Food Safety & Compliance · Brisbane & SE Queensland

I help first-time food business owners get council-ready and open with confidence.

From your first council application to your opening day — I build the compliance foundation so you open on time, with everything in order. No guesswork, no costly delays.

Book a free 15-min call See how I help
ISO 22000 Internal Auditor HACCP Trained 6 yrs FMCG manufacturing Professional Indemnity insured

Built for people opening their first food business.

For first-time food business owners in Brisbane and South East Queensland who are pre-launch — and don't want compliance to be the thing that delays their opening.

You might be here because…

Sound familiar?

Council has told you something needs to change — and you don't know where to start.

You're months from opening and the paperwork is piling up.

Your fit-out is underway, but no one's told you what food safety documentation you'll need.

You want compliance done properly the first time — not retrofitted later.

Free · No sign-up

Not sure where you stand? Start here.

Feel free to use our free 2-step compliance check to get you started — two quick questions to see whether your food business is likely Category 1 or Category 2, and what each one needs.

Start the 2-step compliance check
Services

Three ways I get you open and operating safely.

Whether you're at concept stage or already trading, here's how I can help.

Lead service · Most first-timers start here

Food Business Setup & Licence

Get council-ready and open with confidence.

For first-time food business owners. I take you from concept to opening day — handling council applications, reviewing your fit-out design against food safety requirements, and mapping every step against your opening timeline.

What's included

  • Written compliance roadmap with deadlines mapped to your opening date
  • Food safety design assessment — equipment, layout, workflows, contamination risks
  • Design assessment submission and direct council liaison
  • Food business licence application support
  • Pre-opening compliance walkthrough before you trade

Scope note: I assess the food safety implications of your fit-out. Construction and structural decisions stay with your trades.

Start your compliance roadmap

Food Business Operations Pack

For businesses that need practical food safety procedures and records.

Cleaning schedules, temperature logs, supplier records, sanitising procedures, corrective actions — documented, practical, and scaled to your operation. Not generic templates: built around your menu, your equipment, and how your business actually runs.

  • Procedures tailored to your operation
  • Logs and records your staff can actually use
  • Handover walkthrough for you and your team
Book a free 15-min call →

Food Safety Program Development

For businesses whose licence category requires a documented FSP.

A Food Safety Program is a documented system covering all hazards, controls, monitoring and verification, built to FSANZ Standard 3.2.1. Not every business needs one, so I'll confirm with your council before scoping it. This is where my background in large-scale FMCG manufacturing matters.

Book a free 15-min call →

Already operating?

I also work with established food businesses on:

  • Food safety compliance audits
  • Council readiness assessments before inspections
  • HACCP & food safety program reviews, rebuilds and revisions
Get in touch to discuss
How it works

A clear path from where you are to opening day.

1

Discovery call

Free, 15 minutes. We talk through your concept, timeline and where you're at. I tell you honestly whether I'm the right fit and what you'd need from me.

2

Engagement & roadmap

I build a written roadmap covering every step to opening day — council applications, documents, deadlines, and what's required from you at each stage.

3

Council & compliance work

I correspond with council on your behalf, prepare your food safety program, and guide your licence applications. You focus on your business; I handle the regulatory groundwork.

4

Pre-opening walkthrough

Before you trade, I come on-site to confirm everything is operational and inspection-ready — so your opening day isn't your first stress test.

Sophia Hegerty, Food Safety Consultant, Food Safe Brisbane
Sophia Hegerty
Your compliance partner

Helping food businesses get it right before opening day.

For six years, I worked inside large-scale food manufacturing, building and auditing food safety systems in highly regulated environments.

Today, I help new food business owners navigate food safety and compliance requirements before they open. From fit-out reviews and council applications to food safety documentation and opening readiness, I provide practical guidance tailored to your business and your timeline.

My focus is simple: helping you avoid costly mistakes, understand what's required, and open with confidence.

"Good compliance isn't about paperwork. It's about knowing what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and getting it right the first time."

— Sophia Hegerty

Qualifications & credentials

Experience you can rely on.

ISO 22000 Internal Auditor certified
HACCP trained
6 years food safety & quality in large FMCG manufacturing
Professional Indemnity insured (BizCover)
Book a free 15-min call

Let's talk about opening with confidence.

Tell me a little about where you're at. I'll get back to you to arrange a free 15-minute call — and I'll be honest about whether I'm the right fit.

info@foodsafebrisbane.com.auI reply within one business day
@foodsafety.brisbaneFollow on Instagram
Brisbane & South East QueenslandOn-site & remote support

Start the conversation

Four quick questions — that's all.

Please add your name, a valid email, and your business type.

Your details are kept private and never shared.

Thank you!

Your message is on its way. You'll hear back within one business day to arrange your free call.