Dairy carrier licence guidance

Licence requirements

To operate a dairy carrier business in Victoria, you must be licensed by Safe Food Victoria.

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.

Vehicles and vehicle base premises

Your transport vehicles, equipment and containers must be suitable for collecting and transporting dairy food.

Food contact surfaces must be able to be cleaned and sanitised effectively to meet the requirements of Standard 3.2.3 and Division 3 of Standard 4.2.4.

Any premises used to store, clean or maintain vehicles must be suitable for the activities carried out there and must support safe handling, storage, cleaning and maintenance practices.

Food safety program

You must have a documented food safety program.

Your food safety program must explain how you identify and control potential food safety hazards when collecting and transporting dairy food.

It should cover:

• transport vehicles, equipment and containers
• cleaning and sanitising of food contact surfaces
• time and temperature controls
• product tracing
• staff skills, knowledge and hygiene
• procedures for preventing contamination during collection and transport.

Read Standard 4.2.4.for 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 review and approve the food safety program for this activity.

Skills and competency

People involved in collecting or transporting dairy products must have appropriate food safety and hygiene skills for their role.

Related legislation and standards

A list of the related legislation and standards can be found in Safe Food Victoria's food safety library

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
• proof of application fee payment
• a documented food safety program
• any other supporting information requested by Safe Food Victoria

An incomplete application cannot be progressed until all required information has been provided.

The licensing process for dairy carrier licence applications may take up to 30 days.

Providing additional information

Safe Food Victoria may ask you, in writing, to update your food safety program or provide more information.

If this happens, you must provide the updated information within 30 days

If you do not respond within 30 days, Safe Food Victoria:

• may refuse your application
• may not issue a refund

Delays and application outcomes

Your application may be delayed if it does not meet regulatory requirements.
If your application is not approved within 3 months of being received, Safe Food Victoria may refuse the application 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

Guidance

Safe Food Victoria provides guidance to help dairy carriers understand their food safety responsibilities.

• dairy carrier licensing
• dairy collection and transport requirements
• vehicle requirements
• vehicle base premises requirements
• food safety programs
• raw milk cheese transport requirements.

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.

Other information and resources

Other regulatory and technical resources are available on this site.

View more guidance and resources in the food safety library.