Food Safety Course FAQ’s

The Australian Institute of Accreditation (AIA) is a nationally recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO 45009) delivering nationally accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET), with a strong focus on food safety and compliance-based training.

AIA delivers its own training and assessment and issues nationally recognised Statements of Attainment in accordance with ASQA requirements. Our courses are designed to meet real workplace expectations and regulatory standards, ensuring students gain practical, job-ready skills — not just theoretical knowledge.

With extensive experience working across hospitality, retail food, and regulated food environments, AIA develops and delivers high-quality online food safety programs that balance flexibility with strict assessment integrity.

Our approach ensures every qualification issued is valid, compliant, and trusted by employers and regulators across Australia.

Yes. The  Australian Institute of Accreditation (AIA) is a nationally recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that delivers nationally accredited food safety training and assessment under Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) framework.

All accredited courses delivered by AIA lead to a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment, issued in accordance with ASQA standards and accepted by employers, councils, and regulatory authorities across Australia (subject to state-specific requirements such as NSW Food Safety Supervisor rules).

AIA conducts its own training and assessment and does not outsource delivery to third-party RTOs. Our assessment processes — including direct observation and performance evidence — are designed to ensure every qualification issued is valid, compliant, and audit-ready.

In Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, there are laws that state that at least one person from every food business must be nominated as Food safety Supervisor, in order to allow the business to trade legally.

Food Safety Supervisor qualifications in Australia are industry specific. Both of these courses are nationally recognised as meeting the requirements for a person to be regarded as a Food Safety Supervisor. The food sector your business falls into will guide which courses you may choose to complete to ensure training is relevant to your business. Typical retail businesses include supermarkets, convenience stores, grocers, and delicatessens. Typical hospitality businesses include restaurants, cafes and hotels, where Take away and fast food businesses are generally considered either retail or hospitality food businesses.

For the Food Safety Supervisor (Hospitality) course, you will be awarded two units of competency on your SOA, SITXFSA005 Use hygiene practices for food safety and SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices. For the Food Safety Supervisor (Retail) course, you will be awarded one unit of competency, SIRRFSA001 – Handle food safely in a retail environment

All of our courses are designed to be accessed anytime, anywhere and suit how you like to learn. The length of each course will vary on the individual, depending on your prior knowledge and how you learn. In general, it takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete each of the Food Handling Certificate courses, and on average, about 4-5 hours to complete the Food Safety Supervisor courses theory sessions. The time to complete assessment and practical elements varies depending on your knowledge and availability to perform your third party observation steps.

You do not need to complete the course in the same day, or in one long session. You can space it out to suit how you like to learn. If you are looking to fast track your learning though, it is not uncommon for people to sign up and complete in the same day. We allow you 8 weeks to complete your course, so there is no need to rush.

No. AIA is not an approved CRICOS provider. International Students on a subclass 500 study visa will need to apply to a CRICOS approved provider.

 All AIA food safety courses are provided with 8 weeks of course access from the date of enrolment.

This timeframe is designed to give students ample opportunity to:

• complete learning content

• prepare for assessment

• record and submit required assessment evidence

 If you do not complete the course within the 8-week access period, your enrolment will expire.

Expired enrolments are not eligible for a refund, regardless of whether assessments were started or submitted.

Yes.
Students may apply for a course extension if they require additional time to complete their training.

Extension requests must be made before the enrolment expires and are subject to approval.

An extension fee may apply, depending on the circumstances.

Performance evidence is proof that a student can actually perform required food safety tasks, not just explain them.

For nationally recognised food safety units (including SITXFSA005, SITXFSA006 and SIRRFSA001), students must demonstrate real-world skills such as:

• correct handwashing and hygiene practices

• safe food handling and preparation

• contamination prevention

• cleaning and sanitising procedures

• correct use of food safety equipment (e.g. thermometers)

Under Australia’s VET framework, assessors must observe these tasks being performed to confirm competency.

In face-to-face training, this happens in person.
In online training, this observation is completed using video evidence recorded in a real or suitable food preparation environment.

