and monitor food safety procedures effectively.

Health & Community

SITXFSA005 (Use hygienic practices for food safety): Basic food safety practices such as safe food handling, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitising.

SITXFSA006 (Participate in safe food handling practices): Practical elements of safe food handling such as food storage, temperature control and contamination risk management.

Certification

Participants have up to 12 months to complete the Food Safety Supervisor course. Once successfully completed, they will be awarded a Statement of Attainment outlining the units of competency obtained. This document is recognised by federal, state and local authorities and is valid for five years, after which time the course must be retaken in order to remain certified as Food Safety Supervisor in the ACT.

Enrolment

Now that you are up to speed with the Food Safety Supervisor course in the Australian Capital Territory, it's time to take a step closer to certification. Ensure compliance and safeguard customers by enrolling with Food Safety First.

Simply sign up online or get in touch for help choosing the right online course for your business.