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Scores on Doors is the NSW food hygiene scoring program that reassures customers about hygiene and food safety standards.
Retail food businesses in participating council areas can be awarded a certificate and sticker to display after their hygiene and food safety inspection by the local council.
Business types
Scores on Doors is for:
- restaurants
- takeaways
- cafes
- pub bistros
- bakeries
- hotels
- clubs.
These NSW food service businesses usually process and sell food that is ready-to-eat, intended for immediate consumption and potentially hazardous. This means it may require special handling to be safe, such as temperature control.
Scores on Doors is not intended for:
- supermarkets
- delicatessens or greengrocers
- low risk food premises or businesses that serve pre-packaged food, such as petrol service stations and convenience stores
- temporary markets, mobile food vending vehicles
- retail food businesses which hold a NSW Food Authority licence and are separately audited, such as butchers.
Councils award the scores (star ratings) for businesses in their area. They may have a list of businesses and scores on their council website.
Promote your good hygiene and food safety record
Every business wants satisfied customers. Displaying your food safety and hygiene score can help you see more customers walk through your door.
There are no extra inspections or costs.
Scores rate a food business's compliance with hygiene and food safety requirements based on the existing, mandatory inspections done by the local council. Scores are based on a standard assessment checklist.
In participating council areas eligible businesses will be offered a certificate and a sticker to display in a prominent, public position such as a front window or behind the counter.
Good for business
Scores on Doors can be a marketing advantage for businesses that comply with food safety legislation.
Displaying a Scores on Doors certificate and sticker can provide a point of difference from competitors.
Customers can easily see the business has qualified for a score when they visit. A business with any score on their certificate or sticker was free from critical hygiene and food safety issues at the time of the inspection.
You can also promote your score on your website and in your marketing.
No costs
Scores on Doors makes the existing inspection process that is conducted by councils more transparent. It does not involve any additional inspections and there are no additional costs to your business.
How to join
The program is open to all councils.
If your local council has opted into the program then retail businesses such as cafes, restaurants, takeaways, bakeries and clubs in the areas can participate.
Participating councils
If your council has opted in, contact the council or council inspection officer and ask to join.
- Check the list of participating councils.
Councils still to join
The NSW Food Authority encourages all councils to opt into the program.
In areas where the local council is currently not participating, you can contact the council or inspection officer and express interest.
Higher rating?
Want to get the best score you can? Every business should be able to get the top score.
1. Do a self check
Download the checklist used by the council inspection officer and see what you need to get right.
- Food Premises Assessment report (FPAR) (pdf 1MB)
2. Common issues
Make sure you have addressed the 5 most common issues found by council officers, outlined in the following factsheet:
- Scores on Doors guide for businesses (PDF, 590 KB)