Food Safety Supervisor Course in Victoria: Ensure Compliance Today

December 10, 2024

In this blog, we will explore the Food Safety Supervisor course in Victoria, uncovering the critical role it plays in ensuring food businesses in the region fulfil their legal obligations regarding food safety.

Victoria is currently home to approximately 58,000 food and beverage businesses, including a wide variety of restaurants, cafés and bars. All of these establishments are subject to mandatory food safety regulations established by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the Victoria Department of Health.

The most notable of these regulations is FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A, which requires all food establishments to appoint at least one designated Food Safety Supervisor. Whoever is chosen to carry out this role must be certified through a government-approved training program.

Food Safety First is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) authorised by the government to deliver Food Safety Supervisor training that aligns with legislative requirements. Continue reading to find out what this course includes and the benefits it brings beyond compliance.

The Importance of Food Safety Supervisor Training in Victoria

Food safety is essential to the day-to-day operations of any food business, and failing to comply with legal requirements can lead to serious consequences, including food-borne illness, business fines, forced closure, and reputational harm.

The Food Safety Supervisor course in Victoria is your opportunity to ensure customer safety and comply with Standard 3.2.2A.

Food Safety Legislation (National and Local)

The FSANZ Food Standards Code forms the national standard for food safety in Australia. Although this legislation is applied at a federal level, each state or territory is responsible for enforcing it locally. In Victoria, this is the responsibility of the Victoria Department of Health.

Victoria Food Safety Regulations

The Food Act 1984 governs the sale and production of food in Victoria and aligns with the standards outlined in the FSANZ Food Standards Code, including Standard 3.2.2A.

To ensure this legislation is as effective as possible, the Victoria Department of Health categorises businesses based on the potential risk they present to consumers. There are four different classes of business, ranging from Class 1 (highest risk) to Class 4 (lowest risk).

This classification system acts as a guide for Health Inspectors when issuing food safety violation notices. Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in Victoria have the authority to close businesses if they believe there is an immediate threat to public health.

It's important to note that this system doesn’t align with the classifications outlined in Standard 3.2.2A, which includes just two categories of food businesses – Category One and Category Two. Business owners in Victoria should be aware of their business classification both at a federal and state/territory level to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Food Safety Supervisor Training Requirements in Victoria

At a national level, FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A requires businesses involved in food preparation, service, or delivery to appoint at least one designated Food Safety Supervisor to monitor food safety procedures. In Victoria, compliance is enforced by the Victoria Department of Health.

Food Safety Supervisors are the primary point of contact for all food safety matters in the workplace. Key responsibilities include:

Establishing a Food Safety Plan based on HACCP principles
Implementing and monitoring food safety procedures
Training and supervising Food Handlers
Taking corrective actions to address any food safety incidents
Maintaining accurate records of food safety practices
Ensuring compliance with food safety legislation

Individuals who have been appointed as the designated Food Safety Supervisor for their workplace must possess a valid Statement of Attainment obtained through the successful completion of a Food Safety Supervisor course delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This online course needs to be retaken every five years in order to retain certification.

To become a certified Food Safety Supervisor in Victoria, you must achieve specific units of competency aligned to the sector in which you work.

Hospitality:

SITXFSA005 - Use Hygienic Practices for Food Safety
SITXFSA006 - Participate in Safe Food Handling Practices

Retail:

SIRRFSA001 - Handle Food Safely in a Retail Environment

Food Processing:

FBPFSY1002 - Follow Work Procedures to Maintain Food Safety
FBPFSY2002 - Apply Food Safety Procedures

Transport & Distribution:

SITXFSA005 - Use Hygienic Practices for Food Safety
SITXFSA006 - Participate in Safe Food Handling Practices

These are the only units of competency recognised by the Victoria Department of Health. If your business type does not fall under any of the categories listed above, you should instead select the closest match.

Food Safety Supervisor Course in Victoria: What to Expect

The Food Safety Supervisor course offered by Food Safety First equips food service professionals in Victoria with the knowledge and skills required to successfully implement and monitor safe food handling practices in line with Standard 3.2.2A.

Interactive Lessons

There are 19 interactive lessons to complete during the course, covering everything from hand washing to safe food storage.

Lesson 1 - Food Safety Laws & Responsibilities

Lesson 2 - Food Contamination & High-Risk Groups

Lesson 3 - Biological Contamination

Lesson 4 - Other Types of Contamination

Lesson 5 - Allergen Management

Lesson 6 - Cleaning & Sanitising

Lesson 7 - Maintaining Food Premises

Lesson 8 - Hand Washing

Lesson 9 - Personal Hygiene & Workplace Behaviour

Lesson 10 - Illness & Onsite Injuries

Lesson 11 - Time & Temperature Control

Lesson 12 - Receiving & Storing Food

Lesson 13 - Working with Food Safely

Lesson 14 - Serving Food Safely

Lesson 15 - Food Safety Programs

Lesson 16 - Identifying Food Safety Hazards

Lesson 17 - Monitoring, Controlling & Correcting Food Safety Hazards

Lesson 18 - Reporting, Investigating & Recording Food Safety Breaches

Lesson 19 - Food Safety Management

Assessment Activities

The Food Safety Supervisor course includes four types of assessment.

1. Lesson Quizzes

At the end of each lesson there is a multiple-choice quiz. Participants have five attempts to achieve a score of 100 percent, which is required in order to move on to the next lesson.

2. Case Studies

There are two case studies to complete. These are designed to verify an individual’s ability to apply their newly-acquired knowledge in real-life situations. After reading the case study scenario, participants are required to answer a series of multiple-choice questions based on the information provided.

3. Reading Activity

There is also a reading activity covering the topic of potentially hazardous foods. To complete this section of the course, participants are required to download a PDF document from the course page, read it, and complete a series of multiple-choice questions based on its content.

4. Observer Report

This is the only part of the course to be completed in person. It requires participants to perform practical tasks such as hand washing in front of an observer (usually a co-worker or supervisor) who then submits a report to verify they have been completed to the required industry food safety standards.

Observed tasks can be historic but must have occurred on several occasions within the last 12 months under various conditions. If certain tasks from the observer report can't be done in your workplace, you can use role play to demonstrate your proficiency.

Certification Process

After the final assessment has been reviewed and deemed satisfactory, participants will be emailed a Statement of Attainment within 1-2 business days. This document outlines the units of competency completed during the course and remains valid for five years. To keep their certification up to date, Food Safety Supervisors must retake the course before their certification expires.

It is important to keep this Statement of Attainment on file, as an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) may request it as proof of certification during a routine inspection.

Your journey to food safety compliance in Victoria

Food Safety First is here to help you meet Victoria food safety regulations with a nationally recognised Food Safety Supervisor course that can be completed online—any time, any place.

Enrol online today or contact us to discover all the benefits this online course has to offer.