What is a kitchen asset compliance audit?

A kitchen asset compliance audit is a structured inspection of all physical and structural elements of your commercial kitchen — benching materials, floor and wall finishes, ventilation, drainage, lighting, handwash facilities, storage, and equipment placement. An auditor cross-references each element against AS 4674 and the Food Standards Code, producing a written report of any gaps with corrective actions.

Is a kitchen asset compliance audit the same as a council inspection?

No. A council inspection is conducted by an Environmental Health Officer with enforcement powers. A kitchen asset compliance audit is a proactive assessment you commission yourself. AMES Food Advisory does not conduct official council inspections — we prepare your kitchen and documentation so you pass when the council arrives.

Service

Commercial Kitchen Asset Compliance

Most food businesses don't discover they have a kitchen compliance issue until the council inspector points it out. AMES Food Advisory audits your commercial kitchen assets against AS 4674 and the Food Standards Code — so you fix structural and equipment gaps before the regulator arrives.

Book a Kitchen Compliance Audit ? View pricing

Accredited Expertise & Corporate Background

Corporate Experience

National Food Manufacturer QA

20+ years in Quality Assurance, food safety systems, and laboratory operations at one of Australia's largest food manufacturers.

Teaching Credential

TAFE NSW

Sessional lecturer in Food Science & Technology. TAE Certificate IV in Training & Assessment — nationally recognised training qualification.

Technical Expertise

HACCP & SQF Specialist

HACCP plan development, SQF implementation gap analysis, and NSW Food Authority compliance across commercial food operations.

Academic Background

Food Technology Diploma

Diploma-qualified food technologist. Theory backed by over a decade of hands-on commercial food safety implementation.

What is included

Kitchen compliance, verified.

We conduct a thorough audit of your commercial kitchen's physical assets — checking every surface, fixture and structural element against the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and AS 4674.

✓

Structural Compliance Audit

Wall, floor and ceiling finishes checked for impervious, smooth, cleanable surfaces. Coving, drainage, ventilation gaps and pest-proofing assessed against AS 4674 requirements.

✓

Plumbing & Handwash Facilities

Handwash basin placement, number and specifications verified. Backflow prevention, waste water disposal and grease trap compliance checked for your premises class and council requirements.

✓

Equipment & Temperature Control

All refrigeration, hot-holding, cooking and storage equipment verified for capacity, calibration and compliance with food temperature control requirements under Standard 3.2.2.

✓

Ventilation & Exhaust Systems

Canopy, extraction rate, filtration and discharge compliance assessed. Grease build-up, fire safety and odour control reviewed against relevant Australian Standards and council conditions.

✓

Food Contact Surface Assessment

All benching, preparation surfaces, cutting boards, utensils and food contact equipment checked for material suitability, condition and cleanability. Porous, damaged or non-compliant surfaces identified with replacement recommendations.

✓

Written Compliance Report

Detailed written report with findings categorised by risk, photographs where applicable, specific AS 4674 clause references, and prioritised corrective actions with estimated remediation timelines.

Who is this for?

This is designed specifically for:

Cafe & Restaurant Owners

Established food businesses that have never had their kitchen assets formally audited against AS 4674 and need to know where they stand before the next council visit.

New Fit-Outs & Renovations

Businesses designing or building a new commercial kitchen who need pre-fit-out guidance or a compliance check before council sign-off.

Business Buyers

People purchasing an existing food business who need to verify the kitchen assets are compliant before settlement, avoiding expensive post-purchase rectification.

Food Manufacturers

Production facilities that need to verify structural hygiene zoning, equipment layout, drainage and ventilation meet GMP and regulatory requirements.

Lease Renewals & Inspections

Tenants facing lease-end make-good clauses or landlords needing independent verification of kitchen asset condition.

Compliance Standards

What We Check Against — and Why

Every commercial kitchen asset we audit is measured against the standards your council or NSW Food Authority inspector will use.

Standard

AS 4674 — Design, Construction & Fit-Out

The Australian Standard for commercial kitchen construction. Covers benching, flooring, wall finishes, ventilation, lighting, drainage, handwash facilities, storage and sanitation. Most NSW councils apply AS 4674 as the compliance benchmark during fit-out approvals and registration inspections.

Code

Food Standards Code — Standard 3.2.1 & 3.2.2

The Food Standards Code sets the legal requirements for food premises, equipment and food safety practices. Standard 3.2.1 covers premises and equipment design. Standard 3.2.2 covers food safety practices including temperature control, and general requirements.

Regulator

NSW Food Authority & Local Councils

Both state and local regulators inspect commercial kitchen assets. The NSW Food Authority focuses on Class 1 and 2 businesses. Local councils cover Class 3 and 4. We align our audit criteria with both, so you're prepared regardless of who arrives.

The Process

How a kitchen compliance audit works.

Initial Consultation

We discuss your premises type, kitchen age, any existing compliance concerns, and your specific council or audit requirements. Free, no obligation.

On-Site Kitchen Audit

We conduct a thorough physical inspection of every kitchen asset — surfaces, fixtures, equipment, plumbing, ventilation, drainage, lighting, storage and structural elements — cross-referencing against AS 4674 and the Food Standards Code.

Gap Report & Prioritised Findings

Written report delivered within 5 business days. Every finding categorised as critical, major or minor with the specific clause reference, photographic evidence and a practical corrective action.

Corrective Action Support

We don't just identify problems — we help you fix them. Prioritised remediation plan with estimated costs and timelines, plus guidance on trades and suppliers where needed.

Conversational Q&A

Questions & Answers

What is commercial kitchen asset compliance?

Commercial kitchen asset compliance refers to ensuring all physical assets in a food premises — including equipment, surfaces, ventilation, plumbing, lighting and structural finishes — meet the requirements of the Food Standards Code and Australian Standard AS 4674. This covers everything from handwash basin placement and splashback materials to exhaust canopy specifications and floor drainage.

Does my commercial kitchen need to comply with AS 4674?

Australian Standard AS 4674 (Design, Construction and Fit-Out of Food Premises) is the benchmark most NSW councils and the NSW Food Authority use when assessing commercial kitchen compliance. While it is not automatically legally enforceable in every LGA, councils routinely apply AS 4674 during fit-out approvals and registration inspections. If your kitchen was built or substantially renovated after 2004, compliance with AS 4674 is effectively mandatory.

How do I know if my commercial kitchen is compliant?

Without a professional audit, most business owners don't know until a council officer or NSW Food Authority inspector identifies the issue. Common hidden compliance gaps include incorrect benching materials (porous surfaces in food zones), ventilation hoods that don't meet extraction rates, handwash basins not in the correct location, and floor wastes that don't drain properly. A professional compliance audit identifies all of these before an inspector does.

What happens if my kitchen fails a compliance audit?

A compliance audit is not a council inspection — there are no enforcement outcomes. We provide a prioritised corrective action plan with specific fixes, estimated costs and timelines. You choose what to fix and when. Our goal is to help you achieve full compliance before an official inspector sees the issues.

How often should a commercial kitchen be audited?

For most food businesses, a full kitchen asset compliance audit is recommended every 2-3 years, or whenever significant renovations or equipment changes occur. We also recommend a quick compliance check before any lease renewal, council inspection or change of ownership.