Frequently Asked Questions
Skip to main content
H > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your commonly asked questions about food safety regulation in Queensland. If your question is not answered here, we encourage you to submit it here or give us a call on 1800 300 815.

Accreditation
  • What are the benefits to holding an accreditation?

    An accreditation with Safe Food, as outlined in the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000 and the Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014, gives you permission to operate in Queensland.

    Aside from being a legal obligation, there are many other benefits to holding an accreditation with Safe Food. For instance, an accreditation provides independent verification that the systems and processes you have in place are suitable for producing safe food. This is important for reassuring your customers and growing your business. More benefits are outlined in the following video:

  • Do I need an accreditation?

    If you produce, process or transport meat, eggs, dairy, seafood or horticulture produce in Queensland, then you may require an accreditation with Safe Food. An accreditation is required in order to legally sell or supply your product(s) in Queensland.

  • Why do I pay for accreditation?

  • How are applications for accreditation assessed?

    Applications for accreditation are assessed in accordance with the activities that the applicant tells us they are intending to undertake. All applications are assessed based upon a comparison of the proposed activities against matters such as the relevant food safety scheme/s and any applicable standards that may apply to the type of business that the applicant intends to operate.

  • Why do I need to pay an application fee?

    An application fee of $181.90 (2024) applies to all new accreditation applications. This amount covers the costs associated with processing new applications and includes matters such as creating a new accreditation record and processing and assessing the application.

  • How long does an accreditation last for?

    All accreditations remain valid until 31 December in the year for which they are issued or renewed. Therefore, all accreditation holders need to renew their accreditation and pay (in full) the prescribed fee before 1 January in the following calendar year in order to continue to operate.

  • How do I renew my accreditation?

    In early November of each year, all accreditation holders will receive a renewal notice via email. This notice includes instructions on how to renew your accreditation, including how to use our Client Portal to manage your details.

    If you haven’t received your renewal advice by 30 November, please contact us.

  • What is a temporary accreditation?

    A temporary accreditation is issued to new applicants deemed to be undertaking activities that are medium-risk or high-risk. A temporary accreditation is issued for a period of up to two months, prior to being considered for an open accreditation.

    Under a temporary accreditation, medium or high-risk businesses are required to have their food production system approved by Safe Food before they can supply food products that pose a higher risk to consumers. High risk foods include things like ready-to-eat meats, oysters, dairy products and more (note: these are just examples and not an exhaustive list).

    Your level of risk is determined based on what is documented in your Management Statement or Food Safety Program, and compared against the Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014.

    To facilitate the approval process, medium and high-risk food businesses are required to provide additional technical information to demonstrate their nominated food safety controls are effective in maintaining compliance with the requirements of the relevant food safety scheme or standard.

    For more information about temporary accreditations, please refer to this article.

Audits and Assessments
  • How does a Safe Food audit work?

    As part of your application for accreditation, a compliance audit will also be conducted against the food safety program or management statement you submit with your application. This audit will be done in the form of either a site visit or a desktop audit from Safe Food’s head office. Safe Food will advise you on the type of compliance audit your business requires.

    A compliance audit or assessment is also required during each accreditation period (calendar year). If you choose to renew your accreditation for the following year, your compliance audit or assessment will be done on site.

  • What does an audit cost?

    The 2024 fee for service rate (audit fee) is $340.63 per hour (plus GST). Audits are charged in 15-minute increments.

    Please note: Audit fees are an additional charge to the application and accreditation fees. You will receive an audit report and invoice once the audit has been completed.

  • What should I expect to happen during an audit or assessment?

Service Level Agreements
  • What is a Service Level Agreement?

    • A service level agreement (SLA) is a contract between Safe Food and a client or accreditation holder that documents any services Safe Food will provide, at the request of the client.

      Safe Food offers SLAs to clients who require assistance in meeting legislative requirements. The assistance offered under an SLA generally falls outside of the scope of services that Safe Food would normally perform under our core regulatory activities.

      For instance, Safe Food has conducted SLAs for businesses who requested assistance with

      • Site inspections of existing facilities prior to signing a lease or purchasing to ensure the premise complies with relevant legislation
      • Reviewing site plans for new builds or facility upgrades to ensure the premise will comply with relevant legislation once built
      • Addressing production issues in operating facilities
      • Overseeing a validation trial for a new product or process

      All SLAs include a formal written report prepared by Safe Food to confirm any findings of a review or inspection and provide advice on additional requirements or alternations that may be required.

  • What fees come with a Service Level Agreement?

    • The 2024 fee for service rate for SLAs is $340.63 per hour (plus GST). The overall cost of an SLA is dependent on the scope and associated timeframe to complete of the services you request.

      Please note in some instances the travel time for Safe Food officers is also chargeable at the fee for service rate. This can include charges for flights, accommodation and travel (car hire).

  • How can I request a Service Level Agreement?

    • If you wish to request a SLA with Safe Food, please contact us on (07) 3253 9800 to discuss your situation. Alternatively, please email us at info@safefood.qld.gov.au detailing the activities you are intending on undertaking (e.g. meat processing), the location of your facility and the services you require.

      Safe Food will contact you to discuss your request further and provide you with further information if you decide to proceed.