Safe Food Victoria
The Victorian Government is streamlining food safety regulation by establishing a new, independent regulator – Safe Food Victoria – to deliver food safety regulation more efficiently.
The Victorian Government’s Economic Growth Statement committed to halving the number of business regulators across the state by 2030 to make it simpler and easier to do business in Victoria. Food safety regulators have been identified as a priority within this broader initiative.
Food safety regulation in Victoria is currently delivered by Dairy Food Safety Victoria (DFSV), PrimeSafe, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (through Agriculture Victoria), the Department of Health (through the Health Regulator), and 79 local government authorities.
These regulators deliver a framework under 4 separate pieces of legislation, all developed at different times over the past 30 years. This includes the Food Act 1984, Meat Industry Act 1993, Seafood Safety Act 2003 and the Dairy Act 2000.
Reform will consolidate these food safety regulators and the legislative framework they operate under. This new system will continue to deliver high standards and robust regulation, but with simpler processes and greater consistency and opportunity for collaboration across supply chains from paddock to plate.
Subject to the passage of legislation, Safe Food Victoria will be operational by mid-2026.
Reform stages
Stage 1: Establishment of Safe Food Victoria
In the first stage of reform, a new, independent regulator – Safe Food Victoria – will be established, consolidating PrimeSafe, DFSV and food safety functions from the Health Regulator and Agriculture Victoria. The intention is for Safe Food Victoria to be operational by mid-2026, reporting to the Minister for Agriculture.
Stage 2: Development of a new framework for food safety in Victoria
The second stage of reform will develop a new, modernised regulatory framework for food safety and further consolidate functions in Safe Food Victoria. During this stage, the optimal role for local government within this system will be considered.
This stage of reform will streamline regulatory processes and reduce red tape, ensuring greater consistency and enhanced collaboration across the supply chain – from paddock to plate. Safe Food Victoria will uphold the current high standards of regulation while introducing simpler, more unified systems. This process is in early stages and will continue through to 2027.
Making it easier to do business in Victoria
Reform to food safety regulation is an important part of the ongoing work in pursuit of the Victorian Government’s vision to stimulate innovation and investment, and reduce the regulatory burden. It will enable government and business to build a strong economy and future.
You can find more information about the ways the Victorian Government is making it simpler and easier to do business in Victoria in the Economic Growth Statement.
Consultation to date
Thank you to everyone who let us know their views about the future of food safety. All of the feedback and views of stakeholders have been considered and have informed the development of the reforms.
Learn more about Safe Food Victoria and other planned changes to food safety regulation at Engage Victoria.
Legislation
The Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Ros Spence, introduced the Safe Food Victoria Bill 2026 on 4 March 2026.
Legislation will:
- establish Safe Food Victoria and to provide for it to perform functions in regulating the Victorian food industry
- abolish Dairy Food Safety Victoria and PrimeSafe
- make consequential and related amendments to the Dairy Act 2000, the Food Act 1984, the Meat Industry Act 1993, the Seafood Safety Act 2003 and certain other Acts.