Food safety training
This page is about food safety training for food handlers and food supervisors.
If you handle food for sale in the ACT you must make sure it’s safe to eat. This is the law.
Find out more about:
Who must complete food safety training
All registered food businesses in the ACT must appoint a food safety supervisor.
Food safety supervisors:
- oversee the day-to-day food handling work of the food business
- manage risks.
A food safety supervisor must complete approved food safety training every 5 years.
Approved food safety training
| Industry sector | Approved food safety training |
|---|---|
| Hospitality businesses such as restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, hotels, supermarkets | Both units:
Or The training approved for the retail sector or the health and community services sector. |
| Retail such as convenience stores, grocers, petrol stations | SIRRFSA001 - Apply retail food safety practices. Or The training approved for the hospitality sector or the health and community services sector. |
| Health and community services such as hospitals, childcare centres, nursing homes | All 3 units:
|
| Food businesses (including home-based businesses) that do not sell potentially hazardous food. For example, businesses that only sell plain bread, sweets or dry goods. | Or I’m Alert food safety training Or Any of the units approved for another industry sector. |
Food businesses that sell food only at a declared event. Declared events include:
| Or I’m Alert food safety training Or Any of the units approved for another industry sector. |
If you completed equivalent units in the past 5 years that have since been superseded, you don’t need to update your training.
Free online training
There are 2 free online food safety training programs:
Each take 2 hours to complete.
DoFoodSafely is available in English, Arabic, Korean, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Both training programs teach safe food handling. They have quizzes to test your knowledge of general food safety. When you complete the training you receive a certificate.
Proof of training
You will need proof you have completed approved training. You will get a certificate of completion or statement of attainment which you should keep in a safe place.
You must keep your proof of training at the food business.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed other training units, and you think they should count towards the food safety supervisor requirements, talk to your registered training organisation (RTO).
There are several ways to get credit including:
- recognition of prior learning
- credit transfer for parts of other qualifications already completed.
Contact your preferred RTO to apply.
Mutual recognition
If you completed food safety supervisor training in another state or territory in the last 5 years it will be recognised.
How long your training is valid for
A statement of attainment that satisfies the training requirements is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
Find a registered training organisation
These websites list RTOs that offer food safety training: