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 1 Businesses
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Takeaway food shops
- Caterers
- Hospitals
- Childcare centres
- Family daycares
- Bakeries
- Mobile food vendors
- Market stalls
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.