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Employer guide

Hire a Kitchen Hand in Australia

To hire a kitchen hand, write clear duties and hours, provide food handling training and set out the award and classification, including junior and casual rules. CrossNation recruits kitchen hands for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.

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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

What you need to know

What should a kitchen hand position description say?

List the tasks: dishwashing, prep such as peeling and portioning, receiving and storing stock, waste handling and end of day cleaning. Describe the pace and the physical demands, the roster and whether the role can grow into prep or cook duties. Say what training you provide, such as manual handling and chemical safety. Applicants are often new to the industry or to Australian work, so plain descriptions and a clear first-week plan reduce early turnover. State the uniform and footwear you expect and whether you supply them.

What are your obligations for food handlers?

Under the Food Standards Code, food businesses must make sure that food handlers have the skills and knowledge for the tasks they perform, which usually means induction training on hygiene, allergens and cleaning. Keep a record of the training you give. There is no qualification requirement for kitchen hands, but your work health and safety duties still apply: manual handling, slips and hot surfaces, and safe use of chemicals. Workers who hold visas with limits on hours need you to keep rosters within those limits, and you can check work rights before the person starts.

How do awards treat kitchen hands?

Kitchen hands are usually covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009], the Restaurant Industry Award [MA000119] or the Fast Food Industry Award [MA000003], or an enterprise agreement. These awards set levels, junior rates where they apply, casual rules, minimum engagement periods and penalty rates for evenings, weekends and public holidays. We do not publish pay figures here. Confirm the award for your business type, classify the role correctly and cost rosters with the Fair Work Pay Calculator, including penalty rates for the shifts you need to fill.

How do you keep kitchen hands once they start?

Turnover is high in kitchen support roles, so the first weeks matter. Give a proper induction on the dish pit, prep station and cleaning schedule, show how to lift and carry safely and name one person who answers questions. Roster fairly, confirm shift times in advance and pay on time. Offer meals or a clear staff meal policy if that is your practice. Small signals of progress, such as learning a prep task or moving onto a station, give people a reason to stay and build a pipeline of future cooks.

Before you brief a recruiter: kitchen hand checklist

Checklist

  • List duties, pace and physical demands in the position description
  • Provide and record food handling and allergen induction
  • Give manual handling and chemical safety training
  • Check work rights and keep rosters within any visa hour limits
  • Confirm the award, level and junior or casual rules
  • Explain uniform, footwear and first-week supervision

Tell us the role, location and start date

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does a kitchen hand need a food safety certificate?

There is no set qualification, but food handlers must have the skills and knowledge for their tasks. Induction training with a record is the usual way to show this.

Can I hire a kitchen hand who is a student?

Yes, if they have work rights. Student visa holders have limits on work hours, so check conditions before you roster them.

Do junior rates apply to kitchen hands?

Hospitality awards have junior rates for employees under a set age. Check the award that covers your business and the person's age.

How does CrossNation charge to recruit a kitchen hand?

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 kitchen hands for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.

Can I recruit an overseas kitchen hand through CrossNation?

CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Kitchen hand roles are generally not on skilled occupation lists, so overseas hiring for them is limited and depends on the visa route. 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 kitchen hand the job?

Kitchen hands do not need registration or a qualification. Food handlers must have the skills and knowledge for the tasks they do. For a kitchen hand, 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 kitchen hand, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.

Related

Sources (accessed 6 October 2026)