Food handler course in Sydney

Who checks food businesses in Sydney?

Food businesses deal with their local council. This is what City of Sydney says:

• Before opening, a food business in the City of Sydney area lodges a food business new premises registration form with the council.^[1]
• The City of Sydney reminds businesses that since 8 December 2023, those handling unpackaged, potentially hazardous food must employ a qualified food safety supervisor on site, train all food handlers in safety and hygiene, and be able to show how they keep food safe.^[1]

Sydney is in New South Wales:

• All retail food businesses in NSW, including restaurants, cafés and takeaways, must notify their local council before they begin to trade.^[2]
• The NSW Food Authority works with the 128 local councils across NSW, which carry out regular inspections of retail food businesses. Council environmental health officers are authorised officers under the Food Act 2003.^[3]
• In NSW, a food safety supervisor needs a certificate from the NSW Food Safety Supervisor program. This course does not give one.^[4]

What training do food handlers in Sydney 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.^[5]

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.^[5] No refresher period has been set, but businesses need to make sure their food handlers' skills and knowledge are adequate and up to date.^[5]

The business must also have a certified food safety supervisor to supervise these food handlers.^[5] 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.^[5]

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

• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Perth
• Adelaide

See all cities.