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Chef jobs Melbourne: cook, chef de partie, sous chef and head chef roles

Chef jobs Melbourne kitchens advertise cover cooks, chefs de partie, sous chefs and head chefs across cafes, restaurants, hotels, pubs and function venues. In the 2021 Census cafes and restaurants were the second-largest employing industry in Greater Melbourne. Food safety duties sit with the venue, and the job ad tells you what certificate a role needs. Register your CV with CrossNation and a recruiter reviews it as employers brief us; a listing is not a job offer.

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By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.

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Open chef roles in Melbourne right now: 0

No matching roles are open in Melbourne right now. Create a candidate profile and upload your CV, and a recruiter reviews profiles against roles as employers brief us. A listing is not a job offer.
What to know

What to know before you apply in Melbourne

Why is Melbourne a strong market for cooks and chefs?

Greater Melbourne had 4,917,750 residents at the 2021 Census. Hospitals were the largest employing industry at 4.3% of employed residents and cafes and restaurants came second at 2.6%, against 2.2% across Australia. Technicians and trades workers, the group that includes cooks and chefs, made up 12.1% of employed residents against 12.9% nationally. The Census counts where residents work, not vacancies, but a city where cafes and restaurants employ that many people hires across the brigade, from the cook who runs a cafe pass to the head chef who writes the menu, costs it and manages suppliers.

How does Victoria classify food premises, and why does it matter to a chef?

Under the Victorian Food Act 1984 every food premises must be registered with, or notify, its local council, and the council classifies the business into one of four classes based on the food safety risk of its highest risk activity and how susceptible the customers are to food poisoning. Class 1 is the highest risk and class 4 the lowest. The class decides what the venue needs, including whether it needs a food safety program and a nominated food safety supervisor, so ask a prospective employer which class the kitchen is and who the supervisor is. Nationally, Standard 3.2.2A requires a certificate obtained within the past five years for a certified food safety supervisor, which is why Melbourne employers often ask a senior chef to hold one.

What does the restaurant award set for a Melbourne cook or chef?

Cafes and stand-alone restaurants are often covered by the Restaurant Industry Award [MA000119], while hotels, resorts and caterers are usually covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009]. From 1 July 2026 the Restaurant Industry Award sets cook grade 4 (tradesperson) at level 5 at $1,189.40 a week ($31.30 an hour) and cook grade 5 (tradesperson) at level 6 at $1,221.10 a week ($32.13 an hour). These are award minimums, not a going rate, and an enterprise agreement can replace the award. Check which award covers the venue, then price a shift with the Fair Work Pay Calculator. Check Fair Work for the latest rates.

Which Victorian public holidays affect kitchen rosters in 2026?

Victoria observes Labour Day on Monday 9 March, the Friday before the AFL Grand Final on Friday 25 September and Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 3 November in 2026. Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across all of Victoria unless a non-metropolitan council arranges an alternative local holiday. Melbourne venues are busy on Grand Final Friday and Cup Day, so ask at interview how the holiday is rostered and paid.

Can an overseas chef work in a Melbourne kitchen?

Work rights come first. Home Affairs says a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) lets you work in any occupation, generally for up to 6 months with one employer, and other visas carry their own conditions, which VEVO shows. Home Affairs lists exemptions to the 6-month limit, including hospitality, aged and disability care, childcare and agriculture work, so check your visa conditions in VEVO or ask a registered migration agent. CrossNation is a recruitment agency and cannot sponsor you, lodge visa paperwork or promise a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.

What you could apply for in Melbourne

Role types

  • Cafes and all-day dining, from a single pass to a group
  • Restaurants, bars and wine venues
  • Hotel and function kitchens
  • Pubs with a bistro
  • Caterers and event kitchens

Areas covered: Melbourne CBD, Carlton, Fitzroy, Richmond, St Kilda, South Yarra, Docklands, Southbank, Brunswick, Footscray.

Official data

Key facts from official sources

Victoria: public holidays in 2026

Labour Day is Monday 9 March, the Friday before the AFL Grand Final is Friday 25 September and Melbourne Cup Day is Tuesday 3 November. Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across all of Victoria unless a non-metropolitan council arranges an alternative.

Source: Business Victoria: Victorian public holidays 2026 (retrieved 6 October 2026)

Greater Melbourne: cafes and restaurants

4,917,750 residents at the 2021 Census. Cafes and restaurants employed 2.6% of employed residents, the second-largest industry after hospitals (4.3%), against 2.2% across Australia.

Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats: Greater Melbourne (retrieved 6 October 2026)

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to work as a chef in Melbourne?

This page does not list a chef licence; the food safety duties in this page's sources sit with the food business, so check the job ad or ask the employer what the role needs. Employers usually ask for a Certificate III or IV in commercial cookery or kitchen management and kitchen references, and venues must meet their own food safety duties.

What class of food premises is a restaurant kitchen in Victoria?

The local council assigns one of four classes when the premises registers or notifies, based on its highest risk activity and the customers it serves. Ask the employer which class applies and who the nominated food safety supervisor is.

What do chefs in Melbourne earn?

This page prints award minimums, not market averages. Pay depends on the award, the classification, the hours and any annual salary arrangement. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator for a specific shift.

Are cook jobs in Melbourne different from head chef jobs?

Yes. A cook prepares food under direction, while a head chef plans menus, manages costs and suppliers and leads the team, and the awards classify them at different levels. Read the duties in the ad before you apply.

Can I work as a chef in Melbourne on a Working Holiday visa?

A Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) lets you work in any occupation, generally for up to 6 months with one employer. Home Affairs lists exemptions to the 6-month limit, including hospitality, aged and disability care, childcare and agriculture work, so check your visa conditions in VEVO or ask a registered migration agent. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.

Does CrossNation have chef roles in Melbourne right now?

Open roles appear on this page when an employer briefs us and the role is live. If none is listed, register your CV and a recruiter reviews it as briefs arrive. A listing is not a job offer and we cannot promise a role.

Chef jobs in other cities

Related guides

Sources (accessed 6 October 2026)