From the 8th December, 2023, Food Standards Australia & New Zealand are requiring new food safety standards and safety management tools be implemented. One of the requirements will mean there will need to be at least one food safety supervisor (FSS) appointed for each business that handles potentially hazardous items (which means those that require refrigerated storage).
A food safety supervisor is required to complete a food safety supervisor certificate. Each food safety supervisor should have their valid certificate by the 8th December, 2023, when the new laws come in.
In today’s article, we’ll explain what a food safety supervisor certificate is, what’s involved in a food safety supervisor course, and why it’s important, plus answer a number of frequently asked questions regarding the course and certification. Keep reading to learn more about the food safety supervisor certificate.
What is a food safety supervisor?
A food safety supervisor is someone who is responsible for overseeing and managing food safety in a business that handles potentially hazardous items. This means they need to have the training and knowledge to recognise, prevent and manage any potential risks within food handling.
The responsibilities of a food safety supervisor are as follows:
- Supervising food handlers that are handling unpackaged potentially hazardous food. This includes ensuring the correct safe food handling practices are followed
- Identifying, preventing, and fixing any food safety problems that occur
- Sharing their knowledge and skills of the industry with food handlers and promoting positive food safety practices within the food business
- Ensuring all necessary steps are taken to manage food safety risks
It’s a requirement that each food safety supervisor completes a food safety course with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) such as Express Online Training. A food safety supervisor must successfully complete the SITSS00069 – Food Safety Supervision Skill Set , which includes both SITXFSA005 – Use hygienic practices for food safety and SITXFSA006 – Participate in safe food handling practices.
What is a food safety supervisor certificate?
A food safety supervisor certificate is an official document issued by an RTO that certifies the knowledge and understanding of a person in regards to safe food handling practices. It also serves as evidence that they can manage workplace risks associated with food handling activities. This includes any potential hazards and how to safely manage them.
It’s important to note that a food safety supervisor certificate remains valid for five years from the date of issue. After this time, the certification will need to be renewed in order for the individual to continue work as a food safety supervisor.
What’s involved in a food safety supervisor course?
A food safety supervisor course is short, and can typically be completed in one to two full days of study. If units SITXFSA005 – Use hygienic practices for food safety and SITXFSA006 – Participate in safe food handling practices have not previously been completed, then they should be completed as part of this course.
During this course, participants will learn how to identify, prevent, and fix any food safety problems that occur, how to supervise food handlers that are handling unpackaged potentially hazardous food, and how to ensure all steps for managing food safety risks are taken, among other skill sets.
How do I get a food safety supervisor certificate?
If you’re wondering how do I get a food safety supervisor certificate in NSW, QLD, WA, or any other Australian state or territory, the answer is to complete the course through an accredited RTO.
Why choose us when completing your food safety supervisor certificate?
Express Online Training has partnered with the RTO Streamline Training to provide WA Food Safety Supervisor Course. This course is valid for work in all Australian states and territories.
With the WA Food Safety Supervisor Course from Streamline Training, there are three options for completion:
100% online course
- Provides a fully self-paced option
- Allows participants to access the course 24/7 and complete the food safety supervisor certificate online and at times that best suit them
- Affordable at just $99
Perth classroom (across two days)
- An interactive option
- Fully accredited trainer support on-hand and face-to-face
- Potential to meet like minded individuals
Online course + Perth classroom practical
- Allows students to complete the theory online and at their own pace
- A short, practical assessment component that’s face-to-face
- Expert trainers on-hand to answer questions
This means you have the choice of completing your food safety supervisor certificate online, in person – or a combination of both.
Streamline Training’s food safety supervisor course is fully accredited and compliant. Upon successful completion, participants are eligible to receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment and certificate. Afterpay is also offered for all three options, allowing students to pay in 4 interest-free instalments.
Frequently asked questions
Below are a few frequently asked questions regarding the food safety supervisor certificate.
What is included in the food safety supervisor course from Streamline Training?
The details of the food safety supervisor course will differ slightly depending on which option is chosen.
- The 100% online course includes approximately 12 hours of online self-paced learning and assessment, followed by a practical demonstration that can be completed through video upload, which should take around 45 to 60 minutes
- The Perth classroom option involves two full days of face-to-face study, totalling 12 hours
- The online course + Perth classroom practical assessment involves 12 hours of online self-paced learning and assessment along with a face-to-face practical demonstration element that should take between 45 and 60 minutes
- All options involve knowledge activities, practical demonstration, direct observation, and role play
When do the new food safety standards and safety management tools come into practice?
These new standards come into practice on the 8th December, 2023. From this date, businesses that handle potentially hazardous items are required to have at least one food safety supervisor appointed.
