Food business inspections
We run a risk/performance-based food shop inspection program in conjunction with the NSW Food Authority. Food business owners are entitled to ask an inspecting officer for formal identification.
All food businesses are given a risk rating of high, medium or low, and must pay an inspection fee - see Council's fees and charges.
Risk rating is determined by the type of food being handled, how the business processes and prepares food, the size of the business and the types of customers served (such as babies or young children).
The risk rating is then used to determine the frequency of Council inspections. How a business has performed is also considered when determining inspection frequency.
Generally, businesses with excellent performance history will be inspected every 12 to 18 months. Businesses with poor performance history will be inspected every six to nine months.
A re-inspection fee is charged when a re-inspection is required.
Food businesses with excellent performance history
A business will achieve an excellent performance history when the previous two primary inspections have resulted in no breaches or only minor non-compliance. Based on the Scores on Doors program rating system, this is a 5-Star rating.
Businesses with a history of compliance are rewarded by less frequent inspections and therefore fewer inspection fees.
Businesses with poor compliance are subject to more frequent inspections.
Inspection frequencies are reviewed after each food premises inspection.
| Food business risk rating | Minimum inspection frequency |
|---|---|
| Food business risk rating: High risk poor | Minimum inspection frequency: inspected every 4 months |
| Food business risk rating: High risk average | Minimum inspection frequency: inspected every 8 months |
| Food business risk rating: High risk good | Minimum inspection frequency: inspected every 12 months |
| Food business risk rating: Medium risk poor | Minimum inspection frequency: inspected every 6 months |
| Food business risk rating: Medium risk average | Minimum inspection frequency: inspected every 12 months |
| Food business risk rating: Medium risk good | Minimum inspection frequency: inspected every 18 months |
| Food business risk rating: Low risk business | Minimum inspection frequency: incident only |
Section 608 of the Local Government Act 1993 provides that Council's in NSW may charge approved fees for various services provided, including premises inspections.
Fees are placed on public exhibition for comment. In May of each year, Council's Draft Management Plan (including proposed fees) is advertised in the local press and placed on public exhibition for 28 days. Comments or objections from the public on the proposed fees and charged are invited during that period.
Following the 28-day exhibition period, comments and objections from the public are considered and Council then adopts the fees and charges, with any changes.
The current fees and charges are detailed in the Schedule of Fees and Charges.
Failure to pay fees may result in the debt being referred to a debt collection agency and details may be forwarded to credit authorities in the event of non-payment.
