Early Learning Australia (ELA) has selected the Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS) as a preferred supplier of nationally recognised training for childcare teams looking to meet food safety requirements without unnecessary complexity. Through this partnership, both organisations are working together to help childcare centres build the knowledge and skills needed to safely handle, prepare and serve food to children across Australia.
In this blog, we’ll explore the food safety training requirements childcare centres must meet, and why safe food handling practices are essential in these settings.
Young children are among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to food-borne illness. Their immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella. Even common symptoms like vomiting or diarrhoea can escalate quickly in a childcare setting, affecting multiple children in a short period of time.
The numbers tell the story. More than 4 million Australians are affected by food-borne illness each year, and children are disproportionately impacted. Add to this the fact that around 1 in 10 infants and up to 1 in 13 children have food allergies, and the importance of safe, consistent food handling becomes clear.
In a childcare environment, food is part of the daily routine - from morning snacks and packed lunches to birthday celebrations and cooking activities. This constant exposure means food safety isn’t a one-off task; it must be embedded in everything you do.
When food safety standards aren’t followed, the consequences can be serious. Breaches can lead to health risks for children, fines or legal action against your service, reputational damage, and even temporary or permanent closure.
This is why strict food safety regulations are in place to guide childcare providers. In some cases, having a certified Food Safety Supervisor on staff is not just recommended - it’s a legal requirement.
Professional food safety training helps turn uncertainty into confidence, shifting from “I think this is right” to “I know this is safe.”
If your childcare centre handles, prepares or serves unpackaged or ready-to-eat food, you must comply with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Standard 3.2.2A. This means demonstrating to health inspectors that:
Compliance is straightforward - and it all starts with the right training in place.
AIFS provides two nationally recognised courses designed specifically for compliance with FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A.
This course is accepted throughout Australia and enables childcare services to meet the mandatory requirement to have at least one certified Food Safety Supervisor on staff. The Food Safety Supervisor course is delivered online and covers food safety laws, hazard identification, contamination prevention and practical food handling standards that apply directly to childcare environments.
All staff who handle food - whether it's preparing snacks, managing packed lunches or supporting cooking activities - must complete Food Handler training. The AIFS Food Handler Course covers all mandatory topics required under FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A and ensures every team member meets their legal training requirement.
Both courses are delivered online by AIFS and are self-paced, with up to 12 months’ access - giving busy childcare teams the flexibility to complete training without coordinating in-person sessions.
Ready to ensure your team is compliant and confident?
Start your childcare food safety training journey today - enrol online now or contact us to learn more.
A. Both the Food Handler and Food Safety Supervisor courses are self-paced and can typically be completed within a day, depending on your schedule. You have up to 12 months to finish if you need to spread learning across a longer timeframe.
A. Yes. Both AIFS courses are nationally recognised and accepted throughout Australia, including all states and territories.
A. It is recommended to renew Food Handler certification every 5 years to ensure you are up to date with current best practice.
A. Yes. AIFS supports group enrolments and provides dedicated account management for organisations. Contact our advisors to discuss group pricing and setup.
A. If your centre has someone in a supervisory or management role overseeing food safety, they should complete the Food Safety Supervisor course. All other staff handling food should complete the Food Handler course. Our advisors can help clarify which is right for each team member - contact AIFS.