Performance evidence protects the validity of your certificate, ensures assessment authenticity, and confirms that skills are practical — not assumed.

👉 This is why reputable RTOs do not just rely on quizzes, self-declarations, or supervisor sign-offs alone.

ASQA requires direct observation to ensure that food safety assessments are valid, authentic, and reliable.

Food safety is a practical skill, not just theoretical knowledge. To meet national training standards, assessors must be able to confirm that a student can correctly perform required tasks — not just describe them or claim they can do them.

Direct observation allows an assessor to verify that:

• the student is performing the tasks themselves

• food safety procedures are followed correctly

• hygiene, workflow, and contamination controls are applied in real conditions

• assessment evidence meets ASQA’s Rules of Evidence

In face-to-face training, observation happens in person.
In online training, observation happens via recorded video evidence filmed in a real or suitable food preparation area.

Without direct observation, assessments may fail to meet national requirements — placing the validity of the qualification at risk.

👉 This is why compliant RTOs require observation-based assessment, regardless of delivery mode.

Online food safety courses require video evidence so assessors can directly observe your practical skills, just as they would in a face-to-face class.

Nationally recognised food safety units require students to demonstrate performance evidence in a real or suitable food preparation environment. In online training, video evidence replaces in-person observation — it is not an extra requirement, and it is not optional.

Video evidence allows assessors to verify that you can:

• wash and dry hands correctly using food-safe techniques

• prevent contamination during food handling and preparation

• use equipment such as thermometers correctly

• clean and sanitise food contact surfaces

• follow safe workflow and hygiene practices

Without video evidence, an assessor cannot confirm that the tasks were performed by you, or that they were completed correctly. This would fail ASQA’s Rules of Evidence — particularly Authenticity and Validity.

👉 This is why reputable RTOs require video-based assessment for online food safety courses, and why “no video required” courses often do not meet national standards.

🔗 Why Real-World Assessment Matters in Food Safety Training (Before You Choose an Online Course)

All food safety assessment videos are reviewed by a qualified and experienced assessor who meets national regulatory requirements.

Assessors are responsible for determining competency and must ensure that all assessment evidence is:

• valid

• sufficient

• authentic

• current

When reviewing your videos, the assessor checks that:

• you are performing the tasks yourself

• food safety procedures are followed correctly

• hygiene, workflow, and contamination controls are applied

• the assessment environment is suitable

• the evidence meets national unit requirements

Friends, family members, supervisors, or employers do not determine competency and cannot approve your assessment on behalf of the RTO.

This ensures your qualification is issued based on professional judgement and is defensible under audit.

Yes. You can re-record your assessment videos if you make a mistake or are not happy with your submission.

Online assessment allows flexibility while still meeting national standards. You are encouraged to review your videos before submission to ensure:

• all required tasks are clearly demonstrated

• food safety procedures are followed correctly

• the assessment environment is suitable

• the evidence is clear and easy for the assessor to review

If any part of your submission does not fully meet the assessment requirements, your assessor will provide feedback and allow you to re-submit the relevant sections.

The goal is not to “catch you out” — it is to ensure your assessment is valid, compliant, and protects your qualification.

Most students complete their food safety assessment videos in short 1-2 minute videos.

The videos are not expected to be professionally produced or filmed in one take. Instead, they are short recordings that demonstrate specific food safety tasks, such as handwashing, food handling, cleaning, sanitising, and temperature control.

In most cases:

• individual video clips only take a few minutes each

• videos can be recorded in sections

• you can pause, re-record, and upload when ready

The total time required depends on your familiarity with the tasks and the availability of a suitable food preparation environment, but the process is designed to be practical, flexible, and achievable.

Clear instructions are provided so you know exactly what needs to be demonstrated, helping you complete the assessment efficiently.

It’s completely normal to feel unsure about recording assessment videos — many students feel the same way at first.

The videos are not about presentation or confidence on camera. They are simply a way for the assessor to observe you completing required food safety tasks, just as they would in a face-to-face course.

