How to become a Senior Chef

Manages and oversees the operation of kitchens in a dining or other food service establishment.

Main tasks

• Develops and monitors kitchen budgets, considering labour, ingredient and equipment costs
• Designs and plans menus based on seasonal trends, customer preferences and costs
• Oversees the recruitment, development and training of Chefs and other kitchen staff
• Assigns tasks and responsibilities to Chefs and Cooks
• Oversees the preparation and presentation of dishes
• Uses and teaches advanced culinary skills and techniques required to prepare menu pieces
• Inspects ingredients and dishes to ensure quality standards are met
• Enforces strict adherence to health and safety regulations in the kitchen

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management (SIT60322); Diploma of Hospitality Management (SIT50422); Certificate III in Catering (SIT30921); Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30821); Certificate III in Patisserie (SIT31021); Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421); Certificate IV in Asian Cookery (SIT40821); Certificate IV in Catering Management (SIT40621)

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.

Related jobs

• Hosted Accommodation Operator
• Accommodation Service Manager
• Cafe or Restaurant Manager
• Catering Manager
• Amusement Centre Manager
• Betting Agency Manager

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Senior Chef?

Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management; Diploma of Hospitality Management.

How much does a Senior Chef earn in Australia?

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

Is a Senior 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 Senior Chef?

Usually not. Only 18% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management; Diploma of Hospitality Management.

Will AI change the work of a Senior 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