Food handler course in Melbourne
Last updated: 23 October 2026
Short answer
You can take our food handler course online from anywhere in Melbourne. 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 Melbourne?
Food businesses deal with their local council. This is what City of Melbourne says:
- To register a new food business with the City of Melbourne, you submit a new food premises assessment form, and one of the council's environmental health officers inspects the premises to check the fixtures and fittings.[1]
- Depending on the business, you may also need to prepare a food safety program and nominate a food safety supervisor before you get registration.[1]
Melbourne is in Victoria:
- Victoria's Food Act 1984 requires all businesses that handle, prepare, package, store, serve, supply or repackage food and drinks to be registered with their local council.[1]
- In Victoria, all class 1 and most class 2 food premises need a food safety program.[1]
What training do food handlers in Melbourne 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.[2]
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.[2] No refresher period has been set, but businesses need to make sure their food handlers' skills and knowledge are adequate and up to date.[2]
The business must also have a certified food safety supervisor to supervise these food handlers.[2] 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.[2]
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
- Register a food or beverage business (City of Melbourne, no date shown)
- 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.