Why EOFY Is Your Team's Best Opportunity for Food Safety Training

End of Financial Year (EOFY) is the ideal time to invest in food safety training. Most businesses have unused training budgets, and EOFY timing aligns perfectly with team planning. Why not train your staff now, stay compliant into the new financial year and maximise tax benefits before 30 June?

What does EOFY mean for food businesses in Australia?

30 June is more than just a date on the calendar for Australian food businesses, it is a deadline that can be used strategically to invest in your team's food safety knowledge.

If your staff are not up to date on food safety practices, certifications or regulatory changes, EOFY 2026 is the perfect window to close that gap. Why? Because you still have budget to use, your team often has slightly lighter schedules mid-year, and completing training now sets you up for a compliant, confident start to the new financial year.

Budget planning (use it or lose it)

Unused training budgets don't typically roll over into the new financial year. If your business allocated funds for training and compliance this year and has not yet spent them, 30 June is your deadline. Letting that money go unused is leaving value on the table.

Food safety training is one of the smartest investments you can make with that budget. It is not just a compliance requirement - it is a direct investment in reducing food-borne illness risks, improving staff confidence and protecting your business from liability. Whether you are training a single Food Safety Supervisor or upskilling your entire team of Food Handlers, EOFY is your chance to allocate those funds toward practical, nationally recognised certification.

Getting your team ready for the new financial year

Starting a new financial year with a fully trained, confident team gives you a competitive edge. Your staff will develop the knowledge and skills required to handle food safely, spot hazards faster and respond confidently to audits and inspections.

Using the EOFY period for food safety training also sends a message to your team - food safety matters, and your business invests in their development. Staff who feel supported and well trained are more engaged and less likely to cut corners, resulting in safe food handling practices that protect both your business and your customers from the impact of food-borne illness.

Tax benefits and cost savings

Training expenses are typically tax-deductible. When you invest in food safety certification for your team, you are improving operational safety and reducing your tax liability. Speak with your accountant about how training costs align with your business's tax planning - the savings often offset the training investment.

Additionally, reducing food-borne illness incidents, complaints and non-compliance penalties by having well-trained staff delivers long-term savings that far outweigh the upfront training cost.

How to get started before 30 June

Starting now gives you the best chance of completing training before EOFY. Here is a simple process you can follow:

1. Audit your team's current certifications - who needs Food Handler, Food Safety Supervisor or Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training?
2. Choose your courses - select nationally recognised training that meets your business's needs.
3. Enrol early - don't wait until the last few days of June, plan ahead and take advantage of EOFY promotions.
4. Receive digital Statement of Attainment - once training is complete, participants will receive documentation that can be used as proof of certification.

The online food safety courses delivered by the Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS) make the process flexible. Each course comes with up to 12 months' online access so your team can learn at their own pace, fitting training around shifts and customer service.

Those looking to complete their program as quickly as possible can usually finish their training within a day. Having 12 months' access means you can buy now, train later - making it possible to take advantage of EOFY promotions even if training is not likely to happen for several weeks or months.

EOFY offers from AIFS

To help make the most of your training budget, AIFS is offering exclusive EOFY pricing:

• Businesses: Enrol 5, Get 2 Extra Free
• Individuals: 10% Off All Courses (Discount Code EOFY10)

These offers apply to all courses, including nationally recognised Food Handler, Food Safety Supervisor and RSA training. Whether you’re training one person or your entire team, EOFY is the smartest time to invest.

Offer expires 30 June, 2026. Enrol now to or get in touch to secure your team's training before EOFY.