This audit assessed if local government entities (LG entities) effectively regulate consumer food safety in food businesses. It focused on food business inspections, and enforcement of compliance with food safety legislation and the Standards at 2 LG entities. We did not attempt to detect non-compliance in food businesses.

In this audit we also examined how effectively the Department of Health monitors consumer food safety, inspects food businesses and enforces compliance. However, this part of the audit was put on hold due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We plan to table findings specific to the Department at a later date.

We reviewed practices for regulating food safety at 2 LG entities, including:

• food business registers containing 1,204 food businesses
• policies and procedures for regulating food businesses
• records and data on food businesses and regulatory activities
• inspection records and enforcement actions at food businesses from 2018 to 2019
• the timeliness and consistency of follow-up inspections and enforcement actions.

At each LG entity, we sampled 10 food businesses (5 high risk and 5 medium risk) from 2018 to 2019 to review risk assessments, any subsequent risk re-assessments, inspection records and any associated enforcement activities. We also accompanied an environmental health officer on a food business inspection at both LG entities.

We spoke with staff at the LG entities who deal with registration, risk assessment, inspection, education and enforcement of food businesses.

This audit did not review animal food processing premises, retail pet meat stores or businesses exempt from registration (such as newsagents selling low risk packaged foods).  

This was a performance audit, conducted under Section 18 of the Auditor General Act 2006, in accordance with Australian Standard on Assurance Engagements ASAE 3500 Performance Engagements. We complied with the independence and other ethical requirements related to assurance engagements. Performance audits focus primarily on the effective management and operations of entity programs and activities. The approximate cost of undertaking the audit and reporting was $184,000.