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 reflects the role of workers who work in supervisory or middle management roles within food processing environments. Workers contribute specialist technical skills and knowledge to solve food production problems and supervise the work of others. Emphasis is on monitoring the implementation and quality control of food processing systems and procedures for optimal performance.
Legislative and regulatory requirements apply to food safety and are enforced through state/territory jurisdictions. Users must check with the relevant regulatory authority before delivery.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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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.
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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:
2 years - Qualification only:
6 months – 2 years
- 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 business risk management processes | Core |
| Communicate effectively as a workplace leader | Core |
| Control food contamination and spoilage | Core |
| Describe and analyse data using mathematical principles | Core |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs | Core |
| Supervise and maintain a food safety plan | Core |
| Undertake project work | Core |
| Analyse and present research information | Elective |
| Apply an understanding of food additives | Elective |
| Apply an understanding of legal requirements of food production | Elective |
| Apply basic process engineering principles to food processing | Elective |
| Apply digital technology in food processing | Elective |
| Apply food processing technologies | Elective |
| Apply principles of food packaging | Elective |
| Apply principles of statistical process control | Elective |
| Apply water management principles to the food industry | Elective |
| Assess compliance with food safety programs | Elective |
| Assist in implementing a proactive maintenance strategy | Elective |
| Carry out sampling and testing of milk at receival | Elective |
| Conduct a traceability exercise | Elective |
| Conduct induction process | Elective |
| Construct a process control chart for a food processing operation | Elective |
| Control mill processes and performance | Elective |
| Demonstrate leadership in the workplace | Elective |
| Determine handling processes for perishable food items | Elective |
| Diagnose production equipment problems | Elective |
| Document food processes and supporting procedures | Elective |
| Establish operational requirements for a food processing enterprise | Elective |
| Establish process capability | Elective |
| Facilitate and improve implementation of 5S | Elective |
| Facilitate breakthrough improvements | Elective |
| Facilitate holistic culture improvement in an organisation | Elective |
| Identify and implement required process control for a food processing operation | Elective |
| Implement and review manufacturing of cereal products | Elective |
| Implement and review manufacturing, packaging and testing of beverage products | Elective |
| Implement and review the manufacturing and processing of edible fats and oils | Elective |
| Implement and review the preparation of milk for processing | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of aerated confectioneries | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of chilled or frozen poultry products | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of chocolate | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of chocolate and sugar-panned products | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of confectionery products | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of cooked poultry products | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of egg based products | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of fish and seafood products | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs and spices | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of high and low boil confectionery | Elective |
| Implement and review the processing of market milk and related products | Elective |
| Implement and review the production of chocolate products | Elective |
| Implement and review the production of concentrated and dried dairy products | Elective |
| Implement and review the production of fermented dairy products and dairy desserts | Elective |
| Implement and review the production of gums and jellies | Elective |
| Implement and review the production of ice creams and frozen dairy products | Elective |
| Implement and review the production of milk and related products by the membrane system | Elective |
| Implement and review the production of milk fat products | Elective |
| Lead effective workplace relationships | Elective |
| Lead flour milling shift operations | Elective |
| Maintain and calibrate instruments and equipment | Elective |
| Manage a work area within budget | Elective |
| Manage internal audits | Elective |
| Manage people in the work area | Elective |
| Manage supplier agreements and contracts | Elective |
| Manage water treatment processes | Elective |
| Monitor refrigeration and air conditioning systems in food processing | Elective |
| Optimise a work process | Elective |
| Participate in improvement processes | Elective |
| Participate in product recalls | Elective |
| Perform an allergen risk review | Elective |
| Plan and coordinate production equipment maintenance | Elective |
| Provide accurate food allergen information to consumers | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Roster staff | Elective |
| Schedule and manage production | Elective |
| Supervise and verify supporting programs for food safety | Elective |
| Support and mentor individuals and groups | Elective |
| Support proactive maintenance | Elective |
| Undertake proactive maintenance analyses | Elective |
| Use structured problem-solving tools | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Food Processing sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Manufacturing Production Manager
ANZSCO 133512
Manufacturing Production Managers manage the manufacturing activities of organisations.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Food Technologist
ANZSCO 234212
Food Technologists develop new and improve existing food products, and set standards for producing, packaging and marketing food.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
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 -
Other Packer
ANZSCO 832199
Other Packers includes jobs like Biscuit Packer, Bread Packer, Cheese Packer, and Egg Packer.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate IV 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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DYNAMIC LEARNING SERVICES (RTO code 40467)
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
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.