Food Safety First

Overview

Food Safety First is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO 41127) delivering nationally accredited Food Safety Supervisor training entirely online. The provider covers all five industry sectors recognised under Standard 3.2.2A — hospitality, retail, health and community services, food processing, and transport and distribution — making it one of the few RTOs offering sector-specific unit pathways in addition to the standard hospitality pathway.

Their course library covers multiple unit-of-competency pathways depending on industry sector, which is particularly relevant for health, aged care, and food processing businesses that operate under different unit codes than the standard hospitality pathway.

Course details

Food Safety First offers industry-specific courses using different unit codes depending on your sector:

Hospitality and Transport (most food businesses):

• SITXFSA005 — Use hygienic practices for food safety
• SITXFSA006 — Participate in safe food handling practices

Retail:

• SIRRFSA001 — Implement food safety procedures

Health and Community Services:

• HLTFSE001 — Follow basic food safety practices
• HLTFSE005 — Apply and monitor food safety requirements
• HLTFSE007 — Oversee the day-to-day implementation of food safety in the workplace (for supervisors)

Food Processing:

• FBPFSY1002 — Apply food safety and quality principles and practices
• FBPFSY2002 — Implement the food safety program and procedures

All courses are delivered online and self-paced, with a knowledge assessment at the end. On completion, Food Safety First issues a Statement of Attainment for the relevant units.

Pricing

The NSW price includes the government certificate fee charged by the NSW Food Authority. Optional add-ons include express certification and a printed display certificate.

Prices were verified from the Food Safety First website in April 2026. Confirm current pricing at foodsafetyfirst.com.au before enrolling.

Delivery and assessment

All courses are delivered fully online with 12-month access from enrolment. There is no requirement for in-person attendance or workplace assessment.

• Format: 19 interactive lessons, multiple-choice quizzes, case studies, reading activities, and an Observer Report
• Duration: Approximately 6–8 hours
• Assessment: Online knowledge assessment plus an observer report requirement
• Device requirements: Any modern browser

Note that the course includes an Observer Report component — a document completed by a workplace supervisor or other observer confirming you have demonstrated certain practices. This is not the same as a formal workplace assessment, but you will need someone (such as your employer or a colleague) to complete and sign the report. If you are self-employed, check with the provider regarding alternatives.

Accreditation and state acceptance

Food Safety First is registered under RTO number 41127 on the ASQA National Register. Their courses are accepted in all 8 states and territories.

NSW Food Authority approved: Yes. Food Safety First is approved to issue NSW Government FSS certificates, which is required for NSW-based food businesses.

Industry sectors covered

Food Safety First is one of the few providers covering all five sectors with sector-specific unit codes, which is relevant for businesses in health, community services, and food manufacturing that need specific units rather than the hospitality pathway.

• Hospitality — SITXFSA005 + SITXFSA006
• Retail — SIRRFSA001
• Health and community services — HLTFSE001 + HLTFSE005 + HLTFSE007
• Food processing — FBPFSY1002 + FBPFSY2002
• Transport and distribution — SITXFSA005 + SITXFSA006

Who this course suits

Health and aged care businesses — Food Safety First’s coverage of the HLT-coded units makes it one of the clearer choices for aged care facilities, hospitals, and disability service providers whose regulators may require the health-specific pathway.

Food manufacturing businesses — The FBP-coded food processing pathway is covered, which is not offered by all generalist FSS providers.

Businesses wanting sector clarity — If you are unsure which unit code applies to your sector, Food Safety First’s sector-specific course structure makes it easy to select the right course upfront.

Things to consider

• Observer Report requirement. The course includes a form that must be completed by a workplace observer. This is relatively straightforward for employed food handlers but requires some coordination if you are the sole operator of a small business.
• No pay-on-pass. Payment is required upfront before beginning the course.
• NSW Food Regulation 2025 — single RTO rule. From 1 September 2025, NSW students must complete both SITXFSA005 and SITXFSA006 with the same RTO. Food Safety First offers both units in their hospitality course, satisfying this requirement.

Data last verified: April 2026. Always confirm current pricing and sector-specific course availability at foodsafetyfirst.com.au before enrolling.