PrimeSafe eNews Edition 24

In this edition, we cover:

• Electronic Delivery of Licence Certificates
• Changes to Provision of PrimeSafe Food Safety Programs
• PrimeSafe Licensee Survey
• Charges laid for operating an unlicensed seafood business
• Licensee Renewal Notifications

Electronic Delivery of Licence Certificates.

PrimeSafe is excited to announce the pilot of electronic delivery for facility license certificates. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint, this pilot program will test the feasibility of emailing license certificates directly to our facility licensees.

This initiative is designed to improve service delivery by ensuring faster access to license certificates while reducing reliance on postal mail. During the pilot, selected licensees will receive their current certificates via email, allowing PrimeSafe to assess the effectiveness of electronic distribution.

This new delivery method will only apply to facility licenses such as processing plants and other stationary licensed operations. Meat Transport Vehicles (MTVs) and game harvest vehicles will not be included in this or any future rollout, as they require a physical label to be affixed to the vehicle.

PrimeSafe has implemented security measures to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of electronically delivered license certificates. Licensees participating in the pilot will have the opportunity to provide feedback through a short survey, helping us refine the process before a broader rollout.

If the pilot is successful, electronic delivery will be introduced for the June renewal period for facility licenses only.

For more information about the pilot program, please contact our office at info@primesafe.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9685 7333. We look forward to hearing your feedback as we work towards modernising our licensing services.

Changes to Provision of PrimeSafe Food Safety Programs.

PrimeSafe has now ceased provided tailored Food Safety Programs. Our Fee for Service function has also now ceased.

In due course, PrimeSafe will make our three retail Food Safety Program versions freely available and downloadable from our website for universal use. Programs will be made available for the following business types:

1. Retail Meat Premises;
2. Smallgoods Retail Meat Premises; and
3. Retail Seafood Premises.

These programs will need to be amended by each business to be made site-specific to cover each of the products manufactured and processes undertaken at each facility. It will be the responsibility of the licensee to ensure that their program complies with the requirements of the applicable standard, and they should seek assistance from a consultant or another food safety expert if they require help to edit the program to ensure they are meeting their licensing requirements.

Free Food Safety Program booklets will continue to be provided to Game Harvest Vehicle operators with their licence each year.

PrimeSafe Licensee Survey

PrimeSafe has now completed its Licensee Survey which commenced in November 2024 and ended in February 2025. We are now finalising the survey report with our third-party provider WhereTo Research.

We would like to thank you all for your participation and support with the survey. Your insights are invaluable in enhancing our role as a State Regulator for meat, seafood and pet meat. With your input, we will continue to improve our regulatory compliance and strengthen our service to you.

Charges laid for operating an unlicensed seafood business

Charges have been laid against two people for allegedly operating a seafood business without holding a current and valid seafood safety licence.

PrimeSafe alleges that the couple, from Dandenong, transported and stored seafood sold for human consumption without being licensed under the Seafood Safety Act 2003.

The Seafood Safety Act requires that all sectors of the seafood supply chain – including those who supply and transport seafood for human consumption – manage food safety risks in accordance with the relevant standards.

Licence Renewal Notifications

PrimeSafe uses an online licensee portal for all renewal submissions. Renewal notices are not mailed out unless you are not registered for the portal. We will send a bulk email and SMS notification when the portal opens for renewals—typically late April for Meat Transport Vehicles (MTVs) and late May for all other licence categories expiring in June.

To remain licensed by PrimeSafe and operate after 30 June 2025, licensees must complete and submit the online renewal form and pay the renewal fee through the portal.

Please note that inspections for Meat Transport Vehicles (MTVs) are no longer required.

Licensees can pay via BPAY or credit card through the online portal. Cheques and money orders are acceptable if mailing a paper form.

For detailed instructions on how to renew your licence, please visit our website: PrimeSafe Licensee Portal. Here, you will find step-by-step guidance on using the PrimeSafe Licensee Portal.

Licence categories due for renewal by 30 June:

• Meat Transport Vehicle (MTV)
• Abattoir
• Further Meat Processing Facility
• Prime Tallow Processing Facility
• Game Meat Processing Facility
• Inedible Rendering Facility
• Pet Meat Processing Facility
• Pet Food Establishment
• Poultry Processing Facility
• Wildcatch
• Aquaculture
• Game Meat Field Harvester

Important:
If you fail to renew your licence by the due date, you may have to pay an application fee on top of the annual renewal fee. Significant penalties can apply if you operate without a licence, as these fines are set by law.

Licence periods
Each licence has a ‘licence period,’ which you must renew before its end date. For Meat and Poultry licences, the licence period is from 1 July – 30 June. Check our website to see the specific licence period for your licence category.

For any enquiries, or if you have not received your renewal notification by early June, please contact the PrimeSafe office via info@primesafe.vic.gov.au or at 03 9685 7333.

Information and Support Services (I&SS)

The Manager of Information and Support Services, Dr Amita Bernardi has decided to leave PrimeSafe when her contract ends on 30 April 2025. Amita has been with PrimeSafe for 11 years and was responsible for food safety and the day-to-day technical function of PrimeSafe. The I&SS Department was created in 2014 to improve communications with licensees and fulfill the technical expertise required in the PrimeSafe team. The role captured improved processes for incoming queries, PrimeSafe’s third party auditing program and communication with licensees and other PrimeSafe stakeholders.

Some of the communication strategies Amita used included publication of Technical Guidelines (PrimeNotes), factsheets and eNews. A few of the Technical Guidelines developed by PrimeSafe has been accessed worldwide and has now become the industry norm. Amita understood that information sharing was a pivotal component of food safety therefore free PrimeSafe forums were delivered to improve awareness about unsafe food and non-compliance to Standards. She also participated in reviews of Standards and National Guidelines including the Australian Standards for Meat and Pet Meat and the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Microbiological Compendium. Amita also serviced industry needs by issuing free food safety programs to retailers of Meat and Seafood and reviewed alternative processes, equipment and construction to ensure safe production of food. Most of the critical functions of I&SS has been transferred to the Compliance and Enforcement Department.

“FOOD AIN’T GOOD IF IT AIN’T SAFE”

Dr. Amita Bernardi

/

Information and Support Services

Goodbye

Amita

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