GENERAL INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

• Notification requirements
• Who is required to Notify?
• Who is exempt from Notification?
• How to Notify on-line?
• Printable Notification forms & how to lodge them
• Changing your Notification details
• What happens after Notification?
• Contact the NSW Food Authority
• About Notification & Food Safety Information System (NAFSIS)

National food law, Food Safety Standard 3.2.2, requires that all food businesses in NSW notify the NSW Food Authority (the Authority) of their food activity details, unless those businesses are already licensed by the Authority.  For example, those businesses that are licensed under the NSW Food Production (Meat Food Safety Scheme) Regulation 2000, Food Production (Seafood Safety Scheme) Regulation 2001 or Food Production (Dairy Food Safety Scheme) Regulation 1999 do not need to Notify under this process as well.

Notification of food businesses allows the Authority to maintain a close relationship with all businesses.  For example it means we can keep you informed and updated on changes to food legislation.

Since April 2004, new fines have been imposed for a business that have not notified the Authority of their activity.  Fines include $55 000 (maximum penalty) for single businesses and $275 000 (maximum penalty) for corporations (Section 100, NSW Food Act 2003).

Any business, enterprise or activity that involves handling of food intended for sale, or the sale of food must notify the Authority (unless exempt see below).  Regardless of whether the business, enterprise or activity concerned is of a commercial or community nature; or whether it involves the handling or sale of food on one occasion only, must by law notify the Authority.

For more information on who is required to notify please contact the NSW Food Authority.

Fundraising events, that is, events that raise funds solely for community or charitable causes and not for personal financial gain are exempt only if the food sold is not potentially hazardous or is to be consumed immediately after thorough cooking.

Potentially hazardous food means food that has to be kept at certain temperatures to minimise the growth of any pathogenic micro-organisms that may be present in the food or to prevent the formation of toxins in the food.  For example; meat and dairy products are considered potentially hazardous, so a charity or community group providing such foods in exchange for a financial gain is required to Notify.

For more information on who is exempt from notification please contact the NSW Food Authority.

Notification via this website is fast, free and provides you with and instant Notice of Confirmation.

1. On the homepage, click on the "Notify a Food Business" link.  This will take you to the first page of the form.
2. Enter your food business information (approximately 4 web pages) then select the 'SUBMIT' button.
3. After successfully entering your information a Confirmation Notice will automatically appear on your screen.  Click on the "PRINT" box and print a copy of your Notice.
4. Keep your Notice handy.  It contains important information such as your Notification Reference Number and on-line access code.  You will need both to update the NAFSIS website of any changes to your business notification

Click here for return to the homepage to begin your on-line notification.

Paper forms can be submitted to the Authority directly and incur a charge of $55.00 (GST inc.).  Paper forms can also be obtained from and lodged with most local councils.  Contact your local Environmental Health Officer for this option. 

Click here to Download Printable Notification Form for Food Business. (Acrobat PDF files)

Click here to Download Printable Notification Form for Temporary Events. (Acrobat PDF files)

Click here to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Please send your paper form attached with a cheque or money order for $55.00 (GST inc.) made out to the NSW Food Authority.  Businesses will be issued with a receipt.

Send your Food Business Notification Forms to:
                                                                    C/- Food Business Notification
                                                                    Consumer & Industry Contact Centre
                                                                    NSW Food Authority
                                                                    PO Box 6682
                                                                    Silverwater NSW 1811

It is the responsibility of the food business to keep their notified details up to date.  Notified details include changes to contact persons, contact details,  business names and locations, and the food handling processes involved.

On-line Instructions

1. On the homepage, click on the "Change Existing Notification" link.  This will take you to a login page asking for your Food Business Notification Reference number (FBRN) and on-line access code.
2. Enter your FBRN and on-line access code (numbers are indicated on your original Confirmation Notice).  Hit the "Go" link or button.  This will bring you to your original notification.
3. Navigate through your form by selecting the brown links or tabs on the top of the page.  For example, if you wish to add a new premises or change the address of the current premises, 'click' the brown tag that is labelled 'Premises'
4. Make any changes required to your information.  You must click the box "Update" link or button on the bottom of each selected page to ensure changes are saved correctly.

Click here for return to the homepage to begin your change of details on-line.

Paper Form Instructions

Paper forms may be submitted for change of business details providing the original notification was submitted using a paper form.  Businesses which notified on-line may not update notification details with a paper form.

1. Print a Notification form and tick the box "Change of Notification details" and clearly print your FBRN in the space provided
2. Clearly print changes required on form where relevant.
3. Send your updated form to:
                                           C/- Food Business Notification
                                           Consumer & Industry Contact Centre
                                           NSW Food Authority
                                           PO Box 6682
                                           Silverwater NSW 1811

Click here to Download Printable Notification Form for Food Business. (Acrobat PDF files)

Click here to Download Printable Notification Form for Temporary Events. (Acrobat PDF files)

Click here to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Once your Notification has been registered on our database, you will receive a Food Business or Temporary Event confirmation notice with your Food Business Notification Reference Number (FBRN) and online access code.  Your FBRN and online access code should be kept safe for future reference.  We may also contact businesses and temporary events by email, to update businesses on legislative changes or to provide educational material.

Food Businesses and temporary events are then subject to Risk Assessment and possible Inspection.  Food Businesses may be subject to audit/inspection at any time by the Authority or other relevant enforcement agencies.

About NAFSIS

Notification & Food Safety Information System (NAFSIS) is a system funded and maintained by the NSW Food Authority and was originally developed with the assistance of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.