FAQs
Licensee Portal
Q. What is happening?
PrimeSafe licences have moved online. You can apply for, renew, request amendments and cancel licences in one easy-to-use portal.
The paper-based system is still available, but the online Licensee Portal is quicker and more convenient. In the Licensee Portal, you can see all of your licences in one location – making record keeping easier. You can also see your requests and applications, as well as save draft applications.
Q. How will it affect me, as a licensee?
It is quick to set up and then will make managing your PrimeSafe licence/s easier.
Q. What can I do within the Licensee Portal?
You can apply for, renew, request amendments and cancel licences within the PrimeSafe Licensee Portal. You can see all of your licences in one location, view pending applications and save drafts of applications.
Q. How can I access the Licensee Portal?
The Licensee Portal is available through any web browser at https://portal.primesafe.vic.gov.au/s/login/ You can access it on a computer, smart phone or tablet.
Q. Is there an app?
There is no mobile app, but the PrimeSafe website and Licensee Portal can be accessed on any device using your preferred internet browser.
Q. Who can manage their PrimeSafe licence/s online?
All existing PrimeSafe licensees can manage their PrimeSafe licences through the Licensee Portal.
People who want to apply for a new licence can also create an account for the Licensee Portal, and complete and submit their application through it.
Q. How do I set up an account?
Go to https://portal.primesafe.vic.gov.au/s/login/
Enter your email and name, and create a password.The password needs to be at least 13 characters long and include upper and lower case letters and at least one number and one symbol. You will then be sent an email to confirm your registration. Follow the instructions.
Q. How do I renew my licence with this new system?
To renew your licence:
- Go to https://portal.primesafe.vic.gov.au/s/login/
- Log in/set up account. If you are creating a new Licensee Portal account, you will need to connect your licence/s details to this account by requesting access
- Choose the licence you want to renew
- Check the details are accurate (about the applicant, the licence, applicant history). Fill in any missing details
- Complete the declaration
- Pay the renewal fee with a credit card or select BPAY. If you pay with BPAY, you will receive an email with payment details. PrimeSafe will only start processing your application after full payment is received
- Your renewal application is now complete. It has been submitted to PrimeSafe for processing.
See more information in the How To Guide.
Q. How long will it take for PrimeSafe to process my application or renewal?
If your application is accurate and complete, PrimeSafe will assess it within seven business days of it being submitted and payment being received.
To approve your application, your facility (or meat and seafood transport vehicle) must be fit-for-purpose and comply with the relevant standards.
You must have a food safety program that shows how you will reduce food safety risk. For most licence categories, you must have entered an agreement with a PrimeSafe approved third-party auditor for your application to be complete. This is not required for a meat transport vehicle (MTV) licence.
For a new facility application, a PrimeSafe Licensing Manager will contact you to organise an inspection before your licence is granted.
If the application is not completed accurately, or the facility or vehicle does not pass inspection, all issues must be rectified within 30 days if you want to proceed with getting a PrimeSafe licence.
Q. Do I still need to have my facility audited or my vehicle inspected if I renew my license/s through the licensee portal?
Yes. The requirements to be audited remain the same as with the paper-based system. The frequency of audits is set in line with the level of risk inherent in the product processed at the facility.
To apply for a new facility licence, you must enter into an agreement with a PrimeSafe approved auditor. This is not required for a meat transport vehicle (MTV) license.
Q. Will my existing licence details be in the Licensee Portal? And how do I link them?
If you are creating a new Licensee Portal account, you will need to connect your licence/s details to this account. To do this:
- Select ‘Request Access’ from the menu bar on the left-hand side of the screen
- Enter licensee details and contact details
- Press ‘Submit’
- PrimeSafe will review the request, verify your identify and then connect the licence details to your Licensee Portal account
Q. How can I apply for a new licence in the Licensee Portal?
Once you have set up your account, apply for a new licence:
- Go to https://portal.primesafe.vic.gov.au/s/login/
- Create an account or log in if you already have an account
- Pick the licence category that you want to apply for
- Fill in applicant details
- Fill in licence details
- Fill in applicant history
- Complete declaration
- Pay application fee with credit card or select BPAY. If you pay with BPAY, you will receive an email with payment details. PrimeSafe will only start processing your application after full payment is received
- Your application is now complete. It has been submitted to PrimeSafe for processing.
See more information in PrimeSafe - About the PrimeSafe Licenseee Portal.
Submitting an application is one step to get a new PrimeSafe licence. Other steps include completing a food safety program and undergoing an inspection and/or audit.
See the PrimeSafe Starting New Business Fact Sheet for more information.
Q. What will I need to have ready to complete my PrimeSafe licence application in the PrimeSafe Licensee Portal?
You can save a draft of your application at any time to collect any additional information required.