Your videos:

• do not need to be professionally filmed

• do not need to show your face the entire time, just at the beginning so we can indenify its you

• can be recorded in short sections

• can be paused and re-recorded as needed

Clear instructions and examples are provided so you know exactly what is required. If you’re unsure, support is available to guide you through the process.

Recording video evidence allows you to complete your assessment at your own pace, while still ensuring your qualification is valid, compliant, and recognised.

One of the rules we need to meet in order to provide nationally recognised certificates and qualifications, is that students are required to be observed completing practical job tasks, relevant to the certificate that they are completing. To make it easy on you, rather than request you to come into a classroom or for specific tasks to be completed at work, captured on video and uploaded (which is sometimes hard to do in the workplace because of privacy laws), we have developed a unique, 100% online Third Party Observation Report. This simple online checklist can be sent from directly within your course to whoever you choose.

All you need to do is supply a name and email address of someone who is/have been working alongside who is in the position to make valid comments on your performance, with no more for you to do. The person you nominate should have at least 12 months experience in food service and preparation, or be a supervisor/team leader/manager of a food establishment. They do not need to hold a food safety qualification themselves to complete the report.

If you are not currently working in the industry and you do not have access to an operational commercial kitchen, you might consider volunteering for some shifts in your local area at a cafe, bar, restaurant deli etc to complete this third party observation component. Alternatively, if you have worked in a food business previously, then you may want to consider contacting your previous employer or a suitable work colleague who can complete the report based on their past observations.

No, sorry, but under current government regulations the Workplace Observation step must be demonstrated in an operational food preparation or service environment, that being an industry workplace or industry-realistic simulated environment. This does not include a home kitchen.

If you are not currently working in the industry and you do not have access to an operational commercial kitchen, you might consider volunteering for some shifts in your local area at a cafe, bar, restaurant deli etc to complete this workplace observation component. Alternatively, if you have worked in a food business previously, then you may want to consider contacting your previous employer or a suitable work colleague who can complete the report based on their past observations.

No. Food safety assessments cannot be completed in a domestic home kitchen.

Nationally recognised food safety units require students to demonstrate practical skills in a real or suitable operational food preparation environment that reflects workplace conditions. A domestic kitchen does not meet these requirements.

For assessment to be valid, the environment must allow assessors to observe:

• correct handwashing facilities appropriate for food service

• separation of raw and ready-to-eat foods

• contamination control and hygienic workflow

• correct use of commercial food safety equipment

• cleaning and sanitising procedures in a food service context

Home kitchens typically lack the facilities, layout, and controls needed to demonstrate these skills to the required standard.

Suitable environments may include:

• cafés, restaurants, or commercial kitchens

• food-based workplaces

• community or training kitchens

• other approved food preparation areas that reflect real workplace conditions

If assessment is completed in an unsuitable environment, the evidence may be considered invalid, placing the certificate — and the student — at risk.

🔗 Why Food Safety Assessments Must Be Completed in a Real or Suitable Food Preparation Area

Yes. You do not need to be currently employed in the food industry to complete your food safety assessment.

If you’re not working in a food business, you can complete your assessment in a suitable food preparation environment that reflects real workplace conditions. This may include:

• a commercial or shared kitchen

• a community or charity kitchen

• an institutional kitchen (such as a school or aged care facility)

• an approved training or simulated kitchen

The key requirement is that the environment allows you to safely demonstrate all required food safety tasks, including correct handwashing, food handling, contamination control, cleaning, sanitising, and equipment use.

AIA will guide you on what is acceptable before you record your assessment videos, so you can complete your training without needing current employment in the industry.

🔗 Why Food Safety Assessments Must Be Completed in a Real or Suitable Food Preparation Area

Yes. Online food safety training is recognised exactly the same as face-to-face training — provided the assessment meets national requirements.

Under Australia’s VET framework, the delivery mode does not affect recognition. What matters is that the student has been assessed against:

• the correct units of competency

• valid performance evidence

• national assessment conditions

• ASQA’s Rules of Evidence

When these requirements are met, the resulting Statement of Attainment is nationally recognised and accepted by employers, councils, and food authorities.

