ANZSCO code
351311 Chef
Source: ABS: ANZSCO 2022 structure (occupation codes), read 2026-10-06 (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire a Chef in Australia
To hire a chef, define the level in your brigade, decide whether the role needs a Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or a food safety supervisor, and confirm the hospitality award and classification. CrossNation recruits chefs for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.
12% of annual salary
Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.
90-day placement guarantee
See our terms.
Official data
Key facts from official sources
Licence
No national licence; food safety supervisor rules apply to many food businesses
Source: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Common qualification
Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
Source: training.gov.au: National register of VET qualifications (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Modern award
Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009]
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
How should you define the chef level you need?
Chef titles vary between kitchens, so describe the job rather than relying on the title. A chef de partie runs a station, a sous chef runs the kitchen in the head chef's absence and manages rosters, stock and training, and a head or executive chef designs menus, controls costs and leads the team. State covers per service, cuisine, menu changes, the number of staff supervised and whether ordering and costing are included. Candidates compare roles by these details, and a clear level helps the award classification match the duties.
What food safety and qualification standards apply?
There is no national licence for chefs, but your business must meet the Food Standards Code, and many food businesses must have a certified food safety supervisor, which senior chefs are often asked to be. Decide whether you require a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or a Certificate IV in Kitchen Management, or will weigh experience in comparable kitchens instead. Allergen management is a core duty, so ask how candidates record allergens on menus and prevent cross-contact. Record the certificates you check and keep copies on file for audits.
Which award covers your chefs?
Chefs in hotels, clubs, resorts and catering are usually covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009], and those in restaurants and cafes by the Restaurant Industry Award [MA000119], unless an enterprise agreement applies. The awards have classification levels for cooks and chefs, penalty rates, split shift rules, breaks and allowances. If you offer an annual salary, the contract should state which award entitlements it covers, and the salary must leave the chef no worse off than the award. Our chef and hospitality salary guide sets out the award minimums with the clause and effective date.
Before you brief a recruiter: chef checklist
Checklist
- Write the level and duties, not just the title
- State covers per service, cuisine and staff supervised
- Decide the qualification and food safety supervisor requirement
- Confirm the award, classification and any annualised salary terms
- Describe split shifts, weekend and public holiday work honestly
- Record certificates checked and keep copies on file
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a chef need a licence to work in Australia?
No national licence applies. Your business has food safety obligations and may need a certified food safety supervisor, which a chef can be.
What is a fair way to offer an annual salary to a chef?
State which award entitlements the salary is meant to cover, the hours expected and how extra hours are treated, and check that the salary leaves the chef better off than the award would.
Should I offer accommodation for regional chef roles?
It can help attract candidates. If you do, put the terms in writing: rent, whether it is shared, any deductions from pay and what happens if employment ends.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit a chef?
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits chefs for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.
Can I recruit an overseas chef through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Chef and cook roles are listed on skilled occupation lists with conditions that depend on the venue type, so take advice before planning around overseas hiring. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
What should I verify before I offer a chef the job?
Chefs do not need registration. Many food businesses must have a certified food safety supervisor, and employers often ask chefs to hold that certificate. For a chef, the award that commonly applies is the Hospitality Industry (General) Award (MA000009), but coverage depends on your industry and the person's duties, so confirm it with the Fair Work Ombudsman before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your chef, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.