ANZSCO code
351411 Cook
Source: ABS: ANZSCO 2022 structure (occupation codes), read 2026-10-06
Hospitality jobs in Australia
Cook jobs in Australia
Cooks prepare and cook food to a menu and recipes, usually under a chef or kitchen manager, in cafes, pubs, clubs, hotels, catering and aged care kitchens. There is no national licence. Employers often ask for a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and food safety training, and pay follows a hospitality award or an agreement.
How many cook jobs are open right now?
There are no open cook roles listed with CrossNation right now. New roles are added as employers brief us, so create a profile to be matched when one opens.
Live jobs
Open cook jobs
No open roles today. Create a profile or browse all jobs.
How is a cook different from a chef?
A cook follows the menu and recipes and works a station such as grill, fryer, pans or cold section, while a chef usually plans menus, orders stock and supervises others. In small venues the two titles overlap, and a cook may run the kitchen alone on quiet shifts. In ANZSCO, Cook has its own code, and awards classify the roles separately, so the title in the contract can change your pay level. Look at the duties in the job ad: menu planning, costing and rostering point towards a chef role, while prepping and cooking to a set menu points to a cook.
What qualifications and food safety training help a cook?
A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is the usual trade-level qualification and is often gained through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Employers also value food handling skills and knowledge under the Food Standards Code, allergen awareness, and a food safety supervisor certificate for senior cooks where the business must have one. If you learned on the job or overseas, list the kitchens, cuisines and volumes you have worked at, since a venue that serves many covers a night wants to see that experience. Speed, consistency and tidy work habits matter as much as certificates.
Which award covers cooks, and what do shifts look like?
Cooks are usually covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009] in hotels, pubs and caterers, the Restaurant Industry Award [MA000119] in restaurants and cafes, or an enterprise agreement in larger groups. Each has levels for cooks based on qualifications and duties, with penalty rates for evenings, weekends and public holidays and rules on split shifts and breaks. Weekends and late nights are normal in hospitality, while aged care and hospital kitchens often run earlier, more regular hours. We do not quote pay figures. Ask which award applies, which level you start on and whether tips or meals are part of pay.
Registration and award
Registration: No licence required (food safety rules set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand). Cooks do not need registration. Food businesses must meet the Food Standards Code, and senior cooks are often asked to hold a food safety supervisor certificate.
Pay and conditions: usually the Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009] or an enterprise agreement. Check current minimum rates with the Fair Work Pay Calculator.
ANZSCO: 351411 Cook
Official data
Key facts
Common entry qualification
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Source: training.gov.au: National register of VET qualifications
Licence
No national licence; the Food Standards Code applies to the kitchen
Modern award
Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009] or Restaurant Industry Award [MA000119]
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a trade qualification to get a cook job?
Not by law. Many cafes and pubs hire cooks on experience, but trade-level roles and better award classifications usually ask for a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery. Have your certificate or a clear work history ready.
Is a cook job the same as a kitchen hand job?
No. Kitchen hands wash, clean and help with prep, while cooks cook to the menu. Moving from kitchen hand to cook is a common path, especially with a traineeship.
Are cooks paid for split shifts?
Awards have rules on split shifts and minimum breaks between them, and the detail depends on the award. Ask whether the roster uses splits and how they are paid before you accept.
Can CrossNation sponsor an overseas cook?
No. CrossNation is a recruitment agency, not a registered migration agent, so we cannot sponsor you, give visa advice or promise a job. Any sponsorship is the employer's decision, and some venue types are treated differently in visa rules. This is general information, not migration advice; please speak with a registered migration agent.