There are four classes of food premises, class 1, class 2, class 3 and class 4. The classification system means that regulatory requirements are better matched to the level of risk associated with the food handling activities at different types of premises. Class 1 has the highest and class 4 the lowest level of legal requirements. In summary, the classes are:
Class 1
Food premises are those that predominantly handle hazardous food that is served to vulnerable people in:
- Hospitals
- Child care centres providing long day care
- Aged care facilities
Class 2
Food premises are those that handle unpackaged potentially hazardous foods which need correct temperature control during the food handling process – including cooking and storage – to keep them safe. This premises type includes:
- Restaurants and cafés
- Fast food outlets
- Pubs/hotels
- Caterers
- Delicatessens
- Supermarkets with delicatessens
- Most manufacturers
Class 3
Food premises are those whose main activities involve the sale of foods not commonly associated with food poisoning. This includes the supply or handling of unpackaged low risk foods, or the sale of pre-packaged hazardous foods which need refrigeration to keep them safe. Premises expected to fall into class 3 include:
- Fruit stalls selling cut fruit
- Wholesalers distributing pre-packaged foods
- Most milk bars, convenience stores and coffee bars
Class 4
Food premises are those whose food handling activities pose low risk to public health. They include the following:
- Premises which sell shelf-stable pre-packaged foods such as confectionary – newsagents, pharmacies and video stores
- Bottle shops
- Premises which sell uncut fruit and vegetables such as farmers markets and greengrocers
- Shops and stalls selling packaged cakes (excluding cream cakes), bottled jams or honey.
- Seasonal kindergartens serving low risk food and cut fruit
- Stalls running simple sausage sizzles, where the sausages are cooked and served immediately – Can include onions, sauce and bread. Does not include hamburgers or other high risk foods
Class 4 businesses are required to complete and submit a Notification of Fixed Class 4 Food Premises(PDF, 59KB) form(PDF, 59KB).