ANZSCO code
851311 Kitchenhand
Source: ABS: ANZSCO 2022 structure (occupation codes), read 2026-10-06
Hospitality jobs in Australia
Kitchen Hand jobs in Australia
Kitchen hands wash dishes, prepare ingredients, clean the kitchen and help the cooks during service. No qualification is required, which makes it a common first hospitality job. Food handlers must have the skills and knowledge for their tasks under the Food Standards Code, and pay follows a hospitality award or an agreement.
How many kitchen hand jobs are open right now?
There are no open kitchen hand 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 kitchen hand jobs
No open roles today. Create a profile or browse all jobs.
What does a kitchen hand do in a shift?
A kitchen hand keeps the kitchen running. You wash dishes, pots and equipment, peel and chop vegetables, portion ingredients, receive deliveries, put stock away, take out waste and clean benches and floors at the end of service. Busy periods are fast and physical, with time on your feet and lifting, so good manual handling habits protect your back. In smaller venues you may also plate simple items or help on the pass. Hours often fall on evenings and weekends, and many roles are casual or part-time, which suits students and people building Australian work experience.
What do kitchen hand employers ask for?
Most kitchen hand jobs do not ask for a qualification. Employers look for reliability, hygiene, the ability to follow instructions and a willingness to learn. Under the Food Standards Code, food businesses must make sure food handlers have the skills and knowledge for the tasks they do, so expect short on-the-job training or an online food handling course. Non-slip, closed shoes are standard. Hospital, aged care and school kitchens may ask for a police check or a vaccination record. If you are on a visa with work limits, check your conditions in VEVO before you accept a roster.
Which award covers kitchen hands?
Kitchen hands are usually covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009] in hotels, pubs and clubs, the Restaurant Industry Award [MA000119] in restaurants and cafes, or the Fast Food Industry Award [MA000003] in fast food outlets, and some workplaces have an enterprise agreement. These awards set minimum rates by level, junior rates where they apply, casual pay rules, and penalty rates for nights, weekends and public holidays. We do not quote pay figures, as they change each year. Ask which award applies and what level you will start on, and check the minimum with the Fair Work Pay Calculator.
Registration and award
Registration: No licence required (food safety rules set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand). Kitchen hands do not need registration or a qualification. Food handlers must have the skills and knowledge for the tasks they do.
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: 851311 Kitchenhand
Official data
Key facts
Entry qualification
None required; food handlers need skills and knowledge for their tasks
Pay check
Fair Work Pay Calculator shows the minimum rate for an award and level
Modern award
Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009], Restaurant Industry Award [MA000119] or Fast Food Industry Award [MA000003]
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a kitchen hand job with no experience?
Yes, many venues train new kitchen hands. Be ready to show reliability, say which days and times you can work and bring any food handling certificate you hold.
Is a kitchen hand job a path to becoming a cook?
It can be. Many cooks start as kitchen hands, then take on prep and a station, and some venues offer a traineeship towards a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
Do kitchen hands get paid for working weekends?
Awards set penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, and the amount depends on the award and whether you are casual. Check your contract and your pay slips against the award.
Can CrossNation sponsor an overseas kitchen hand?
No. CrossNation is a recruitment agency, not a registered migration agent, so we cannot sponsor you, give visa advice or promise a job. Work limits on some visas, such as study hours, are set by the visa itself, which you can check in VEVO. This is general information, not migration advice; please speak with a registered migration agent.