How to become a Chef

Plans and organises the preparation and cooking of food in a dining or catering establishment.

Main tasks

• Assists in the planning of menus and determining food quantities and costs
• Prepares and cooks food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience
• Monitors food quality and presentation
• Manages and trains Cooks and Kitchenhands in food preparation, cooking techniques and food safety
• Orders and maintains inventory of food and kitchen supplies, ensuring it meets daily production needs
• Collaborates with management to develop new dishes and improve existing recipes
• Coordinates with front-of-house staff to ensure efficient food service
• Ensures compliance with health and safety regulations in the kitchen

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Commercial Cookery. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30821); Certificate IV in Asian Cookery (SIT40821); Certificate IV in Kitchen Management (SIT40521); Certificate III in Asian Cookery (SIT31121); Certificate III in Catering (SIT30921); Certificate III in Patisserie (SIT31021); Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421); Certificate IV in Patisserie (SIT40721)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $73,996 a year
• About 124,900 people work in this job group now, and about 140,500 are projected by 2035. (+12.5%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Chef?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Commercial Cookery; Certificate IV in Asian Cookery; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.

How much does a Chef earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $73,996 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Chef a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 124,900 to about 140,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Chef?

Usually not. Only 18% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Commercial Cookery; Certificate IV in Asian Cookery; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.

Will AI change the work of a Chef?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04