How to become a Cook
Prepares, seasons and cooks food in a dining or catering establishment.
Main tasks
- Inspects and selects ingredients for cooking
- Measures, cleans, chops, blends, seasons, heats and cools food
- Monitors food cooking processes to ensure proper cooking and presentation
- Coordinates, supervises and collaborates with kitchen staff in food preparation and cooking
- Cleans and maintains kitchen equipment and utensils
- Monitors and maintains inventory of food supplies and equipment
- Assists in the development of new recipes and menu items
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 Catering (SIT30921); 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 Maritime Operations (Marine Cookery) (MAR30324); Certificate III in Patisserie (SIT31021); Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $74,464 a year
- About 39,400 people work in this job group now, and about 44,400 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 Cook?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Catering; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
How much does a Cook earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $74,464 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Cook a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 39,400 to about 44,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Cook?
Usually not. Only 15% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Catering; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
Will AI change the work of a Cook?
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