Chef Salary / Wage
Salary and wage information for chefs is compiled regularly by analysis of Australian jobs advertised in major publications. Salaries are annual unless otherwise stated.
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations Code (ANZSCO) for chefs is 351311.
Job titles and exact tasks vary in this work and examples of some occupation titles are chef, head chef, chef de partie, apprentice chef, commis chef and second chef.
This occupation is currently on the Australian Combined Skilled Occupation List, (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, MLTSSL).
The average Australian weekly full-time ordinary earnings across all occupations in mid-2018 were $1,586, giving an annual income of approximately $82,472. This was 2.6% higher than in mid-2017.*
Data supplied from Indeed over the past 36 months, based on over 2,800 salaries, estimated that the average salary for a chef was $54,974 per annum in Australia.
Chef Salaries / Wages in 2018
| Job Title | Salary / Wage $ | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Chef De Partie | 60,000 – 61,000 | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Casual Commis Chef & Larder Hand | $27.55+ per hour | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Pastry Chef | 50,000 – 55,000 | Wollongong, New South Wales |
| Chef de Partie – A la Carte & Functions | 50,000 – 60,000 | Melbourne, Victoria |
| 2nd Chef Salaried, Qualified, Full Time | 60,000 – 70,000 | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Sous Chef / Senior Chef De Partie | 55,000 – 65,000 | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Head Chef / Chef | 75,000 – 84,000 | Canberra, ACT |
| Sous Chef / Premium Grill & Tapas | 60,000 – 70,000 | Perth, Western Australia |
| Breakfast / Lunch Chef | 50,000 – 55,000 | Perth, Western Australia |
| Chef / Cook | 65,000 – 75,000 | Perth, Western Australia |
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*Source:ABS
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Hello I have been working all my life I am now 62 I tell everyone there is no future in Australia as a wage earner cause one cannot buy a home I see migrants coming here living in subsidised housing and driving modern 4x4s . For young people the only hope for one to get ahead is to start small and create a business it doesnt matter how small but one day you probably get a better lead meeting business people which will lead into something else maybe another business or jump up to a manageament position of a better paying career,as a wage earner you will always be disadvantaged by greedy bosses and a slave to the system.
Thank you. Your comment was really helpful
I’ve just been offered a casual head chef position been a chef for 20yrs how much is the casual pay rate?
I’m in a situation where I’m currently a grade 1 cook working casual at a restaurant. I’ve been offered the possibility to become full time which is great, but instead of being paid hourly they want to pay me a salary of 50k. I know on a salary i could be working close to 50hr weeks and so far have always worked weekends and been given between 30-45hrs/week.
Should I take the salary? Or politely decline and ask to be paid hourly as per the award on full time rates?
If your after job security and paid holidays + annual leave I suggest taking the salary. Casual is a great way to make some money, but if the hours drop so do you.
What is the hourly rate for a head chef in Perth Western Australia
Hi, I am not a certified chef but have been in this industry for 35 years and have just started a position running a kitchen in a cafe in northern Nsw.and not happy with $20 per hour mon to Friday with penalties.
My resume includes 4 years Sous chef in a club, head chef 3 years in a hotel,and Sous chef for 6 months in a hotel, and 2 years working abroad on private motor yachts, not to mention my previous years of experience.
Could you please advise me on how much I should negotiate with the owners..
Thanx
Karen
Hi Karen,
What is the basis of your employment ?
Casual or full time ? Do you work weekends ?
Don’t know where all this info is coming from, but from my 25 plus years as a chef in CBD Melbourne, the wages myself and my peers receive are way lower than those mentioned here. Don’t believe the BS – this is a low paying industry that generally doesn’t reward experience anywhere near the level of other industries (& don’t tell me that I mustn’t be any good – I topped my class at Tafe & also won an award, as well as earning a science degree to broaden my knowledge!). Do something else if you can.
The pay seems pretty similar to me. I’m working a commis position in sydney at 52000 a year. When I become a cdp itll be 57-60k. Not too bad if you ask me
I am working as a cdp in Sydney for more than 2 years. My salary is just 55k and we work 48 hours per week.
yep !!!!!
You’re not wrong !!!!!
In fact it is a complete rip off and the most abusive environment I have ever worked in. In an industry where a Chef with many years of training and experience earns less than a Barista ( not to say that the Barista deserves less because they don’t), honestly unless the Restaurant or eatery was mine I wouldn’t consider working again.
Definitely the hardest job I have ever had and worst pay rates imaginable.
As Marie Antoinette said “ Let them eat Maccas or KFC !!!
BTW, I was earning more ( hourly rate) in the 1990s when the cost of living was around 15 – 20 of current times.
Seriously WTF kind of scam is this.
How much should a breakfast and dinner chef get in a motel Queensland
I am a qualified chef working as a development chef. Developing food ingredients I have 25 years experience in the kitchen and 6 years experience in a test kitchen/ lab. I am trying to find if there is a normal/award salary for someone like me.
Cheers Denis
How much does a 1st year apprentice earn an hour in melbourne?
What’s the hourly rate of chef level 5 and 6?
Depends on location and what sort of establishment but as an example a level 5 Chef could expect to be paid around $27/$33/$38 respectively Mon-F/Sat/Sun in a club that runs on the award rate in NSW.
Hope that helps, Cheers.
What is the hourly rate for a casual Head chef?
Thanks
Rachel
In my experience should be somewhere between au$ 28-35 a hour
What is the hourly rate for someone how can work only 20 hrs per week. ( student visa)