This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required for those who work in operational roles, under supervision, in a food processing environment. At this level, workers have the technical skills to use a limited range of machinery and/or equipment to process food and carry out routine tasks guided by established procedures.
Users should note there are specialist components that cover the processing of meat in the AMP Meat Processing Training Package, and specialist components that cover the processing of seafood in the SFI Seafood Industry Training Package.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, in accordance with state/territory food safety, and health and safety codes, regulations and legislation that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
1 year - Qualification only:
6 months – 1 year
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply food safety procedures | Core |
| Follow procedures to maintain good manufacturing practice in food processing | Core |
| Participate in work health and safety processes | Core |
| Provide and apply workplace information | Core |
| Advise on products and services | Elective |
| Apply hydro-cooling processes to fresh produce | Elective |
| Apply quality systems and procedures | Elective |
| Apply sampling procedures | Elective |
| Apply work procedures to maintain integrity of processed product | Elective |
| Balance and secure point-of-sale terminal | Elective |
| Carry out manual handling tasks | Elective |
| Clean and sanitise equipment | Elective |
| Clean equipment in place | Elective |
| Communicate workplace information | Elective |
| Conduct chemical wash for fresh produce | Elective |
| Conduct routine maintenance | Elective |
| Fill and close product in cans | Elective |
| Follow electronic labelling and traceability systems in a food processing establishment | Elective |
| Follow work procedures to maintain food safety | Elective |
| Follow work procedures to maintain quality | Elective |
| Freeze and thaw dough | Elective |
| Identify and respond to security risks | Elective |
| Identify key stages and beer production equipment in a brewery | Elective |
| Identify safe work practices | Elective |
| Inspect and sort materials and product | Elective |
| Maintain food safety when loading, unloading and transporting food | Elective |
| Monitor process operation | Elective |
| Operate a baking process | Elective |
| Operate a beverage packaging process | Elective |
| Operate a blending, sieving and bagging process | Elective |
| Operate a bulk dry goods transfer process | Elective |
| Operate a case packing process | Elective |
| Operate a chocolate tempering process | Elective |
| Operate a continuous freezing process | Elective |
| Operate a cooling and hardening process | Elective |
| Operate a depositing process | Elective |
| Operate a fill and seal process | Elective |
| Operate a forklift | Elective |
| Operate a freezing process | Elective |
| Operate a frying process | Elective |
| Operate a grinding process | Elective |
| Operate a holding and storage process | Elective |
| Operate a mixing or blending and cooking process | Elective |
| Operate a mixing or blending process | Elective |
| Operate a packaging process | Elective |
| Operate a process control interface | Elective |
| Operate a production process | Elective |
| Operate a waste water treatment system | Elective |
| Operate an automated cutting process | Elective |
| Operate an enrobing process | Elective |
| Operate automated washing equipment | Elective |
| Operate basic equipment | Elective |
| Operate egg grading and packing floor equipment | Elective |
| Operate pumping equipment | Elective |
| Pack or unpack product manually | Elective |
| Participate effectively in a workplace environment | Elective |
| Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Participate in familiar spoken interactions at work | Elective |
| Participate in wild harvesting of native plants for food processing | Elective |
| Participate in work teams and groups | Elective |
| Perform basic tests | Elective |
| Perform standard tests on cane samples | Elective |
| Prepare basic mixes | Elective |
| Produce visual merchandise displays | Elective |
| Read and respond to simple and familiar workplace procedures | Elective |
| Take and record basic measurements | Elective |
| Undertake root cause analysis | Elective |
| Use business software applications | Elective |
| Use digital technology for short and basic workplace tasks | Elective |
| Use familiar and simple data for work | Elective |
| Use familiar and simple metric measurements for work | Elective |
| Use numerical applications in the workplace | Elective |
| Use simple strategies for work-related learning | Elective |
| Work effectively in the food processing industry | Elective |
| Work in a clean room environment | Elective |
| Work in a freezer storage area | Elective |
| Work in a socially diverse environment | Elective |
| Work on an egg grading floor | Elective |
| Work with temperature controlled stock | Elective |
| Write routine workplace texts | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate II in Food Processing sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Sales Assistant (General)
ANZSCO 621111
Assist customers to purchase goods or services and in a retail or wholesale environment.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Chemical Production Machine Operator
ANZSCO 711911
Chemical Production Machine Operators operate machines to produce chemical goods such as soaps, detergents, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and explosives.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Confectionery Maker
ANZSCO 831113
Confectionery Makers operate machines and perform routine tasks to make and wrap confectionery.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Dairy Products Maker
ANZSCO 831114
Dairy Products Makers operate machines and perform routine tasks to make and package milk, milk powder, yoghurt, butter, cheese and other dairy products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Fruit and Vegetable Factory Worker
ANZSCO 831115
Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to prepare canned and frozen fruit and vegetables, and make and package sauces, jams and juices.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Grain Mill Worker
ANZSCO 831116
Grain Mill Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to mix, mill and treat grains and by-products, to make flour, meal, and stockfeed.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Other Food and Drink Factory Worker
ANZSCO 831199
Other Food and Drink Factory Workers includes jobs like Coffee Roaster, Egg Factory Worker, Ice-cream Maker, Margarine Maker, and Pasta Maker.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Seafood Process Worker
ANZSCO 831313
Seafood Process Workers scale, clean, fillet, cut, shell, grade and package fish and shellfish.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate II in Food Processing
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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FS Alliance (RTO code 30814)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Strategix Training (RTO code 31418)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Australian College of Training (RTO code 51269)
Contact this provider
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Australian Training Plus (RTO code 91434)
Contact this provider
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Calibre Training & Development Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Calibre Unit Trust (RTO code 32394)
Contact this provider
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Global Academy Australia (RTO code 45386)
Contact this provider
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National Food Institute (RTO code 3821)
Contact this provider
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Pivotal Education (RTO code 90272)
Contact this provider
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Precision Training Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 91808)
Contact this provider
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Skilled Care (RTO code 31942)
Contact this provider
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Training and Quality Management Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 6051)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.