Issues only arise when assessment shortcuts are taken — such as removing observation or relying solely on quizzes or declarations.

This is why AIA delivers online training that mirrors the assessment integrity of face-to-face courses, ensuring your qualification remains credible, compliant, and accepted.

🔗 Online vs Face-to-Face Food Safety Training: What’s the Actual Difference in Assessment?

No.

The assessment standard is exactly the same.

Australia’s nationally recognised food safety units require all students — whether training online or face-to-face — to demonstrate the same performance evidence under the same assessment rules.

The only difference is how the assessor observes you.

Face-to-face training

• Assessor watches you perform tasks in person

• Observation happens in real time

Online training

• Assessor watches you perform the same tasks via video evidence

• Observation happens through recorded demonstrations

In both cases, assessors must confirm that you can:

• apply correct hygiene and handwashing practices

• handle and prepare food safely

• prevent contamination

• clean and sanitise correctly

• use food safety equipment properly

Online training is not a reduced or simplified version of food safety assessment.
It offers flexibility — not lower standards.

If an online course appears “easier”, it usually means assessment requirements are being skipped — which can put the validity of your certificate at risk.

🔗 Online vs Face-to-Face Food Safety Training: What’s the Actual Difference in Assessment?

Some RTOs choose not to require video evidence because it can make the assessment process faster or easier to administer.

However, removing observation-based assessment does not change national training requirements.

Food safety units require assessors to confirm that students can demonstrate practical skills, and this confirmation must meet ASQA’s Rules of Evidence — particularly Authenticity and Validity.

When video evidence is not required, assessments often rely on:

• quizzes or written responses only

• self-declarations

• supervisor or third-party sign-offs

These methods may feel convenient, but they do not provide the assessor with direct evidence that the student performed the tasks correctly.

This is why qualifications issued without proper observation may be questioned during audits or workplace checks.

AIA requires video evidence to ensure assessment is compliant and to protect the long-term validity of your certificate.

🔗 Thinking of Choosing an RTO That Doesn’t Require Video Evidence? Here’s What You Need to Know

No. A supervisor or third-party sign-off cannot replace assessor observation for nationally recognised food safety training.

Under Australia’s VET assessment requirements, competency decisions must be made by a qualified assessor and supported by evidence that meets ASQA’s Rules of Evidence.

While third-party reports are sometimes used as supplementary evidence, they are not sufficient on their own because they do not allow the assessor to:

• directly observe the student performing the tasks

• confirm authenticity of the work

• verify that procedures were carried out correctly

• ensure assessment conditions were met

For online training, direct observation is achieved through video evidence, allowing the assessor to make an informed and defensible competency decision.

Relying solely on supervisor sign-offs, checklists, or declarations may result in assessment that does not meet national standards — placing the validity of the qualification at risk.

This is why AIA does not issue certificates based solely on third-party confirmation.

When an RTO is audited by ASQA, the regulator reviews whether training and assessment have been delivered in line with national standards.

This includes checking that:

• assessment evidence meets the Rules of Evidence

• performance evidence has been properly observed

• assessors are qualified and authorised

• certificates have only been issued where competency is proven

If an RTO’s assessments are found to be non-compliant, ASQA may require corrective action. In serious cases, this can include re-assessment of students, cancellation of qualifications, or regulatory sanctions against the RTO.

Students are generally only affected when assessment shortcuts have been taken — such as issuing certificates without valid or observed evidence.

This is why AIA follows strict assessment processes and requires authentic performance evidence, so qualifications remain defensible and secure, even if the RTO is audited in the future.

In rare cases, Yes — if the assessment was not completed in line with national requirements.

Australia’s regulator (ASQA) can take action against RTOs if assessments are found to be non-compliant. This has included requiring re-assessment or cancelling qualifications that were issued without valid evidence.

This typically occurs when assessment:

• was not properly observed

• relied only on quizzes or declarations

• used third-party sign-offs instead of assessor judgement

• did not collect authentic performance evidence

When an RTO follows correct assessment processes, students are not at risk.

