Food business requirements
Whether starting a new food business, or taking over an existing one, class 1 and class 2 food business operators need to have a food safety program. Class 3 food business operators are required to keep minimum records. Class 4 business operators must notify Council.
The program ensures you understand how to prepare, store and transport food in a safe manner.
For Class 1 and Class 2 your Food Safety Program is your plan for delivering safe food to your customers and it requires one person to be nominated as the food safety supervisor.
This person must have a certificate for the required competency standards relevant to their industry from a registered training organisation.
For further information about food safety training and requirements visit the Short Courses Victoria website; for food safety programs visit the Food Safety website.
Food business classes
Food businesses are allocated a Class group of 1, 2, 3 or 4. Email Health Services or phone 9278 4701; they can advise you which class applies to your current or future premises.
Class 1 food businesses
- Proprietors of Class 1 food businesses are required by law to have a Food Safety Program audited by an auditor approved by the Department of Health.
- At present, you must continue to have a tailored food safety program. In the future food safety program templates will be developed for class 1 premises.
- An audit certificate is required to be provided to council - this will be the responsibility of the auditor.
- You should retain full audit reports for four years so that the report can be provided if the council requests it.
- A list of approved auditors is available at the Food Safety website. Your premises must then be audited at least annually thereafter.
- You will need to undergo two mandatory compliance checks each year, a council assessment and an audit by an approved auditor.
Class 2 food businesses
- Proprietors of Class 2 food premises need to have a Food Safety Program in place.
- Your will need to inform council which food safety program you will use prior to transferring or commencing Food Act registration.
- A food safety program template will be available at no cost to assist you and other approved templates are available free at the Food Safety website. The FoodSmart website allows you to prepare and submit your annual food safety program to Council online.
- Purchase a hard copy template from Information Victoria, phone 1300 366 356.
Class 3 food businesses
- This is a newly introduced class involved mainly with unpackaged low risk foods or sale of pre-packaged potentially hazardous foods which need refrigeration.
- Proprietors of Class 3 food premises will no longer need to have a Food Safety Program in place.
- Your premises will not be required by law to have a food safety supervisor.
- You will need to complete minimum records about your food handling practices at your premises.
- Existing food businesses can continue to use their current food safety program until your current registration is renewed.
- There is a free online food handling program to help maintain safe food handling.
Class 4 food businesses
- Given the low risk associated with class 4 activities you are not required to have:
- a food safety program
- a food safety supervisor
- an annual council inspection.
- You will need to complete a notification form once only, not annually.
- Council may inspect your premises if any complaints are received.
- There is a free online food handling program to help maintain safe food handling.
Notification form for Class 4 food business
Summary of the new classification requirements
Classes |
Registration |
Food Safety Program (FSP) |
Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) |
Inspection |
| Class 1 | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Class 2 | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Class 3 | yes | minimum records only | not required | yes |
| Class 4 | notify only | no | not required | no |
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