Work experience is not enough - you need a Food Safety Supervisor Statement of Attainment from a Recognised Training Organisation (RTO). That said, you may have already completed all or some of the Food Safety Supervisor Units of Competency in previous training.

If this is the case, before beginning any further training, first check any previous qualifications for the specific Units of Competency you require. Bear in mind that some Units of Competency might be superseded or even expired. To check out the current Units of Competency for each food sector, you can visit our page about Food Industry Sectors in Australia.

Registered Training Organisations engage in Recognition of Prior Learning, a process that examines any previous informal or formal education relevant to food safety and hygiene. This assessment can determine whether you already meet the correct competencies to be a Food Safety Supervisor.

According to Food Standard 3.2.2A, a Food Safety Supervisor’s Statement of Attainment by the Registered Training Organisation must be issued within the last 5 years and must be renewed every 5 years by completing a Food Safety Supervisor Course.*

When requested by a local government authorised officer, you must be able to produce the Statement of Attainment for your Food Safety Supervisor. Therefore, a copy should always be kept at the food premises.

* Note for NSW: In New South Wales, school canteens, children's services, supermarkets, greengrocers, and delis have been granted a 12-month extension, until December 8 2024, to fulfil the new food safety requirements mandated by Food Standard 3.2.2A.

*Note for VIC: In Victoria, all Food Safety Supervisors who acquired their certification before December 8, 2023, have until December 2028 to renew it.