COMMUNITY GROUPS GUIDE TO FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS
“Community group” is defined Here
This guide is intended to inform
community groups of changes in the
requirements for food handling activities
for fund raising events.
In this guide:
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Food Act (1984) Changes
Community Group Definition
Classes of Food Premises
City of Ballarat Requirements
Hand Wash Set up
Equipment Requirements
Food Training
Class Requirements
Additional Information
Classes of Food Premises
Food Act 1984 Changes
Now there is a four class system.
The Victorian Food Act 1984 regulates the
sale of food for human consumption.
Recent changes to the Act have
implications for community groups
organising fund raisers that involve the
sale of food from food premises including
permanent sites, temporary premises
(market stall), sporting group kiosks or
mobile premises (food van). These
changes are designed to make it more
suitable for community group activities.
In July 2010, changes were made to the
Food Act 1984 which included changes to
the food premise classification system to a
new four class system. Class 1 based
upon the highest risk activities and most
regulatory requirements to Class 4 the
lowest risk activities and least regulatory
requirements. The level of regulation is
now matched to the degree of risk of your
food handling activities. There are fewer
requirements for holding a low risk
sausage sizzle compared to a sausage
sizzle containing hamburgers that are a
higher risk. The duration of your
community event also affects your
classification.
You are a Community group in the
City of Ballarat if:
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you raise funds solely for charity or
provide a service to the community
you are a “not for profit”
organisation
food handling activities are
performed mostly by volunteers
The Victorian Department of Health has
attempted to provide a consistent
approach to the classification process
however they acknowledge that not all
community group activities fall into a
standard classification. To assist you to
determine the class your food handling
activities fall into, refer to the Business
Classification Tool available here
Community groups may include local
sporting clubs, senior citizens,
church and school groups.
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COMMUNITY GROUPS GUIDE TO FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS
City of Ballarat Requirements
Hand Wash Setup
 water container filled with warm
potable water and with tap valve
The City of Ballarat Environment Health
Unit also recognises that community group
activities may not clearly fall into a class
using the category tool; hence your
planned activities may be discussed in
more detail with your local Environmental
Health Officer (EHO). The unit has the
capacity to clarify your activities, legal
requirements and any fee exemptions that
may apply.
 liquid soap
 waste water collection bucket
 single use disposable paper towel
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Good Hygienic Practices and a well
organised stall/premise setup are still
required for all groups participating in food
activities to ensure food from your
community group activity are safe to eat.
This means:
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Hand washing facilities and good
hand washing practices
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Preventing food contamination
from physical, chemical and
biological sources
Equipment Requirements
Physical contamination: from
materials such as pen lids, springs
from equipment, glass and pests
 hand sanitiser (optional)
Chemical contamination: from
daily use detergents and lubricants
 protective covering for food
 disposable gloves (optional)
 serving/food handling utensils
 esky and ice/refrigeration
 rubbish disposal receptacle
 apron/uniform/tea towels
Biological contamination: from
micro organisms including
bacteria, viruses and protozoa that
cause food poisoning illness such
as gastroenteritis.
 wash up bucket
 Thermometer accurate to +/- 1º C
if required for record keeping
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COMMUNITY GROUPS GUIDE TO FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS
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Food Training
Everybody that handles food, particularly
those without food handler training are
strongly encouraged to take advantage of
free Food safety training provided by the
Department of Health called “Do Food
Safely’ program available on
Keep basic records. Who made
product? Where purchased?
Download the cake stall guide and poster
here.
http://dofoodsafely.health.vic.gov.au/
Food Safety Class Requirements
Download the sausage sizzle guide and
poster here
Community groups may run any kind of
activities as long as the legislative
requirements of your Class are met. If
your activities change you must discuss
with your EHO at Ballarat City Council as
your legal responsibilities may change.
Council may inspect your premises at any
time to simply assess the safety of your
activities or in some cases to investigate a
complaint
Class 3: foods not commonly
associated with food poisoning and
pre-packaged potentially hazardous foods
A summary of the requirements for Class
4 (lowest risk activities) to Class 2 (higher
risk activities) is listed. Class 1 is not
applicable to community groups.
Class 4: low risk to public health (low
risk pre-packaged foods & basic sausage
sizzle)
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Register with Ballarat City Council
by completing “Application to
Register a Food Premises” found
here
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Fee required
Food Safety Program not required
but Minimum Records to be
maintained based on your specific
activities.
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Minimum records
Notify Ballarat City Council about
activities by completing
“Notification of a Food Premises”
found here
Fee not required
Food Safety Program not required
Food Safety Supervisor not
required
Annual inspection not required
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Sheet C for events 1 or 2
days available here
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Sheet D for events greater
than 2 days available here
Food Safety Supervisor not
required
Registration /transfer/annual
inspection required by Council
COMMUNITY GROUPS GUIDE TO FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS
Class 2: higher risk to public health
(preparation or handling of high risk
potentially hazardous food)
Potentially Hazardous Food = Food that
has to be kept at certain temperatures to
minimise microbiological growth or to
prevent the formation of toxins in the food.
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Register with Ballarat City Council
by completing “Application to
Register a Food Premises” found
here
Additional Information
City of Ballarat Environmental Health Unit
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Fee required
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Registration/transfer inspection by
council
Department of Health
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Food Safety Program required
P: 1300 364 352
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Use existing Food safety program
template: food events found here
Email foodsafety@health.vic.gov.au
P: +61 3 53205 702
E: environmentalhealth@ballarat.vic.gov.au
www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety
OR Use other suitable registered
template: audit by Department of
Health approved auditor required
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Department of Health: Victoria’s Food Act
changes. Guide to food safety regulation
for community groups: Food fundraisers
Food Safety program hotline 1300
888 498
Department of Health: Victoria’s Food Act
changes. Guide to food safety regulation
for community groups: Community food
premises classes at a glance
No Food Safety Supervisor
requirements if those handling the
food are mostly volunteers, and
food activity a maximum of two
consecutive days at one time
For further information about community
events
www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/hom
e/community.htm
For further information about Class
2 community events go to
www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafet
y/home/community.htm
For information on food safety tips use the
Better Health Channel here
Community groups with languages other
than English, are encouraged to seek
further information from The City of
Ballarat Cultural Diversity team on 5320
5180 or refer to Department of Health,
Victoria.
Remember to Follow Good Hygienic
Practices; free food safety training
available here
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