Chef Salary Australia 2025–26 — What Chefs and Cooks Earn
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Contents
Chefs and cooks in Australia typically earn between $55,000 and $90,000 per year, with significant variation by experience level, establishment type, and specialisation. Head chefs at high-end restaurants and executive chefs in large venues or hotel chains can earn above this range.
Chef Salary by Experience and Role
| Role | Typical Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kitchen hand / food preparation | $48,000–$56,000 |
| Cook (trade school or apprenticeship) | $52,000–$65,000 |
| Commis chef (apprentice grade) | $48,000–$58,000 |
| Chef de partie | $60,000–$72,000 |
| Sous chef | $68,000–$85,000 |
| Head chef (mid-range restaurant) | $75,000–$95,000 |
| Head chef (fine dining / top restaurant) | $90,000–$130,000 |
| Executive chef (hotel, casino, institution) | $100,000–$160,000+ |
Chef Award Rates — Hospitality Industry Award 2020
Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, minimum rates for:
- Cook grade 1: ~$23.80/hour
- Cook grade 2: ~$24.80/hour
- Cook grade 3 (tradesperson): ~$26.00/hour
- Cook grade 4 (chef/head chef): ~$27.50/hour
Penalty rates apply for evenings (115–125%), weekends (125–175%), and public holidays (225%). Chefs working in hospitality typically earn a significant proportion of their income through these penalty rates.
Chef Earnings by Establishment Type
| Establishment | Head Chef Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Café / bistro | $60,000–$75,000 |
| Mid-range restaurant | $70,000–$90,000 |
| Fine dining restaurant | $90,000–$130,000 |
| Hotel / resort | $85,000–$140,000 |
| Aged care / institutional | $62,000–$80,000 |
| Corporate catering / events | $68,000–$100,000 |
| Mining / remote camp | $90,000–$140,000 |
Mining camp chefs earn well above typical hospitality rates due to FIFO premiums and the remote nature of the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is being a chef a well-paid job in Australia?
Chefs earn above the minimum wage, but hospitality is not a high-earning profession relative to other trade and professional qualifications. The work is physically demanding with irregular hours. Sous chefs and head chefs at quality establishments earn competitive wages, particularly with shift penalties included. Executive chefs and those in mining camps earn significantly more.
How much does a head chef earn in Australia?
Head chefs at mid-range restaurants typically earn $75,000–$95,000. Fine dining head chefs earn $90,000–$130,000. Executive chefs in large hotels, casinos, or institutions earn $100,000–$160,000+.
Can chefs earn good money in Australia?
Yes, particularly in high-demand settings. Mining camp and FIFO chefs earn $90,000–$140,000, often with accommodation and meals provided, which boosts the effective value further. Fine dining and executive chef roles are also well remunerated. Building a reputation in a sought-after restaurant can also lead to media, consulting, or ownership opportunities.
Career Progression in Australian Kitchens
The traditional brigade system establishes a clear hierarchy in professional kitchens:
- Commis chef / apprentice: Entry level, working all stations under supervision. In Australia, this typically aligns with a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
- Chef de partie (CDP): Runs a specific section — pastry, fish, grill, sauces. Expected to work independently and train more junior staff.
- Sous chef: Second-in-command to the head chef. Manages day-to-day operations, rostering, ordering, and kitchen team. Often deputises for the head chef during absence.
- Head chef / executive chef: Responsible for menu development, cost management, team leadership, and overall kitchen quality. In larger venues, the executive chef may oversee multiple outlets.
Each step typically requires 2–4 years of consistent experience, demonstrated technical skills, and increasingly, leadership ability.
Apprenticeship Wages in Australia
Cookery apprentices are covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. Apprentice rates are a percentage of the qualified tradesperson rate, increasing each year of the apprenticeship:
| Year of Apprenticeship | % of Tradesperson Rate | Approximate Weekly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 45–55% | ~$430–$520/week |
| Year 2 | 55–65% | ~$520–$615/week |
| Year 3 | 70–80% | ~$665–$760/week |
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is the standard qualification for trade-level chefs. Certificate IV and Diploma of Hospitality Management are pursued by those moving toward head chef and management roles.
Penalty Rates: The Real Pay Picture
Base salary figures for hospitality workers significantly understate true earnings because penalty rates form a large component of actual take-home pay.
Under the Hospitality Award, penalty loadings include:
- Evening work (after 7pm Monday–Friday): 115–125% of ordinary rate
- Saturday: 125% of ordinary rate
- Sunday: 175% of ordinary rate
- Public holidays: 225% of ordinary rate
A head chef with a $80,000 base salary working Saturdays, Sundays, and evenings may receive $90,000–$105,000 in total annual earnings including penalties. This is particularly significant for kitchen staff in restaurants, pubs, and clubs that operate seven days across service periods.
Working Conditions and Hours
Kitchens are demanding workplaces — physical, hot, and fast-paced, with long split shifts (lunch and dinner service) common at higher-end venues. The hospitality industry has historically struggled with high turnover, mental health issues, and substance use — concerns that the industry and government have been working to address through culture change initiatives and wage improvements.
The Fair Work Commission has progressively increased Award minimum rates for hospitality workers in recognition of the physically demanding nature of the work. Chef wages have grown above general wage growth in recent years as labour shortages in hospitality have pushed market rates upward.
Mining Camp and Remote Cooking: High-Pay Option
One of the highest-paying segments for chefs is remote resource sector catering. Mining camps, oil platforms, offshore facilities, and remote construction camps require experienced cooks and chefs on FIFO (fly-in fly-out) rosters.
Typical FIFO chef arrangements:
- Roster: 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off, or 3 weeks on / 3 weeks off
- Salary: $90,000–$140,000/year, often with accommodation and meals included
- Effective value: Adding accommodation and meals can add $15,000–$30,000 in effective compensation above the stated salary
Companies including Sodexo, Compass Group, ESS (Elior), and Delaware North operate large remote camp catering contracts across the Pilbara, Bowen Basin, and offshore WA.
Additional FAQs
Is a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery necessary?
For formal employed kitchen roles, a trade qualification is expected at chef de partie level and above. Some kitchens will accept demonstrated experience in lieu, but the Certificate III (or equivalent) is the recognised baseline in Australian commercial kitchens. It is also required for apprenticeship completion.
How do head chef salaries compare between capital cities?
Sydney and Melbourne fine dining head chef positions typically pay $10,000–$20,000 more than equivalent roles in Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide, reflecting both cost of living and the density of award-winning restaurants in those cities. Mining camp roles in WA and QLD can exceed capital city restaurant rates for experienced chefs.
Related Guides
- Tradie Salaries Australia
- Minimum Wage Australia 2025–26
- Average Salary Australia 2025–26
- Income by Occupation — All Careers
Salary data sourced from SEEK, Hays, Restaurant & Catering Australia, and Fair Work Commission award rates. Figures are approximate. This is general information only.