Global Community

With changes in my employment circumstances in 2024 and trying to decide what am I going to do to earn a living, based on my experience in the Food Industry over many years, I set about obtaining those qualifications needed to be a Food Safety Auditor.

My thoughts were, getting qualified and then register as an Independent Food Safety Auditor with the New South Wales Food Authority.

I find out that a prerequisite of the NSWFA application process is one must have the Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology.

So, here I am now, a fully qualified Lead Food Safety Auditor, on course to complete my FBP40421-01V01 Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology, with three units left to complete, hopefully early June, (I have discovered TAFE will not be rushed!)

I have tried with not much success to gain work as an auditor with various certification bodies to no avail.

So now, as I near the end of my course I am considering, contacting these companies again offering my services and asking if it possible to carry out witness or observation audits to experience their processes and procedures, with confidentiality and professionalism.

Do you think I am going about this the correct way?

Any comments or advice will be greatly received.

Bernard O'Hagan

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[Bernard] [O'Hagan]
[Lead Food Safety Auditor]
[BK HACCP Consulting
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Hello Bernard, Congratulations on nearly completing your formal studies, that is definitely a strong step forward.  In addition to regulatory audit opportunities, there are a range of Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked schemes that are regularly audited by Certification bodies.  Each Certification Body will have their own requirements for skills, qualifications and experience.  It can be a challenge to get the experience needed when starting out, I hope there are members of the community that might have insights on your questions. 

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Wendy Edwards
Director Product & Quality Assurance
Exemplar Global
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2026 07:47 PM
From: Bernard O'Hagan
Subject: Trying to get work

With changes in my employment circumstances in 2024 and trying to decide what am I going to do to earn a living, based on my experience in the Food Industry over many years, I set about obtaining those qualifications needed to be a Food Safety Auditor.

My thoughts were, getting qualified and then register as an Independent Food Safety Auditor with the New South Wales Food Authority.

I find out that a prerequisite of the NSWFA application process is one must have the Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology.

So, here I am now, a fully qualified Lead Food Safety Auditor, on course to complete my FBP40421-01V01 Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology, with three units left to complete, hopefully early June, (I have discovered TAFE will not be rushed!)

I have tried with not much success to gain work as an auditor with various certification bodies to no avail.

So now, as I near the end of my course I am considering, contacting these companies again offering my services and asking if it possible to carry out witness or observation audits to experience their processes and procedures, with confidentiality and professionalism.

Do you think I am going about this the correct way?

Any comments or advice will be greatly received.

Bernard O'Hagan

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[Bernard] [O'Hagan]
[Lead Food Safety Auditor]
[BK HACCP Consulting
------------------------------