How long is a food safety supervisor certificate valid for?
For both category one and category two food businesses, a food safety supervisor certificate is valid for five years from the date of issue. This means the food safety supervisor course must be completed every five years in order to ensure the accreditation is renewed and valid.
Will I need to complete my food safety supervisor course within the one session?
No, when you choose to complete the food safety supervisor course online with Streamline Training, you will be able to break up your study into smaller periods of time, if needed. This allows for greater flexibility in how the course is completed and helps accommodate any additional commitments or obligations.
Are there any prerequisites for completing a food safety supervisor course?
No, there are no prerequisites for completing a food safety supervisor course with Streamline Training. Language, literacy, and numeracy skills will be assessed to gauge whether any additional support will be required.
Can overseas students complete the food safety supervisor certificate?
Yes, overseas students are now able to complete the food safety supervisor certificate as a result of the recent changes to the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act).
When will I get my Statement of Attainment?
You will be issued a physical Statement of Attainment upon the successful completion of your food safety supervisor course. This is a nationally recognised certificate that can be used in any state or territory of Australia.
How long will I have to complete my food safety supervisor course?
When choosing either option one or option three, you’ll have three months from the enrollment date to complete your food safety supervisor certificate. This means you can break up the learning into smaller chunks that fit in with your lifestyle and commitments. If you choose option two, the fully face-to-face study, you’ll need to complete the course over the two assigned days of study in the Perth CBD classroom.
What is a category one food business?
A category one food business includes food retailers, caterers, and servers that process and serve food that is deemed potentially hazardous. This includes both food that is served to customers to eat within the business, and food that is taken away and eaten elsewhere.
What is a category two food business?
A category two food business is somewhere that retails potentially hazardous, ready-to-eat food. This food should have been received either unpackaged by the food business, or was unpackaged by the food business after it was received, and was not made by the food business (excluding slicing, weighing, repacking, reheating, or hot-holding the food).
Who is allowed to be a food safety supervisor?
A number of people would meet the requirements of being a food safety supervisor. This can include the business, owner, manager, chef, or other employee. The requirements are:
- The food safety supervisor is not a food safety supervisor for any other food premises or mobile catering businesses
- They can both train and supervise others to ensure that safe food handling occurs
- That the food safety supervisor is reasonably available and can be contacted easily, for example, by phone, when needed.
Businesses are also able to have multiple food safety supervisors on staff to cover annual leave, shift work, or longer hours.
Is having a food safety supervisor required by law?
From the 8th December, 2023, all food businesses handling potentially hazardous items for ready-to-eat food will be required to have a qualified food safety supervisor. A number of businesses are exempt from this requirement, as listed below.
What businesses are exempt from requiring a food safety supervisor?
There are several businesses that will not be required to have a food safety supervisor, under Standard 3.2.2A of the Food Standards Code. These include:
- Businesses that only wholesale or manufacture food, without direct sales to consumers. This includes manufacturers of food products that are sold packaged to supermarkets
- Any food business that does not serve or retail unpackaged food deemed potentially hazardous and ready to eat. An example of this is a fuel station that sells food that stays in its original sealed packaging
- Food handling that’s completed as a one-off event, or occasional charity fundraising events. For example, a sausage sizzle
Why is a food safety supervisor important for a business?
A food safety supervisor is important for helping prevent foodborne illnesses, protect consumer health, and maintain the reputation of food businesses. They ensure that proper food handling practices are followed, minimising the risk of food safety issues.
Why choose Express Online Training?
Express Online Training is a Registered Training Organisation that provides a number of courses and certifications for those wishing to expand their skill set in their chosen field. These include Responsible Service of Alcohol courses, Responsible Service of Gambling courses, White Card courses, Licensee courses, and more. We’ve also partnered with RTO Streamline Training for a number of other courses, such as the WA Food Safety Supervisor course and the Cocktail Mixology Class Online.
Our courses are designed to be straightforward, while equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles. We strive to provide high-quality training, with online, flexible education. Many of our courses can be completed fully online, allowing students to choose the times that best suit them.
Express Online Training is fully accredited with and recognised by ASQA, Liquor & Gaming NSW and the relevant State and Federal bodies. We also have locally-based support available, 7 days a week, to answer any questions you may have regarding your course.
A food safety supervisor will become a requirement for many food businesses from the 8th December, 2023. These food safety supervisors will need to complete a food safety supervisor certificate. We hope this article has been helpful in answering a number of questions regarding the food safety supervisor course and certificate.
By completing the WA Food Safety Supervisor Course with Streamline Training, you’ll be qualified to work as a food safety supervisor in any state or territory of Australia.
