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Platinum Signs

Commercial Kitchen & Food Service Signage

Food-safety signage in Australia is driven by FSANZ Standards 3.2.2 and 3.2.2A, enforced by local council Environmental Health Officers. A tidy signage set signals a well-run kitchen.

Last reviewed:

Practical shortlist — general guidance only. Tick the signs that apply to your site. Every workplace is different — scale to your actual hazards and obligations. For the underlying regulatory detail, follow the compliance-guide links beside each section.

This checklist is targeted at Category 1 food businesses (cafes, restaurants, catering, takeaways). Tick the signs you need, then configure materials — most food-service signs are polypropylene or laminated vinyl for easy cleaning.

Regulatory context
  • FSANZ Standard 3.2.2 — Food Safety Practices and General Requirements
  • FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A — Food Safety Management Tools (staged rollout since Dec 2023)
  • FSANZ Standard 3.2.3 — Food Premises and Equipment
  • State food Acts + local council enforcement
  • AS 1319 visual format for workplace hygiene signs

The checklist (25 items across 5 areas)

Progress0 / 25

1Handwashing & personal hygiene

2Temperature control

3Cleaning & sanitising

4Allergen management

5Kitchen safety & PPE

Frequently asked questions

Will an EHO fail my inspection for missing signs?

Environmental Health Officers don't have a fixed signage checklist, but the handwashing, temperature-control, cleaning and allergen signs are the ones most commonly raised as gaps. A visibly well-signed kitchen signals to the EHO that the food safety system is taken seriously, and inspections tend to move faster.

Do I need signs in multiple languages?

There's no specific language requirement, but if a significant portion of your food handlers doesn't read English fluently, pictogram-led signage plus multilingual procedure posters are strongly recommended. FSANZ resources are available in several community languages via state health departments.

What material holds up in a kitchen?

Laminated vinyl (flexible, wipe-clean) for wall-mounted posters, polypropylene for mandatory signs, and stainless steel for permanent fixtures near heat. Avoid porous or uncoated materials — they absorb grease and can't be sanitised.

Related compliance guides

Need help choosing?

We’ve supplied signage for event promoters, logistics warehouses, builders, restaurants, farms, offices, schools, clinics, strata managers and retailers. Send us your checklist shortlist and we’ll quote a complete pack — material, sizes and delivery.

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This checklist is general operational guidance to help Australian businesses plan their safety signage. It is not legal advice, does not replace a site-specific risk assessment, and does not substitute for guidance from your state/territory WHS regulator, building certifier, environmental health officer, or other competent authority. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, site type and the specific activity being carried out.