Food handler training
Class 2 canteen operators must ensure all food handlers, including volunteers, either:
- complete a food safety course which includes, at a minimum, content on safe handling of food, food contamination, cleaning and sanitising of food contact surfaces and equipment, and personal hygiene (refer to for a free online course offered by the Department of Health)
- possess adequate skills in food safety and hygiene to do the activity they are required to do correctly and keep food safe. This means a food handler’s prior learning can be recognised without needing to complete a training course, such as competency-based food safety training, workplace education, or previous experience in the food industry if relevant to the activities they do.
It is recommended that records are kept on staff training to easily demonstrate to authorised officers that the canteen is meeting food handler training requirements.
Refer to the next chapter for requirements for food fundraisers staffed mostly by volunteers.
Includes requirements for training food handlers in canteens.
Reviewed 19 May 2026