New food safety rules could pose a problem for local sausage sizzles.
From December 8, anyone regularly handling food will need to show they have completed food safety training under changes to Safe Food Australia standards.
Volunteers at local sports clubs will now need to complete a free safety assessment or have experience from a previous job.
The new standards will also apply to school canteens, delicatessens and institutional settings such as prisons.
But the iconic Bunnings sausage sizzle will likely dodge the new requirements because the standards do not apply to food handling at a one-off event that raises funds solely for community or charitable causes.
Bunnings has relied on volunteers to operate the sausage sizzles for more than 25 years. The funds raised at the sausage sizzles support countless local and national causes including sporting groups, rotary clubs, kindergartens and scouts.
The training covers safe handling of food, food contamination, cleaning and sanitising of food premises and equipment, and personal hygiene.
"I am pleased federal, state and territory governments are taking a joint approach to improving food safety standards across Australia and appreciate food businesses' cooperation in ensuring consumers continue to have high confidence in the safety practices of the food service and retail sector," she said.
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The guidelines are designed to reduce incidents of food-borne illnesses like salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis.
Research conducted by ANU estimated the cost to Australia of food-borne illness was $2.44 billion per year.
