Chef/Cook

SIT30821

Cert. III in Commercial Cookery

Use your creativity and flair to create masterful, balanced dishes inspired by local and international cuisines. Gain a sound understanding of balance and flavour profiles that will enhance your career opportunities both here and overseas.

Career Outcomes

Duration

SIT40521

Cert. IV in Kitchen Management

Turn up the heat on your hospitality career and master the inner workings of a commercial kitchen. Delegate tasks and boost morale. Model and encourage a supportive and high-functioning kitchen. Gain respect as a head chef locally or internationally.

Career Outcomes

Duration

SIT50422

Diploma of Hospitality Management

Gain the knowledge and training required to become a skilled manager in the hospitality industry with a Diploma of Hospitality Management SIT50422 at Victoria University Polytechnic.

Career Outcomes

Duration

SIT60322

Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management

Advance your management career and learn a variety of skills that will benefit you in the hospitality industry and beyond. You’ll be challenged to think on your feet and find innovative business solutions to enhance customer experiences, all while leading and managing a team.

Career Outcomes

Duration

Snapshot

Employed

116,300

Future Growth

13.9%

Weekly Earnings

$1,250

Full-Time Share

58%

Female Share

25%

Average age

35

Summary

Chefs plan and organise the preparation and cooking of food in dining and catering establishments.

Specialisations: Chef de Partie, Commis Chef, Demi Chef, Second Chef, Sous Chef.

A certificate IV in commercial cookery is needed to work as a Chef. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship. Executive Chefs, Head Chefs and Sous Chefs often complete additional study, such as a diploma of hospitality management.

Tasks

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:

  • is expected to grow strongly
  • is likely to reach 92,300 by 2026.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.

Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

Earnings

Working arrangements
Around 72% of people employed as Chefs work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

Full-time workers work an average of 46 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

Median full-time earnings are $1,250 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

  • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,137
  • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,442

Median hourly earnings are $33, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).

Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.

Industries

1

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES

82.9%

2

HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

6.9%

3

MANUFACTURING

2.0%

4

ARTS AND RECREATION SERVICES

2.0%

5

Other industries

6.1%

Want To Be An Chef/Cook? Get Started!

Generate your free SmartPlan™ to identify colleges you like, and potential ways to save on a degree or certification program toward your career with courses, offers, and much more!