Apply to be a Third Party Auditor

Apply to be a TPA

To become an approved Regulatory Food Safety Auditor in NSW, you need to:

1. meet the auditor eligibility requirements
2. submit an application
3. pay the $880 (non-refundable) application fee
4. complete the required training
5. pass a witness audit.

Full auditor requirements are detailed in the Regulatory food safety auditor manual (PDF, 335 KB).

Required skills and qualifications

To be a general auditor, applicants must:

1. have completed the following units of competency:  
   • FBPAUD4001 - Assess compliance with food safety programs
   • FBPAUD4002 - Communicate and negotiate to conduct food safety audits
   • FBPAUD4003 - Conduct food safety audits
   • FBPAUD4004 - Identify, evaluate and control food safety hazards
2. hold a Certificate IV Food Science and Technology (FBP40421) or higher, or related field, including a minimum of 40 hours of food microbiology
3. participate in the required online and practical Food Authority training and assessment  
4. complete a verification audit observed by a Food Authority Food Authority authorised officer.

High risk auditors

To be recognised for auditing in high-risk food production, auditors must complete all pre-requisite requirements for general auditors, plus the following high-risk scopes:

• FBPAUD5002 - Audit a cook chill process
• FBPAUD5003 - Audit a heat treatment process
• FBPAUD5004 - Audit manufacturing of ready-to-eat meat products
• FBPAUD5001 - Audit bivalve mollusc growing and harvesting processes

Auditors may apply to a registered training organisation (RTO) that offers the units of competence above to receive recognition of prior learning (RPL). As the Food Authority is not a RTO, we are unable to offer RPL.

RTOs that offer the units of competence and tertiary qualifications for both general auditors and the high risk scopes can be found at www.jobsandskills.gov.au.

Auditors approved in another state may apply under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 but will still need to be trained and assessed by the Food Authority under the requirements of the NSW Food Act 2003.

How to apply

Auditors who meet the above requirements can apply online using the Apply for or renew a food safety auditor (TPA approval) form.

Supporting documents

You will need to provide with your application:

• professional indemnity insurance of at least $5,000,000
• public liability insurance of at least $5,000,000
• academic transcripts
• resume
• a photograph of yourself
• 100 points of identification.

Once all requirements have been satisfactorily completed, successful applicants will receive written approval from the Food Authority.  

Auditor training

After their application has been processed, prospective regulatory food safety auditors must complete online and face-to-face training with the Food Authority. The cost of auditor training is covered by the TPA application fee.  

Online modules cover key legislative and audit requirements and are self-paced. Access details will be provided once the application has been processed.

Face-to-face session

A one-day session will also be delivered in Newington, NSW, covering:

• auditing skills and knowledge
• NSW Food Act 2003 and NSW Food Regulation 2025 requirements
• use of NSW Food Authority audit systems
• a written assessment.

Face-to-face training is conducted as needed, after successful applications have been processed.

Trainees will need to bring:

• a compatible device (e.g. tablet or iPad)
• printed or digital copies of:
  • NSW Food Act 2003
  • NSW Food Regulation 2025
  • Regulatory Food Safety Auditor Manual  
  • Standard 3.2.1 of the Food Standards Code
  • Standard 3.2.2 of the Food Standards Code
  • Standard 3.2.3 of the Food Standards Code

Auditors must prove that they have copies of the legislation and industry guides they will be auditing against before approval is granted. The Food Authority will not provide printed documents for training.

If auditors attend the training without the appropriate materials, it will be deemed that they have not yet passed the training component of the application process.

Witness audit

After completing the online modules and face-to-face session, auditors must complete a witness audit at a licensed food business, observed by Food Authority authorised officer.

Auditors should find a suitable facility to audit. The Food Authority can assist if needed.  

Approved auditors

Once auditors are approved, they are required to:

• produce their identification card from the Food Authority on demand
• use a standard Food Authority checklist to conduct audits
• only audit facilities approved by the Food Authority to use the regulatory food safety auditor system.

Duties of auditors

Regulatory food safety auditors have the duties of a food safety auditor as described in s94 Food Act 2003, but do not have the powers of an authorised officer under the Act.

The food safety auditor must advise the food business they intend to audit of any relationship the auditor, an auditor’s family member or associate may have with a direct competitor.

A food safety auditor has a duty to:

• carry out audits of food safety programs required by the regulations
• carry out follow-up action, including further audits, to determine whether action has been taken to remedy any deficiencies identified in an audit
• carry out assessments of food businesses to ascertain their compliance with requirements of food safety standards
• report in accordance with s95 Food Act 2003.

All regulatory food safety auditors approved by the Food Authority must comply with the Regulatory Food Safety Auditor Code of Conduct (PDF, 299 KB).

Reporting duties

Auditors must report audit results to the Food Authority within 21 days however, serious breaches must be reported immediately. Examples of serious breaches could be where:

• audit results are unacceptable
• an imminent or serious risk to the safety of food intended for sale exists
• an issue that will cause significant unsuitability of food intended for sale exists
• there is no food safety program on site
• monitoring records are not up to date
• product testing results are missing
• failed product tests have not been reported to the Authority
• there are hygiene issues relating to product contact surfaces for ready-to-eat foods
• maintenance issues are affecting product
• there is an infestation of pests
• the audit cannot be performed or completed
• abuse, intimidation, obstruction or anything else happens that may restrict the ability of the auditor to perform the audit.

Auditors must leave a copy of the audit report at the food business and ensure the business is aware of the findings that will be sent to the Food Authority.