Who needs to be accredited?
The type of accreditation you need depends on what activities you do with your eggs and where you supply them. Different activities and supply arrangements fall into different accreditation categories, as set out in the Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014
Producing eggs
The category of Producing is for those farms or businesses that only manage their own eggs or supply eggs to multiple processing facilities. If you conduct activities related to eggs such as collection, cleaning, candling, grading, packing or storing with the intent to sell or supply them for human consumption, then you require an accreditation with Safe Food Production Queensland (Safe Food).
Processing eggs
The category of Processing is for those farms or businesses that manage eggs from another farm or site or conduct further processing such as pasteurisation or cooking. If you happen to also conduct activities in the Producer section (above) on the same site, this would be captured under the single Processor accreditation (e.g. you will not require separate Producer and Processor accreditations). Refer to the Safe Food’s Egg Processing webpage for more information.
Producing – Preferred Supplier Arrangement
If you intend to supply eggs to only one processing facility for grading and packing, then you may become accredited under a Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA). Under a PSA, you are not required to pay fees to Safe Food as long as you have a signed agreement with the processing facility.
Before You Apply
For your application to be processed in a timely manner, ensure you have all the necessary documents and information. The next section includes a list of what you will need to prepare and submit your application. We recommend you read all the requirements before starting your application as you may require additional approvals from other departments (e.g. local council, Property Identification Code, Registered Biosecurity Entity).
You should have all infrastructure built (sheds, caravans, grading facility etc.) and birds close to point of lay. However, under the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000, it is unlawful to supply eggs until you have been granted an accreditation by Safe Food (note that supply also includes giving away).
⏰Estimated time to complete your application: 1.5 hours
Please note you can save and return to your form at any time and do not need to complete the entire application in one session.
Processing Eggs in an Approved Facility
As an Egg Producer or Processor, the storage, cleaning, candling, grading or packing of eggs must be done in an approved facility that meets the requirements of:
How to apply?
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Application form
Complete the Application Form and select Producing (egg scheme) as your activity on page two. If you are applying for accreditation under a PSA, you will also select this option.
Note: If you want to complete this form on your mobile or desktop, please download and save it first.
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Approval from local council
You must provide written confirmation from your local council that you are permitted to undertake your proposed activities at the site from which you intend to operate.
Attach the approval notice along with the application form and email applications@safefood.qld.gov.au
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Payment of fees
Safe Food will email you an Application Notice with applicable fees and payment options.
- Fees and payment details can be viewed within the Application form.
- Applications will only be assessed once payment is received.
- New applications will incur a one-time application fee that is non-refundable.*
- Our accreditation period runs from 1 January to 31 December. To maintain your accreditation, you’ll need to renew and pay the annual accreditation fee by 31 December each year. ** For more information, please refer to our fees & charges.
*If you are applying under a PSA, ignore the total fees payable. PSA accreditations are issued at no charge.
**Our fees are not pro-rata.
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Management Statement or Food Safety Program
Once you have paid, you will receive an email with instructions how to access our Client Portal to complete the Management Statement form. A Management Statement provides information about how your business operates and what processes you have in place to ensure the acceptable production of eggs.
An example of information you will need to provide includes:
- Bird vaccination status
- Egg cleaning method (washing vs dry wiping)
- Water source, treatment method and microbiological testing results (bird drinking water and facility if different sources)
- Unique ID applied to each egg (including stamp and use of food grade ink). You can check our egg register to see if an ID has been previous used.
- Biosecurity controls (site security, visitor access, personnel and equipment hygiene, bird health).
- Inputs (who supplies your birds, feed, packaging etc).
- Vendor Declarations or Certificate of Analysis for your inputs.
- Pest control (how to prevent pests and wildlife that could be a source of disease).
- Waste management (dead birds, unacceptable eggs, litter, manure etc)
- You can save the form and return to it later before submitting.
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Property Identification Code (PIC) and Registered Biosecurity Entity (RBE)
You must provide your PIC and RBE codes issued by Biosecurity Queensland when prompted in the form. More information is available here.
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Biosecurity Map
You must submit a biosecurity map for each site that you are applying for accreditation. This will help identify the biosecurity strengths and weaknesses of your property. Instructions on what to include, along with an example of a biosecurity map, are available here.
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Floor Plan
A layout of the grading / processing areas (including location of handwash stations, processing equipment, coldrooms and storage).
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Photos
- Bird housing (sheds, caravans) including location of feed and water.
- Egg grading / processing area.
- Egg grading / processing equipment.
- Egg candling equipment.
- Handwash stations in the grading / processing area.
- Coldrooms.
- Dry storage areas.
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Signed PSA-Processor Agreement (PSA applicants only)
An agreement signed by yourself and an accredited Egg Processor.
After You Submit
We’ll be busy assessing your application! Our aim is to assess all applications within 14 days, although applications submitted in their entirety (with all the items outlined above) are likely to be processed faster.
If we require anything further, or if you are required to amend your Management Statement, we will send you an email, so keep an eye on your inbox.
If we do not hear from you within 14 days of request for information, your application may be refused and you will need to start again. The application fee is non-refundable and you will be required to pay this again if you need to reapply.
Application Decision
You will be notified of the outcome of your application via email.
If approved, your Accreditation Certificate will be attached with the notice of approval. You can also access this Certificate at any time using Safe Food’s Client Portal. You are now ready to supply eggs!
If your application is unsuccessful, you will be provided with the reason for refusal. Please know that we will do our best to support you in submitting a complete and sufficient application.
Standards & Guidelines
Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014
Food Production (Safety) Act 2000
Food Standards Code (Primary Production and Processing Standard for Eggs and Egg Products) Standard 4.2.5
Food Standards Code (Food Premises and Equipment) Standard 3.2.3.
Safe Food Guideline for Egg Cleaning Procedures
National Farm Biosecurity Manual – Poultry Production
National Water Biosecurity – Poultry Production
Salmonella Enteritidis Prevention Plan – Standard Operating Procedures for Egg Farms
Safe Food Notifications Protocol
Useful Websites & Resources
If you have more questions for our applications team, please contact them:
📞 Phone: 1800 300 815 (freecall within Queensland)
+61 (07) 3253 9800 (outside Queensland)
📧 Email: applications@safefood.qld.gov.au
📠 Fax: +61 (07) 3253 9810
📬 Mail: PO Box 221, Greenslopes QLD 4120