Chef
Prepare and create food in professional kitchens while managing quality, timing and efficient kitchen operations.
What They Do
Chefs prepare and cook food in restaurants, hotels, cafes, catering businesses and other hospitality venues. Their work can include planning menus, ordering ingredients, estimating food and labour costs, supervising food preparation and maintaining food-safety and presentation standards.
More experienced chefs may also train kitchen staff, manage sections of the kitchen and help control costs and menu development. Jobs and Skills Australia currently reports around 133,400 Chefs employed in Australia.
Who This Career Suits
This career suits people who enjoy working with food, using practical skills and producing tangible results.
Chefs generally need to work efficiently under pressure, manage several tasks at once and maintain high standards during busy service periods. Creativity, teamwork, organisation and attention to detail are particularly valuable.
Key Skills
Cooking, Creativity, Organisation, Attention to Detail, Teamwork, Time Management, Food Safety, Leadership
Work Environment
Commercial Kitchen, Indoor, Physical, Team-Based, Hospitality
Education & Training
A common Australian pathway is vocational training in commercial cookery, often combined with workplace training or an apprenticeship.
The current SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery develops professional cooking and kitchen-operation skills and contributes towards recognition as a trade cook. The qualification covers areas including food preparation, meat, seafood, poultry, vegetables, sauces, baking and dietary requirements. Training.gov.au
Further study such as the Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or hospitality-management qualifications can support progression into supervisory and management positions.
Career Changer Pathway
People can move into commercial cookery from hospitality, catering, food production or completely unrelated careers.
A mature-age apprenticeship or vocational training pathway can provide the practical skills and professional kitchen experience required. Career changers should expect hands-on training and significant time working in commercial kitchens.
Early Career
Early-career chefs build speed, consistency and technical skills while working within different kitchen sections.
Responsibilities may include ingredient preparation, cooking menu items, maintaining food-safety standards and supporting more experienced chefs during service.
Mid Career
Experienced chefs may take responsibility for a kitchen section, contribute to menu development, control food quality and costs, and supervise junior chefs or apprentices.
They may specialise in particular cuisines, pastry, catering, hotels or fine dining.
Senior / Veteran Career
Senior chefs can progress into positions such as Sous Chef, Head Chef, Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager.
Experienced professionals may also manage hospitality operations, work in consulting or food development, establish catering businesses or operate their own restaurant.
Salary Guide
Early Career
60000
Mid Career
75000
Senior / Veteran
100000
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Salary data source:
Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS
Salary data source URL:
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-and-industry-profiles/occupations-anzsco/3513-chefs
Date :
3 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am
Career Outlook
JSA currently reports approximately 133,400 Chefs, with annual employment growth of around 6,100 workers. About 78% work full-time and the median workforce age is 34. Jobs and Skills Australia
There is some nuance around shortages. Chef moved from a national shortage classification in 2023 and 2024 to a regional shortage in the 2025 Occupation Shortage List, suggesting demand remains strong in some areas while national recruitment pressures have eased.
Job Outlook :
Outlook Source :
Strong
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