Non-profit organisations
What is a non-profit organisation?
A non-profit organisation distributes all of the money raised to a charitable, cultural, educational, political, social welfare, sporting or recreational purpose and does not provide a benefit for any individual member or person.
A person may work for a non-profit organisation and recover any personal costs or costs of fundraising. No individual person undertaking the activity should receive any personal benefit, gain or profit.
Any organisation that wishes to publicly raise funds for a charitable or a community purpose in Queensland is also governed by the Collections Act 1966.
Requirements for non-profit organisations
Non-profit organisations have some exemptions from licencing under the Food Act 2006 (the Act) for certain activities. However, non-profit organisations have an obligation to comply with all other provisions of the Act so that food provided is safe and suitable for human consumption.
Despite some exemptions, non-profit organisations have an obligation to ensure that all persons undertaking food handling operations have appropriate skills and knowledge required to produce safe and suitable food. This means that the food handler has the ability to perform those tasks that are necessary to ensure the safety of the food being handled. The non-profit organisation is exempt from this requirement if the food sold is not potentially hazardous (e.g. biscuits, cakes without cream, jams) or the food is consumed immediately after thorough cooking (e.g. sausage on bread).
Guideline for non-profit organisations
Queensland Health have produced a document on-profit organisations supplying food as a fundraising activity with guidance on the requirements under the Act. Information contained in this document includes an overview of exemptions under the Act, food safety requirements, activities that have an exemption from licensing and activities that need a licence.
For non-profit organisation activities that do not require a food licence, see the pocketbook guide to assist non-profit groups to comply with the food safety requirements for a fundraising event.
To find out if your non-profit activity needs a licence or to get personalised food safety advice, speak to your local council.