Licensing

PrimeSafe licences are valid for a fixed licence period, regardless of the date of issue.

Licence periods are listed in the table on this page. It is important that you renew your licence by the due date each year to ensure that your licence remains current and you do not operate unlicensed.

Any licensee who fails to renew their licence by the due date may be required to pay an application fee in addition to the annual renewal fee.

The Meat Industry Act 1993 and Seafood Safety Act 2003 both include a licence requirement to operate a facility, business or vehicle and significant penalties may apply to those who operate without a licence.

How do I renew my licence?

1. Fill out the renewal form in the PrimeSafe Licensee Portal by following the instructions in the How to use the Licensee Portal link below; or
2. Download the application form, print, scan and email it to info@primesafe.vic.gov.au; or
3. Fill in the form at the PrimeSafe office.

Meat & Poultry licence periods

Licence category	Licence period
Abattoir Further Meat Processing Facility Prime Tallow Processing Facility Game Meat Processing Facility Inedible Rendering Facility Pet Meat Processing Facility Pet Food Establishment Poultry Processing Facility	1 July – 30 June
Retail Butcher Shop	1 January – 31 December

Seafood Processing Facility licence periods

Licence category	Licence period
Wildcatch Aquaculture	1 July – 30 June
Wholesaler Processor Further Processor Retailer Retailer (Vehicle/Boat)	1 January – 31 December

Meat and Seafood Transport Vehicle licence periods

Licence category	Licence period
Meat Transport Vehicle	1 July – 30 June

MTV vehicle inspections

Unless your vehicle has been inspected since 1 September of the previous year, the vehicle must be inspected to ensure continued compliance with the construction requirements of the relevant standard.

You can present your vehicle for an inspection using one of the options below:

• PrimeSafe inspection points (Location details and a timetable will be attached to your renewal application);
• Third party auditor (An inspection fee may apply). Click here for a list of third party auditors; 

Records maintained in a PrimeSafe food safety program booklet or an alternate food safety program must be presented for review at the time of inspection.

PrimeSafe does not need to review records that are maintained within the food safety program of a PrimeSafe licensed facility at the time of inspection. However, written advice must be presented confirming that the vehicle operates under a quality assurance arrangement at that facility.

An inspection of your vehicle will not be conducted unless food safety program records or written advice confirming that the vehicle operates under a quality assurance arrangement at a PrimeSafe licensed facility is presented at the time of inspection.

MTV fleets

Businesses that operate a fleet have the option to present 10 per cent of their meat transport vehicles for inspection. A minimum of five meat transport vehicles must be presented for inspection. Where a meat transport vehicle does not comply with the construction requirements of the relevant standard, all vehicles in the fleet must be presented for an inspection.

Note: New meat transport vehicles can not be included in the minimum amount of vehicles presented for an inspection.  

Brochure

PrimeSafe have produced a brochure on meat transport vehicle applications and renewals in English, Chinese Simplified, Vietnamese and Arabic.

• PrimeSafe Meat Transport Vehicles (English)
• PrimeSafe Meat Transport Vehicles (Chinese Simplified)
• PrimeSafe Meat Transport Vehicles (Vietnamese)
• PrimeSafe Meat Transport Vehicles (Arabic)

Approvals and Registrations periods

Approval / Registration category	Period
Game Meat Field Harvester Approval	1 July – 30 June
Meat Inspector Registration	1 July – 30 June (3 years)