Food Safety Supervisor training in Australia differs from sector to sector, and different food sectors require different units of competency. Food Safety Supervisors in Victoria (VIC) must complete an accredited Food Safety Supervisor course specific to their type of industry.
Upon successful completion of the course, students are issued a Statement of Attainment (SOA) listing the units of competency they have earned. Their SOA must be kept on the premises to show to Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) upon request.
There are five recognised food sectors in Victoria:
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Food Processing
- Health & Community
- Transport & Distribution
The units of competency that are required for each industry sector are listed below.
HOSPITALITY
A hospitality business is any business where food is prepared and served to customers — for example, restaurants, cafés, hotels, bars, pubs, and event or conference centres.
In Victoria, Food Safety Supervisors in the hospitality sector must obtain the following units of competency:
- SITXFSA005: Use hygienic practices for food safety
- SITXFSA006: Participate in safe food handling practices
Note: takeaway and chain food businesses can be considered either hospitality or retail food businesses.
RETAIL
A retail business is any business where food is sold to customers (usually to be consumed elsewhere) — for example, supermarkets, grocers, butchers, bakers and delis, convenience stores, caterers and takeaways.
In Victoria, Food Safety Supervisors in the retail sector must obtain the following unit of competency:
- SIRRFSA001 Handle food safely in a retail environment
FOOD PROCESSING
A food processing business is any business where food is manufactured or processed — for example, wholesale bakers, airline caterers, breweries, flour mills, pre‐prepared meal and wine producers.
In Victoria, Food Safety Supervisors in the food processing sector must obtain the following units of competency:
HEALTH & COMMUNITY
Health & community organisations prepare and serve food to vulnerable people like pregnant women, sick people, the elderly, children and babies — for example, hospitals, child and aged care facilities and school canteens.
In Victoria, Food Safety Supervisors in the health & community sector must obtain the following units of competency:
- HLTFSE001 Follow basic food safety practices
- HLTFSE005 Apply and monitor food safety requirements
- HLTFSE007 Oversee the day-to-day implementation of food safety in the workplace
TRANSPORT & DISTRIBUTION
If your business transports or stores food and / or beverages, it's a food transport & distribution business — for example, bulk food carriers, food delivery services, warehouses that store food / food products and water carriers.
In Victoria, Food Safety Supervisors in the transport & distribution sector must obtain the following units of competency:
- SITXFSA005: Use hygienic practices for food safety
- SITXFSA006: Participate in safe food handling practices
Note: These are the same units as awarded for the hospitality sector; the Industry Skills Council for the transport & distribution sector has determined that the training requirements are the same.
CHOOSE YOUR SECTOR
Choosing your food sector is easy. Follow these three simple steps:
- Enrol in an accredited Food Safety Supervisor course.
- Complete the lessons and case studies (these are the same for all sectors).
- Select the appropriate food sector for the Observer Report.
An Observer Report is a student assessment form that must be filled out by a co-worker or supervisor. It verifies that the aspiring Food Safety Supervisor has demonstrated practical food safety knowledge and skills in the workplace.
For more information about Food Safety Supervisor training requirements in VIC, or to get help enrolling in the AIFS Food Safety Supervisor course, contact our support team.
