Food handler course in Gold Coast
Last updated: 23 October 2026
Short answer
You can take our food handler course online from anywhere in Gold Coast. The course and the exam are free; you pay A$19 (GST included) for the certificate only if you pass.
The course follows Standard 3.2.2A of the Food Standards Code, and your certificate has a QR code your employer can check.
Who checks food businesses in Gold Coast?
Food businesses deal with their local council. This is what City of Gold Coast says:
- On the Gold Coast you need a council licence to handle or prepare unpackaged food as part of your business, whether in fixed premises, mobile premises or a temporary food stall.[1]
- Food licences are valid until 31 August and are renewed every year.[1]
- The licence application asks for food safety training or qualifications, where they apply.[1]
Gold Coast is in Queensland:
- Under Queensland's Food Act 2006, a café, restaurant, bar or takeaway that sells unpackaged food needs a food business licence from its local council.[2]
What training do food handlers in Gold Coast need?
The same as everywhere in Australia. Since December 2023, Standard 3.2.2A has required each food handler who handles unpackaged, potentially hazardous food that is ready to eat to have completed a food safety training course, or to have adequate skills and knowledge in food safety and hygiene, before doing that work.[3]
A food safety training course under the Standard covers safe handling of food, food contamination, cleaning and sanitising of food premises and equipment, and personal hygiene.[3] No refresher period has been set, but businesses need to make sure their food handlers' skills and knowledge are adequate and up to date.[3]
The business must also have a certified food safety supervisor to supervise these food handlers.[3] This course does not give a food safety supervisor certificate.
Businesses may keep a record of the training their food handlers have completed, to show authorised officers they meet the requirements.[3]
What does the course include and what does it cost?
The Food Handler Course (Australia) is based on the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and covers the four food handler training topics in Standard 3.2.2A: 7 modules with a quiz in each one and a final exam of 30 questions (pass with 21). The certificate confirms you completed the training.
The course and the exam are free; you pay A$19 (GST included) for the certificate only if you pass. See the course.
Other cities
Sources
- Food business: fixed, mobile and temporary premises (City of Gold Coast, no date shown)
- Do I need a food business licence? (Queensland Government, last updated 26 November 2025)
- Food handler training (Food Standards Australia New Zealand, page last updated 1 October 2025)
Do your food handler training online, free
7 short modules, a quiz in each one and a final exam. The course and the exam are free; the certificate costs A$19 (GST included) and you only pay if you pass.