How to become a Fast Food Cook
Prepares and cooks a restricted range of foods in a fast food establishment.
Main tasks
- Prepares and cooks a restricted range of standardised menu items such as hamburgers, pizzas, fish and chips, in a timely manner
- Operates cooking equipment such as grills, deep fryers, pizza ovens and microwaves
- Stocks and replenishes food supplies and ingredients
- Follows health and safety regulations, and maintains a clean and hygienic work environment
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Asian Cookery (SIT31121); Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30821); Certificate IV in Asian Cookery (SIT40821); Certificate IV in Kitchen Management (SIT40521); Certificate III in Catering (SIT30921); Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421); Certificate I in Food Processing (FBP10121)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $50,804 a year
- About 50,200 people work in this job group now, and about 53,700 are projected by 2035. (+7.1%)
- 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 Fast Food Cook?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Asian Cookery; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
How much does a Fast Food Cook earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $50,804 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Fast Food Cook a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 50,200 to about 53,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Fast Food Cook?
Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Asian Cookery; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
Will AI change the work of a Fast Food 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