Answers to the questions we are asked most often about food safety audits, hotel brand standard audits and food and beverage consultancy. If your question is not covered here, get in touch and we will answer it directly.
General and process
What happens after an audit?
Following the audit, you will receive a detailed written report outlining the findings, scores, strengths and areas requiring improvement. Where corrective actions are identified, we provide clear and practical recommendations with an agreed completion timeframe. Your team can then submit supporting evidence for review, allowing Audit & Co to verify the actions and confirm closure.
Who conducts the audits and what qualifications do they hold?
All audits are conducted by qualified, certified auditors approved by Queensland Health and the Victorian and NSW Departments of Health. Our team includes professionals trained in HACCP and food science, bringing strong regulatory expertise to every assessment across Australia and the APAC region. Each auditor is experienced in evaluating service, operations and compliance across chain hotels, restaurants, aged care facilities, childcare centres, food manufacturers and other foodservice businesses.
Which industries and business types do you audit?
Audit & Co works with a wide range of businesses across the food and hospitality sectors. This includes hotels, restaurants, distributors and suppliers, childcare and aged care facilities, hospitals, and function and catering venues. Whether you operate a single site venue or a multi location brand, our audits are tailored to meet your compliance, operational and brand standard needs.
Can you manage audit programs across multiple properties?
Yes. Audit & Co can coordinate audit programs across individual venues, hotel portfolios and multi site operations throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific region. We manage audit scheduling, travel, scoring consistency, reporting and project timelines while working within the agreed scope and budget.
Hotel brand standard audits
Can you use our existing brand standards and audit platform?
Yes. We can work with your existing audit questions, brand standards, scoring methodology, reporting platform and internal systems. Alternatively, Audit & Co can develop a customised digital audit questionnaire, scoring framework and reporting format aligned with your brand promise, operational priorities and guest experience objectives.
Can audits be conducted anonymously?
Yes. Hotel brand standard and guest experience audits can be completed anonymously as a mystery guest, or conducted as an announced operational assessment. We will recommend the most appropriate approach based on the purpose and scope of the audit.
What is a hotel brand standard audit and how does it work?
A hotel brand standard audit is a discreet, third party evaluation of your service, facility and guest experience. Our certified auditors visit your venue, either anonymously or openly, to assess performance against your brand standards, regulatory requirements and Forbes Travel Guide or LQA benchmarks. The audit identifies strengths and areas for improvement, helping you deliver a consistent guest experience and protect your brand reputation.
Food safety audits
How long does a food safety audit take?
Most single site food safety audits take approximately three to six hours. The duration depends on the size and complexity of the operation, the number of food preparation areas, the processes undertaken and the quality of the records available. Large hotels, catering operations and multi outlet venues may require a full day or longer. We will confirm the expected duration before the audit.
What certifications does Audit & Co hold for food safety audits?
Audit & Co is certified by Queensland Health and the Victorian and NSW Departments of Health to conduct independent third party food safety audits under the Food Act 2006. In addition, our auditors are formally trained in food science, giving us the expertise to assess operations with both regulatory and scientific rigour.
How often should I schedule audits for compliance and brand standards?
The frequency of audits depends on your business type and local regulatory requirements. Most licensed food businesses are required to undergo a food safety audit at least once every 12 months under the Food Act 2006. In some cases, councils may require audits every six months for higher risk operations. For hotel brand standard audits, we recommend annual or biannual assessments to maintain consistent service quality, compliance and guest experience. Multi location or high volume operations may benefit from more frequent audits to ensure standards are upheld across all sites.
What documentation should I have ready for a food safety audit?
Please have your current Food Safety Program and relevant records available. These may include temperature monitoring, food receiving, cooking, cooling and reheating records, thermometer calibration, cleaning and sanitising schedules, pest control reports, allergen documentation, staff training records, supplier and traceability information, maintenance records and evidence of previous corrective actions. The exact requirements will depend on your business, food handling activities and applicable regulatory requirements.
How should I prepare for a food safety audit?
To prepare for a food safety audit, ensure your Food Safety Program is current and all records are up to date, including temperature logs, cleaning schedules, pest control reports and supplier documentation. Staff should be trained and aware of their responsibilities under your food safety system. Audit & Co also provides a pre audit checklist to guide you through the process, helping you identify gaps before the audit and ensuring a smooth, efficient assessment.
How do I develop a food safety program and HACCP plan for my business?
A food safety program starts with identifying every step where a hazard could enter your process, from receiving and storage through to preparation and service. HACCP, or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, builds on this by pinpointing the specific steps where a hazard must be controlled to keep food safe, such as cooking temperatures, cold storage or allergen handling.
A properly developed program includes a hazard analysis specific to your menu and processes, clear critical limits at each control point, monitoring procedures your team can realistically follow during service, corrective actions when something falls outside those limits, and record keeping that holds up under regulatory review.
The programs that hold up under pressure are built with input from the people actually running the kitchen, not written in isolation and handed down. Audit & Co works with hospitality and food service businesses across Australia and APAC to develop, review and strengthen food safety programs and HACCP plans, and to prepare teams for certification and regulatory audits.
Food and beverage consultancy
What does Audit & Co’s food and beverage consultancy service cover?
Our F&B consultancy supports hotels and hospitality operators in reviewing and improving their food and beverage operations, including service standards, menu structure, outlet efficiency and the overall guest experience across restaurants, bars and in room dining. We work alongside your team to identify what is working, what is holding performance back, and practical steps to close the gap.
Is F&B consultancy only for hotels, or do you work with standalone restaurants and venues too?
While much of our F&B consultancy work is with hotel groups, we also work with standalone restaurants, catering operations and other hospitality venues across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Can F&B consultancy be combined with a brand standard or food safety audit?
Yes. F&B consultancy is often paired with a hotel brand standard audit or food safety audit, giving you both an independent assessment and practical, hands on recommendations for improvement in the same engagement.
Still have a question?
Get in touch and we will give you a straight answer, whether or not it leads to an audit. Call 0468 391 810 or email hello@auditandco.com.au.