Your legal obligations
Under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Standard 3.2.2 — Food Safety Practices and General Requirements) and the NSW Food Act 2003, all food businesses must take all practicable measures to prevent pests entering food premises and to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests. This is not a suggestion — it's a legal requirement enforced by local council environmental health officers and the NSW Food Authority.
Failure to manage pests can result in improvement notices, prohibition orders, fines, prosecution and — in serious cases — closure of the business. It's also one of the most common reasons for poor food safety audit results.
What the standards require
- Prevent pests from entering the premises — seal gaps, install flyscreens, use strip curtains and self-closing doors
- Eradicate any existing pest infestation — engage a licensed pest controller for treatment
- Prevent pests from harbouring — eliminate clutter, seal cracks and crevices, maintain clean storage areas
- Protect food from contamination — store food in sealed containers, keep food covered, maintain clean food preparation surfaces
- Maintain records — document pest control treatments, inspections and corrective actions
What an auditor looks for
During a food safety audit or council inspection, environmental health officers look for evidence of pest activity and pest management. Having a documented pest management program demonstrates due diligence and significantly reduces audit risk.
- Current pest control service records and treatment certificates
- Bait station and trap placement maps
- Trend reports showing pest activity over time
- Evidence of corrective action when pest activity is detected
- No visible signs of pest activity — droppings, egg cases, live or dead pests, gnawed packaging
- Sealed entry points and intact flyscreens
Building a compliant pest management program
A compliant commercial pest management program includes scheduled service visits (frequency depends on risk level — typically monthly for restaurants, quarterly for lower-risk premises), detailed service reports, bait station and trap maps, trend analysis, and rapid response to any pest sightings. Universal Pest Control provides compliance-focused commercial programs with documentation designed for food safety auditors and council inspectors.
Don't wait for an audit failure or council inspection to get your pest management in order. A documented, proactive program is cheaper than a single prohibition order — and it protects your reputation, your customers and your business.