As the end of year approaches, it’s time for businesses to renew their Safe Food accreditation for 2024.
Accreditations with Safe Food expire on 31 December each year. Businesses must renew their accreditation by paying their annual accreditation fee if they intend to keep operating next year.
Accreditation holders were emailed their renewal notice on 7 November 2023 to the nominated email address on their account. If you have not received your renewal notice, please contact us ASAP.
What does my accreditation fee cover?
Your annual accreditation fee not only gives you permission to operate in Queensland, but also contributes to Safe Food’s work of ensuring everyone is operating to the same national food safety standards, and that food safety risks are being adequately managed. This includes:
- responding to complaints about food businesses (e.g., hygiene concerns, food safety issues, etc.)
- working with accredited businesses that must undergo a food recall or withdrawal from the market.
- responding to emerging food safety threats that may impact Queensland’s food production sector.
- undertaking surveillance and industry engagement activities.
Learn more about the benefits of holding a Safe Food accreditation.
Can I renew online?
Yes, Safe Food’s online Client Portal allows you to manage your renewal and access information about your accreditation at any time.
In the Client Portal, you can:
- complete your renewal online – select which accreditations you wish to renew for 2024 and pay by credit card
- generate a tailored renewal notice for your Finance Team for other payment methods
- update your contact details
- download a digital copy of your 2024 certificate (once payment has been received)
- access your assessment and audit reports
- export a list of your accreditations to Excel
- give additional users access to the Portal with their own login details
Key dates to know
6 November, 2023 – renewal notices issued to all accredited businesses/individuals via email or posted to those who have not nominated an email address.
8 December, 2023 – Certificates will be dispatched before Christmas for payments received by this date.*
25 December, 2023 – 2 January, 2024 – Safe Food office is closed. If you wish to pay over the phone, please contact us before this time.
31 December 2023 – payment due for 2024 accreditation renewals.
Mid-January, 2024 – certificates will be dispatched for payments received between 9-31 December 2023**
*Funds may take up to 48 hours to reach Safe Food depending on your banking provider.
**Australia Post may be experiencing significant delays over the Christmas period. You may therefore receive your certificate later than expected.
I only became accredited a few months ago. Do I still need to renew?
Yes. An accreditation with Safe Food is valid until 31 December each year. Even if you only recently became accredited, if you have received a renewal notice, you still need to renew and pay the prescribed fee if you wish to continue operating in 2024.
I’ve already paid for my annual audit fee. Does this cover my renewal?
No, an audit fee is connected to your routine compliance obligations and is different to the annual accreditation fee. Our accreditation and audit fees are explained in this video.
What happens if I don’t renew by 31 December?
Your accreditation will expire, and you cannot undertake the accredited activity after 31 December 2023 without being in breach of the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000.
If your accreditation expires but you wish to continue operating in 2024, you will need to apply for a new accreditation. This will involve:
- an application fee of $181.90 per accreditation
- submission of all documents, photos and other evidence to support your application
- payment of the annual accreditation fee/s
- payment of an audit/report fee (charged at $340.63 per hour, billed in 15-minute increments).
It is therefore strongly recommended that you renew on time to avoid these additional costs.