Food Safety Supervisor Training Information

November 10, 2016

The main role of a business’s Food Safety Supervisor is to ensure that the customers, staff and the business itself are kept safe. To do this the Food Safety Supervisor needs to be aware of what their responsibilities are know how to meet them – which is why it is essential to complete the proper training.

The role of a Food Safety Supervisor is to monitor and maintain food safety in a food business. This is an important role and carries with it certain responsibilities, which if not met can result in inadvertently causing harm.

All Food Safety Supervisor training needs to be nationally recognised and accredited in order to not only meet the food authorities requirements but also to ensure that you are learning the appropriate information to be able to complete the role of a Food Safety Supervisor in today’s food handling environment.

Nationally recognised accredited training refers to training which has been delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This means that the course teaches the students all of the essential skills needed for the workplace. By completing nationally recognised accredited training, students can be confident that the training meets all of the current industry standards.

Which topics should a food safety supervisor course cover?

The specific subjects that a Food Safety Supervisor course needs to cover will vary depending on where the business is located. Food Safety Supervisor requirements are regulated by the state governments and local councils, which divide food businesses into food sectors.

The food sectors outline the units of competency that must be completed in order to be qualified to work as a Food Safety Supervisor in each food business. Before enrolling in a Food Safety Supervisor course, students first need to consider which food sector they wish to work in so they can complete the required units of competency for that industry.

However, although there are different training requirements in Australia, certain topics must be covered in all Food Safety Supervisor courses – below are some examples:

  • The food safety laws and regulations relevant to your food business
  • Potential food safety hazards and how to control them
  • Contamination factors
  • How to clean and sanitise
  • Good personal hygiene
  • Time and temperature controls
  • Maintaining pest control
  • Food Safety Programs

For more information on the individual requirements for Food Safety Supervisors in Australia, you can visit the individual state pages.

After completing a food safety supervisor course

Once you have successfully completed a nationally recognised Food Safety Supervisor course, you will receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment. This is a certificate that has the units of competency printed on it that correspond with the food sector you have completed the requirements for in your course.

If your business is located in NSW you are required to hold a Statement of Attainment as well as an NSW Food Authority’s Food Safety Supervisor certificate. Food Safety First issues Statements of Attainment and is authorised by the NSW Food Authority to issue NSW Food Safety Supervisor certificates.

The Statement of Attainment, and the NSW Food Authority’s Food Safety Supervisor certificate if required need to be provided to your local council to meet the Food Safety Supervisor requirement.

Next steps

To begin your Food Safety Supervisor training, simply follow the instructions on our Food Safety Supervisor (Level 1 & 2) course page.