This is why AIA requires direct observation through video evidence and qualified assessor review — to protect the long-term validity of your certificate and ensure it remains defensible during audits or workplace checks.

🔗 Thinking of Choosing an RTO That Doesn’t Require Video Evidence? Here’s What You Need to Know

Yes — when the certificate is issued by a compliant Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and the assessment meets national standards.

Employers, councils, and food authorities expect food safety certificates to be based on valid and properly observed assessment, including demonstrated performance evidence.

When assessment is completed correctly, your certificate can be used for:

• workplace onboarding

• council or food authority inspections

• Food Safety Supervisor requirements

• regulatory compliance checks

Issues typically arise not because a course was online, but because the assessment was not conducted in line with national requirements.

This is why AIA requires authentic performance evidence and assessor observation — to ensure your qualification is defensible, audit-ready, and accepted when it matters.

🔗 Why Real-World Assessment Matters in Food Safety Training (Before You Choose an Online Course)

If you cancel after purchasing but before starting any assessments, you may be eligible for a refund minus a non-refundable $15 administration fee.

This fee covers enrolment setup, system access, and administrative processing.

No.
Once you have commenced any assessment activity, including quizzes, uploads, or video submissions, refunds are not available.

This is because assessment activity triggers compliance, assessment marking, and record-keeping obligations under national VET standards.

Assessment activity includes (but is not limited to):

• opening or attempting assessment questions

• uploading documents or videos

• submitting any part of an assessment

• assessor review or feedback commencing

Once assessment activity begins, the course is considered in progress and non-refundable.

No.
Assessment outcomes (including a “not yet competent” result) do not make a student eligible for a refund.

Support, feedback, and reassessment opportunities are provided in line with AIA’s assessment policy.

Not having access to a suitable food preparation area does not automatically make a student eligible for a refund.

A suitable assessment environment is a core requirement of nationally recognised food safety training and is outlined before enrolment so students can decide whether the course is appropriate for them.

If a student enrols and later discovers they do not have access to a suitable environment, this is generally considered a change of circumstances, not a fault with the course.

Before assessment begins, students are encouraged to explore alternative options such as:

• shared or commercial kitchens

• community or charity kitchens

• institutional kitchens (e.g. schools, aged care facilities)

• approved training or simulated kitchens

Once assessment activities have commenced, refunds are generally not available, as assessor time and compliance obligations have already been incurred.

If you are unsure about your assessment environment before starting, we strongly recommend contacting our support team so we can guide you before assessment begins.

🔗 Why Food Safety Assessments Must Be Completed in a Real or Suitable Food Preparation Area

Choosing not to complete required assessment tasks — including recording assessment videos — does not automatically make a student eligible for a refund.

Video evidence is a mandatory assessment requirement for nationally recognised online food safety training. It is clearly outlined in course information so students can make an informed decision before enrolling.

If a student decides after enrolment that they do not wish to complete the required assessment activities, this is considered a change of mind, not a course fault.

Once assessment has commenced, refunds are generally not available, as assessor time and compliance processes have already been allocated.

We encourage students to review assessment requirements carefully before enrolling and to contact our support team if they have questions about suitability prior to starting assessment.

🔗 Thinking of Choosing an RTO That Doesn’t Require Video Evidence? Here’s What You Need to Know
🔗 What Is Performance Evidence in Food Safety Training (And Why It Protects Your Certificate)

Yes. Students must be at least 14 years of age to enrol in nationally accredited food safety courses with AIA.

By enrolling, students confirm they are capable of completing assessments independently and can safely participate in food preparation activities, including practical assessments.

Enrolment by a student who does not meet the minimum age requirement does not entitle the student to a refund.

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If you enrol in the wrong AIA course and we offer the correct one, we may transfer you to the correct course provided assessments have not started. Refunds are not issued where a transfer option is available.

If AIA does not offer the required course or units, a refund may be approved less a $15 administration fee, provided no assessments have commenced.