business.gov.au

Seafood Processor Licence - Victoria

Description

You will require this licence if you intend to run a business that processes seafood for human consumption. There are two categories of licences:

  • seafood processor
  • seafood further processor.

Both licences authorise a business to sell seafood it has processed by wholesale or retail.

A seafood processor is authorised to undertake the following processing activities:

  • fillet
  • shuck
  • head
  • gut
  • skin
  • pack
  • chill or freeze
  • store.

A seafood further processor is authorised to undertake the following processing activities:

  • canning
  • cooking
  • drying
  • smoking
  • curing
  • adding processing ingredients.

Separate licensing requirements are in place for fishing, harvesting and handling of seafood, and for general food business retailers who may sell cooked fish (e.g. takeaway shops, cafes, etc).

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for this licence you must:

  • put in place a quality assurance program (food safety plan) including the following components: Organisational Chart, Cleaning Program, Maintenance Program, Pest Control Program, Training Program, Calibration Program, Traceability Program, Recall Program, Management Review, Internal Review, and Process control program identifying process control in place to ensure wholesome seafood and seafood products are produced
  • provide PrimeSafe with a copy of the contract, or written advice from the approved Accredited Certification Body, confirming that you have engaged the approved body to enable an audit of the Quality Assurance program
  • ensure that the facility complies with the construction requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

All vehicles used for the conveyance and transportation of seafood for human consumption are required to be licensed (except for the transportation of live seafood which must be covered under the food safety plan of the licensed seafood business).

Full exemptions may apply to operators who are currently registered as a valid food business under dairy, meat industry or food legislation and who have a seafood quality assurance or food safety program in place.

Ongoing eligibility requirements

You must abide by current industry codes of practice and any conditions placed on the operation of the licence such as compliance with a food safety program. The agency must be advised in writing if any of the following changes are made to a business:

  • the licensed operator of the facility changes, or the facility ceases to operate or changes ownership
  • an administrator, receiver or liquidator is appointed.

Duration

One year

Expiry

Licences expire on 31 December each year

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

Fees range between $499 and $4989 based on annual throughput. Fees for 2024-25
Apply Licence All

Fees range between $998 and $9977 based on annual throughput. Fees for 2024-25

Forms

Act(s) name

Seafood Safety Act 2003 Victoria

Application process

Apply

Lodge your application and accompanying documentation directly with the Agency. Following receipt of your application, a PrimeSafe licensing manager will contact you to make arrangements to inspect the facility.

Approval time

Allow 10 days for your application to be processed.

Administering agency

PrimeSafe

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.