Renew your licence

You must renew your dairy industry licence before the end of each licence period if you intend to continue operating.

You must not commence or conduct business as a dairy farmer, dairy manufacturer, dairy food carrier or dairy distributor unless Safe Food Victoria has issued a current and valid dairy industry licence for that business or has granted an exemption. Operating without a current and valid licence or exemption is a criminal offence.

Renewal requirements and timeframes vary depending on your licence type.

Renewal dates

Before you renew

Renewal requirements depend on your licence category and whether your licence fees are paid directly by you or by another party, such as a manufacturer for some dairy farmer licences.

For dairy manufacturers, dairy distributors and dairy food carriers, Safe Food Victoria will issue a renewal application form. You must complete the form accurately and fully, return it before the licence expiry date and pay the licence fee by the due date.

For non-Milk Volume Reporting dairy farmers, you must complete the renewal process and pay any licence fee owing by the due date.

For Milk Volume Reporting dairy farmers where a manufacturer pays fees on behalf of the farmer, renewal is considered against the requirements for that licence. This includes whether the farm has met its licence conditions, including a regulatory audit in the prior licence period, is still milking and has confirmed that it wishes to continue to hold a licence. Any outstanding corrective actions or other compliance matters may also need to be addressed where they relate to the licence conditions.

When a licence is renewed

Once the renewal requirements have been met and any required invoice has been paid, Safe Food Victoria will issue a new licence certificate for the next licence period.

In some circumstances, Safe Food Victoria may renew a dairy industry licence for a period of up to 6 months to enable the licence holder to comply with relevant requirements or licence conditions. If this occurs, Safe Food Victoria will advise the licence holder in writing of their obligations.

If you do not renew

If you do not complete the required renewal process or pay the licence fee owing by the due date, your licence will expire.

If your licence expires, you must not continue operating the licensed business unless and until you hold a current and valid dairy industry licence or an exemption applies. Operating without a current and valid licence or exemption is a criminal offence and may result in enforcement action.

Safe Food Victoria will advise licence holders in writing before expiry where a renewal application has not been made. Safe Food Victoria will also send written confirmation after the expiry date if the licence has expired.

Eligibility and Safe Food Victoria powers

Safe Food Victoria may consider whether a licence holder continues to meet the requirements for holding a dairy industry licence. This may include whether the licence holder is carrying on the licensed business, has met applicable requirements under the relevant legislation and has complied with licence conditions.

If Safe Food Victoria believes a licence holder is no longer carrying on the licensed business, or another relevant ground applies, Safe Food Victoria may commence a cancellation process in accordance with the Dairy and Food Innovation Act 2000. This includes writing to the licence holder, explaining the proposed grounds and giving the licence holder an opportunity to reply before a decision is made.

For Milk Volume Reporting dairy farmers that have not supplied milk for six months, Safe Food Victoria undertakes a periodic review during the two-year licence period. Safe Food Victoria will write to the licence holder to advise that it proposes to cancel the licence because it does not think the licence holder is carrying on business, and will give the licence holder an opportunity to reply before making a decision.

Licence periods

Meat and Poultry licence periods

Seafood Processing Facility licence periods

Meat and Seafood Transport Vehicle (MTV) licence periods

Approvals and Registrations periods