Templates and forms are available for berry, leafy vegetable and melon growers and primary processors to meet new food safety requirements, which are now in effect in NSW.

From 12 February 2026, businesses need to either notify their details to the Food Authority, or apply for a Food Authority licence, and implement a range of food safety and traceability measures.

The Food Authority’s focus is on building awareness for the first 12 months. Routine compliance (inspections and audits) will not start until 12 February 2027.

Who needs to notify?

You need to notify your details to the Food Authority if your business:

• grows less than 2 hectares of berries, leafy vegetables and/or melons
• only stores berries, leafy vegetables and melons.

Notification is free, via the Food Authority’s online notification form.

Who needs a licence?

You need to apply for a Food Authority licence if your business:

• grows 2 hectares or more of berries, leafy vegetables and/or melons
• is a primary processor of berries, leafy vegetables and/or melons – that is, washes, trims, sorts, combines and/or packs produce from growers.

You can apply for a Food Authority licence via the online licence application form. All licence fees for berry, leafy vegetable and melon businesses will be waived until 12 February 2027.

Industry certification schemes

Businesses already certified to Freshcare, SQF, GlobalG.A.P or BRCGS still need to apply for a licence or notify their details and comply with the requirements, however audits will be delivered through their scheme.
Education program  

The Food Authority is developing an education program that will include resources, grower workshops, and informal farm/site visits to help businesses transition to the new requirements. To take advantage of the program, businesses will need to complete the notification or licence process as early as possible. In the meantime, small-scale growers can compare their on-farm practices with the new requirements using our anonymous online self-assessment.

Next steps

We encourage businesses to:

• read the new requirements for your business type
• assess your operation and make changes (if required)
• notify your details or apply for a licence, depending on business type.

Questions can be directed to the Food Authority helpline:

• email food.contact@dpird.nsw.gov.au
• phone 1300 552 406