Dairy farmer licence guidance

Who this licence suits

This licence is for businesses that operate a dairy farm in Victoria.

You must hold a dairy farmer licence before you start operating, unless Safe Food Victoria confirms another arrangement applies.

Before you apply

Before applying, make sure you understand your legal responsibilities and have the right systems in place. You should:

make sure your farm, premises and equipment are suitable
have a farm quality assurance or food safety program
check whether you need additional approval for specific milk production activities
make sure you have the skills to manage food safety in your business.

You should also speak with the company you will supply milk to. They may provide quality assurance program information that supports your application.

If you are unsure which licence applies, contact Safe Food Victoria before you apply.

Licence requirements
To operate a dairy farm business in Victoria, you must be licensed by Safe Food Victoria.
Dairy farmer licence holders must comply with the conditions of their licence.
You must also comply with relevant requirements under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, including Part 3.2 and Standard 4.2.4
Farm, premises and equipment
Your farm, premises and equipment must be:
- fit for purpose
- in good repair
- able to be cleaned effectively
- able to be sanitised effectively
Your farm, premises and equipment must meet the relevant requirements of Standard 3.2.3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Read the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code: FSANZ Food standards code.
Farm quality assurance or food safety program
You must have a farm quality assurance or food safety program.

Most milk companies provide farm quality assurance program templates. These templates may meet dairy farm food safety program requirements.
If your milk company provides a suitable quality assurance program, you can adopt and implement that program.
If your milk company does not provide a suitable program, you must develop a documented food safety program.
Your food safety program must be based on HACCP principles. It must describe how you control or reduce significant food safety hazards when producing milk.
Producing milk for raw milk cheese
If you intend to produce milk for raw milk cheese, you must meet additional requirements under Standard 4.2.4.

These requirements must be addressed in your documented food safety program.
Milk not intended for human consumption
If you intend to sell, deliver or supply milk not intended for human consumption, you must get approval from Safe Food Victoria.
You must show how the milk will be treated to deter human consumption.
You must also show how the milk will be clearly separated from dairy food intended for people.
This requirement also applies if you supply raw milk to a manufacturer that is not a licensed dairy manufacturer.
Skills and competency
You must have the skills and competency to manage food safety in your dairy farm business.
Training courses may be available to help you meet these requirements.
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 farmer licence application after receiving a complete application.
A complete application includes:
- the completed application form
- the application fee
- a farm quality assurance or food safety program, where required
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 days.
Food safety program requirements
To help Safe Food Victoria assess your application, you must provide one of the following:
- a Safe Food Victoria-approved food safety program provided by the manufacturer you supply
- a food safety program that meets Safe Food Victoria requirements
New farm licence applicants may be asked to complete a self-assessment checklist.
Depending on your supply details, an authorised representative of the manufacturer you supply, such as a field officer, may complete the checklist for you.
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
- keep the application fee
Delays and application cancellations
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 farmers understand their food safety responsibilities.
Guidance may include information about:
- dairy farmer licensing
- farm food safety programs
- quality assurance programs
- raw milk cheese requirements
- milk not intended for human consumption
- farm premises and equipment requirements.
Technical advice
Safe Food Victoria can provide advice about dairy farmer 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 guidance and resources within the food safety library

Apply for a licence

How to apply for a Safe Food Victoria licence.

Fees and charges

Safe Food Victoria fees and charges for dairy, meat, poultry and seafood businesses.

Updated 30 June 2026