In summary, to submit an application you will need:
- An email address
- To have the authority to apply*
- Your name
- The business name
- ABN
- Postal address
- Contact details
- Licence details – details about the facility or vehicle
- The name of the PrimeSafe approved audit company with whom you’ve entered an agreement
- Any history of food safety or relevant health convictions
- Credit card or BPAY details
Submitting an application is one step to get a new PrimeSafe licence. Other steps include completing a food safety program and undergoing an inspection and/or audit. See the PrimeSafe Starting New Business Fact Sheet for more information.
* Specific people at a business can apply for a PrimeSafe licence. Where the applicant is a company, the contact person must be an officer of the company. Where the applicant is a partnership, the contact person must be a partner. Where the applicant is a person, the contact person must be that person.
Q. How do I amend my licence Licensee Portal?
To amend details of your licence:
- Go to https://portal.primesafe.vic.gov.au/s/login/
- Log in
- Click ‘My Licenses’ in the lefthand menu bar
- Click the licence you want to amend
- Click ‘Amend licence’
- Fill in ‘Amendment details’
- Fill in declaration
- Submit amendment
Q. How do I cancel my licence in the Licensee Portal?
- Log in at https://portal.primesafe.vic.gov.au/s/login/
- Click ‘My Licenses’ in the lefthand menu bar
- Click the licence you want to cancel
- Click ‘Cancel licence’
- Fill in ‘Cancellation details’
- Fill in declaration
- Submit cancellation
Q. Can I withdraw an application for a new licence on the Licensee Portal?
Yes. To withdraw an application:
- Click ‘My Applications’ in the lefthand menu bar
- Select the application you want to withdraw
- Click ‘Withdraw’
- You will receive an email confirming you have withdrawn your application
Q. How do I pay my licence fee?
You can pay via credit card or BPAY. Once you have completed your licence details (either reviewing them or entering them) and the declaration, click through to the ‘Payment’ page. Select your preferred payment option and follow the details.
Q. Who can apply for a licence in the Licensee Portal?
Where the applicant is a company, the contact person must be an officer of the company. This can be an authorised officer, which is someone who holds an important position and has responsibility for the operations of a company. An authorised officer can also delegate an employee to act on behalf of the company for the purposes of applying for a PrimeSafe licence.
Where the applicant is a partnership, the contact person must be a partner. Where the applicant is a person, the contact person must be that person.
Q. How do I provide access for someone else at my business (such as a quality assurance office) to manage the licence/s?
An authorised officer, which is someone who holds an important position and has responsibility for the operations of a company, can delegate an employee to act on behalf of the company for the purposes of applying for a PrimeSafe licence.
The delegated employee must create an account in the PrimeSafe Licensee Portal.
They can then log in and click the arrow besides ‘Request access to all the associated accounts’ licences’. They can fill in the form to request access to manage the licence/s.
Q. Who will have access to my licence details in this new system?
Only PrimeSafe and the people you nominate to have access will have access to you details.
PrimeSafe approved auditors can upload information about audits and compliance into the PrimeSafe Licensee Portal. This information is associated with a specific PrimeSafe licence number. But auditors cannot see other information about the licence, only PrimeSafe can.
Q.Can I make an enquiry on the Licensee Portal?
Yes. To make an enquiry:
- Click ‘Make an Enquiry’ in the lefthand menu bar
- Enter your contact details
- Enter enquiry details
- Upload attachments if relevant
- Press ‘Submit’
Q.Can I log a complaint on the Licensee Portal
Yes. To lodge a complaint:
- Click ‘Log a Complaint’ in the lefthand menu bar
- Choose whether you require a response for your complaint
- Enter your contact details
- Enter complaint details
- Upload attachments if relevant
- Press ‘Submit’
Q. How will PrimeSafe ensure my details are kept private?
PrimeSafe is committed to protecting your personal information consistent with the principles set out in the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. The only personal information held by PrimeSafe is collected from an individual solely to fulfil the Authority’s functions under the provisions of the Meat Industry Act 1993 and the Seafood Safety Act 2003.
PrimeSafe will not disclose personal information except in the event that disclosure is required to undertake a law enforcement activity of the Authority or unless legally required to do so. All personal information is usually collected from the individual although there are times when personal information may be collected from a third party and this will usually be in undertaking a law enforcement activity. For example, a complaint regarding the illegal processing of meat may include the name of the person undertaking such activity and their place of residence.
Information collected by PrimeSafe is not sold nor used for commercial marketing purposes.
PrimeSafe stores your personal information electronically or in hard copy and it endeavours to protect information from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.
The protection of personal data is a priority of every employee of PrimeSafe. All employees of PrimeSafe have a statutory duty to manage your personal information confidentially (Meat Industry Act 1993, Section 57).
For more information, view PrimeSafe’s Privacy Policy.