Chefs and cooks work in restaurants, hotels, pubs, caterers and resorts across Australia. Pay for most roles follows the Hospitality or Restaurant Award unless the venue has an agreement, and trade-qualified cooks sit at higher levels. Register with CrossNation to be considered as roles open. CrossNation cannot promise a job, visa or start date.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 4 October 2026.
33.7 thousand in August 2026, against 37.7 thousand in August 2025. Over the six quarters from May 2025 to August 2026 the low was 33.7 thousand (Aug 2026) and the high was 40.6 thousand (Feb 2026). This ABS industry group covers restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels and catering.
Source: ABS: Job Vacancies, Australia, August 2026 (job vacancies by industry, original series) (retrieved 4 October 2026)
Hospitality Industry (General) Award, level 4, which lists cook (tradesperson) grade 3: $1,119.10 a week ($29.45 an hour) (Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, clause 18.1, pay period commencing 1 July 2026). This is the award minimum, not an average or a going rate.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 [MA000009] (retrieved 4 October 2026)
Restaurant Industry Award, level 6, cook (tradesperson) grade 5: $1,221.10 a week ($32.13 an hour) (Restaurant Industry Award 2020, clause 18.1, pay period commencing 1 July 2026). This is the award minimum, not an average or a going rate.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Restaurant Industry Award 2020 [MA000119] (retrieved 4 October 2026)
A food safety supervisor must hold recognised, formal certification obtained in the past 5 years.
Source: FSANZ: Standard 3.2.2A food safety management tools (retrieved 4 October 2026)
Kitchen roles are graded. Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award, a cook (tradesperson) grade 3 sits at level 4, while the Restaurant Industry Award places a cook (tradesperson) grade 5 at level 6. The tables above show the minimum weekly pay for each, read from the award on the dates stated. Venues can pay above the award, and many do, but the grade you are hired into sets the floor.
A trade qualification in commercial cookery shows employers you are ready for a trade grade. Kitchens must have a certified food safety supervisor, who holds recognised certification obtained in the past 5 years, and food handlers need training. If you hold a current food safety supervisor certificate, say so on your profile. Roles that serve alcohol may ask for responsible service of alcohol, which each state sets.
Kitchens trade late and on weekends, so expect split shifts, evenings and public holidays. Penalty rates apply under the award for work outside ordinary hours, and the actual weekly pay for a roster can be a lot higher than the base rate. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator with your own shifts before you accept an offer.
Overseas chefs usually need work rights before starting, and the employer may need to be approved to sponsor. Our guide for chefs and cooks explains the general picture from a candidate's side. CrossNation cannot promise a job, a visa or a timeline. If you are already in Australia, check what your visa allows before you accept a role.
A recruiter reviews profiles against roles as employers brief us. Listings are not job offers.
Most venues pay at least the minimum in their award, hospitality or restaurant depending on the venue. The tables above show trade-cook minimums, and many venues pay more.
Not for every role, but a commercial cookery qualification helps you reach a trade grade. Entry-level roles exist.
A person with recognised certification, obtained in the past 5 years, who makes sure the business handles food safely. Many venues must have one.
Yes. Hotels, resorts and pubs recruit across Australia. See the live listings above for current locations.
Create a candidate profile and upload a CV that lists each kitchen, your section or role, the covers you handled and your food safety certificate. Recruiters match profiles to kitchen briefs.
You need the right to work in Australia. Many venues ask for recent kitchen references and a trade qualification. CrossNation cannot promise a job, visa or start date. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
