Administrative review and re-grade

An overview of the Eat Safe Logan administrative review and re-grade process is shown below.

Type	Application	Overview
Administrative review	A food business disagrees with the Eat Safe Logan rating issued for their business.	The Environmental Health Services Coordinator or the Environmental Health and Immunisation Program Leader will conduct an administrative (desktop) review. If Council is found to be in error, the application fee will be refunded. Applications must be made within 10 business days of the Eat Safe Logan inspection.
Minor re-grade assessment	Improvements have been made to up to three minor non‑compliances.	A food business that has quickly rectified minor non‑compliances can apply to be reinspected and receive a higher Eat Safe Logan rating. A maximum of three separate minor non‑compliances will be assessed during a limited inspection. Applications must be made within 10 business days of the Eat Safe Logan inspection.
Major re-grade assessment	A business wants to be re‑graded following a full reassessment.	A food business that has improved its food hygiene and safety practices may apply for a full reassessment before the next routine inspection. Waiting periods apply (see Table2 below) and rating increases are limited.

Frequently asked questions

At the end of my inspection, I was given a 2 star rating and advised that if I made a few improvements I can graduate to a higher star rating. I only received 2 minor non-compliances during my inspection and 1 major non-compliance. Can I apply for a minor re-grade of just the 2 minor defects?

No. Even if the 2 minor-non compliances were rectified, you still received 1 major non-compliance.

If you would like to upgrade to a higher star rating, you will need to apply for the 'major re-grade assessment' 1 month after your initial inspection.

I received a 2 star rating. Since my inspection I have put in a lot of hard work to get my food business up to scratch, made sure my employees undertake regular food safety training and am diligent with my record keeping. I believe I'm now a 4 or 5 star rating. Can I upgrade my star rating?

Yes. However, because you received a 2 star rating, the highest rating you can achieve within the first 12 months after the initial inspection is 2 stars as waiting periods apply to rating increments.

Even if an Environmental Health Officer awarded you a 5 star rating on the major re-grade assessment, you cannot jump to a 5 star rating after receiving a 2 star rating.

For example:

On the 1st November 2013 "Logan Eatery" receives a 2 star rating.
On the 1st February 2014, "Logan Eatery" applies to Logan City Council for a major re-grade assessment.
On the 4th February 2014 an Environmental Health Officer conducts a major re-grade of "Logan Eatery" and determines that the food business has significantly improved their food handling practices and is now considered a very good performer and the inspection tallies a 4 star result.
However, because "Logan Eatery" received a 2 star rating on 1st November 2014, they are not entitled to progress to a 4 star rating until after February 2015 (after the business has had 1 year at a 3 star rating).
"Logan Eatery" is then awarded a 3 star rating as a result of the major re-grade assessment.

Example of "Logan Eatery" as a 2 star in November 2013 rating in table format:

Year	Highest star rating they may be able to achieve in subsequent years or after major re‑grades
2014	3
2015	5
2016	5

The initial star rating your business receives during the Eat Safe Logan inspection will determine future star increments.

If your business receives a 0 or 2 star rating, you must spend 1 year on the 3 star rating before you are permitted to increment, irrespective of improvements you have made to your business and what star rating result you are given after your initial 0 or 2 star rating.

Table 2:

Current star rating	Scheduled inspections	Waiting period before re‑grade application	Maximum star rating after routine inspection or re‑grade
0	Monthly	1 month from previous Eat Safe Logan inspection	3
2	Every 2 months	1 month from previous Eat Safe Logan inspection	3
3	Every 6 months	3 months from previous Eat Safe Logan inspection*	5
4	Every 12 months	6 months from previous Eat Safe Logan inspection	5
5	Every 12 months	N/A	N/A

*Note: a 3 star business that was previously a 0 or 2 star must stay at a 3 star for 12 months, unless that business applies for a major regrade (in which the 6 month waiting period applies).

I received a 2 star rating but had my re-inspection 7 days later. The inspecting Environmental Health Officer was happy with the overall progress of my food business. Can I progress my star rating based on my re-inspection?

No. Re-inspections are to ensure business have fixed any non-compliances identified during the initial/routine inspection.

Example in table:

'Logan Eatery" receives a 2 star rating on the 1st November 2014 then fixes all of the non-compliances and maintains their food hygiene standards during future inspections.

Date of original inspection	Star rating received	Re‑inspection (following initial non‑compliances)	Next scheduled routine inspection	Star rating received
1 November 2014	2	7 November 2014	1 January 2015	3

Food businesses that receive a star rating less than 3 stars will receive more routine inspections (sometimes referred to as 'annual inspections' or 'full inspections') compared to food business that are receiving a 3 star rating or greater.

For example, a 3 star business will receive a routine inspection approximately 1 inspection every 6 months and a 0 star business will receive a routine inspection approximately once every month.