How to become a Kitchenhand
Official title: Kitchenhand (General)
Assists kitchen and service staff in preparing and serving food.
Main tasks
- Assists in the preparation of food by chopping, peeling and slicing ingredients
- Assists with simple tasks relating to the cooking, baking, plating and presentation of food
- Assists in stocking and replenishing food supplies and ingredients
- Assists in the setup and pack down of kitchen stations
- Follows the instructions of other kitchen staff
- Follows food safety and hygiene standards
- May assist in the packaging and plating of food for delivery or service in hospitals, aged care facilities and off-site events
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421); Certificate III in Asian Cookery (SIT31121); Certificate III in Catering (SIT30921); Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30821); Certificate III in Hospitality (SIT30622); Certificate III in Patisserie (SIT31021); Certificate II in Hospitality (SIT20322); Certificate IV in Asian Cookery (SIT40821)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $67,184 a year
- About 151,600 people work in this job group now, and about 165,000 are projected by 2035. (+8.8%)
- 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 Kitchenhand?
Ways in include: Certificate II in Cookery; Certificate III in Asian Cookery.
How much does a Kitchenhand earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $67,184 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Kitchenhand a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 151,600 to about 165,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Kitchenhand?
Usually not. Only 11% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate II in Cookery; Certificate III in Asian Cookery.
Will AI change the work of a Kitchenhand?
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