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Who this Licence suits?
Before you apply
- make sure your vehicles meet the required standards
- make sure the premises where your vehicles are based meets the required standards
- have a documented food safety program
- check whether you need additional approval to transport milk for raw milk cheese production
- make sure you have the skills to manage food safety in your business.
Licence requirements
To operate a dairy carrier business in Victoria, you must be licensed by Safe Food Victoria under the Dairy Act 2000.
Dairy carrier licence holders must comply with the conditions of their licence.You must also comply with relevant requirements under the Food Act 1984 and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Read the Victorian dairy licence handbook for more information about operating under a dairy licence: [TBC - add Victorian dairy licence handbook link]Vehicles and vehicle base premises
Your business and vehicles must meet the relevant requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.The premises where your vehicles are based must also comply with relevant legislation.Read the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
Food safety program
You must have a documented food safety program.Your food safety program must explain how you control potential food safety hazards.
It must include the control measures and procedures you use when collecting and transporting dairy food.
Read the dairy collection and transport requirements
Transporting milk for raw milk cheese production
If you intend to collect and transport milk for raw milk cheese production, you must meet additional requirements under Standard 4.2.4.These requirements must be addressed in a documented and validated food safety program.
Safe Food Victoria must approve this food safety program.
Read the raw milk cheese transport requirements and checklist: [TBC - add raw milk cheese transport requirements link]
Skills and competency
You must have the skills and competency to manage food safety in your dairy carrier business.
Related legislation and standards
Dairy Act 2000: [TBC - add authoritative Dairy Act 2000 link]Who must apply
The licence must be held by the person or legal entity responsible for operating the dairy carrier business.This is the person or legal entity responsible for the safety of dairy food handled by the business.
The applicant must be a legal entity, such as:- an individual
- a registered partnership
- a company
- a trustee and trust
Submit your application
To apply, download and complete the dairy carrier licence application form.You must send your completed form, payment and food safety program to Safe Food Victoria.Download the dairy carrier licence application form: [TBC - add dairy carrier licence application PDF link]Email your completed application to: [TBC - confirm SFV application email]
Before you start operating
You must not start operating until Safe Food Victoria has issued your licence.Operating without a licence may result in enforcement action.
Application assessment timeframes
Safe Food Victoria will assess your dairy carrier licence application after receiving a complete application.A complete application includes:- the completed application form
- the application fee
- a documented food safety program.
Safe Food Victoria will contact you within 7 business days after receiving a complete application.Safe Food Victoria aims to process complete applications within 30 business days.
Providing additional information
After you submit your application, you may have 14 days to provide any outstanding information.If you do not provide the required information within 14 days, Safe Food Victoria may:
- refuse your application
- refund the application fee.
Food safety program changes
Safe Food Victoria may ask you to update your food safety program.If this happens, you must provide the updated food safety program within 30 days.If you do not respond within 30 days, Safe Food Victoria may:- refuse your application
- keep the application fee.
Delays and application cancellations
Your application may be delayed if it does not meet regulatory requirements.Safe Food Victoria may cancel your application 3 months after the application date if the application cannot progress, unless an extension is approved.
If your application is refused or cancelled:- Safe Food Victoria will notify you
- you will need to submit a new application
- Safe Food Victoria will not issue a refund
Application and licence fees
You must pay the application fee when you submit a new dairy carrier licence application.Dairy carrier licence fees are paid annually.Fees apply for the licence period from 1 January to 31 December.
Check the current fee before you apply.
View dairy licence fees: [TBC - add SFV fees page link]Guidance
Safe Food Victoria provides guidance to help dairy carriers understand their food safety responsibilities.Guidance may include information about:- dairy carrier licensing
- dairy collection and transport requirements
- vehicle requirements
- vehicle base premises requirements
- food safety programs
- raw milk cheese transport requirements.
Read the dairy carrier food safety guidance: [TBC - add dairy carrier food safety guidance link]
Technical advice
Safe Food Victoria can provide advice about dairy carrier licensing and food safety requirements.
Contact Safe Food Victoria if you need help before applying.
Email: [TBC - confirm SFV contact email]
Phone: [TBC - confirm SFV phone number]
Other information and resources
Other regulatory and technical resources are available on this site.
View guidance and resources: [TBC - add SFV guidance and resources page link]
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