Chef salary in Australia: what job ads really mean for your pay
Compare chef salary offers using the Salary Index. See median earnings, award rates, and how to read job ads for chefs in Australia.
The median full-time chef salary is around $74,000 a year, giving an index of about 68, well below the national line of 100.
What a chef salary really means when you read a job ad
When you see a job ad for a chef, the salary figure might be listed as an annual package, an hourly rate, or a weekly wage. To make sense of it, you need to know where that number sits against the national line. That’s where the Salary Index helps: it compares any gross annual salary to the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $108,352 (index 100).
The median chef salary: a starting point
The most current public data on chef earnings comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics via Jobs and Skills Australia. For full-time non-managerial chefs, the median weekly earnings are $1,423. That annualises to roughly $74,000, giving an index of about 68. In plain terms, the typical chef earns about two-thirds of the national full-time benchmark.
This figure is a useful anchor when you’re comparing offers. If a job ad quotes $75,000 a year, that’s close to the median. If it quotes $65,000, you’re below the median and should check what award classification applies.
Award minimums: the legal floor
Chefs are usually covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award or the Restaurant Industry Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides show the current minimum rates. Under the Hospitality Award (effective from 1 July 2026), a Level 2 cook grade 1 gets $1,029.10 per week, or $27.08 per hour. That’s an annualised $53,513, index 49.4. An Introductory level pays $978.10 per week ($25.74/hr), index 47.0.
These are the legal minimums. Many chefs earn above award, especially in fine dining or busy city restaurants. The median of $1,423 is well above the award floor, reflecting skill and experience.
Reading a job ad: what to look for
When you see a salary in an ad, ask:
- Is it annual, hourly, or weekly?
- Does it include superannuation? (The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026.)
- Is the role full-time, part-time, or casual? Casual rates include a 25% loading.
- What award classification is mentioned? (e.g., Cook Grade 2, Chef de Partie)
Use the how the index works page to convert any figure to an index. For example, an offer of $80,000 a year gives an index of 73.8 – above the median but still below the national line.
State and industry context
Chef pay varies by state. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A chef in Perth might earn more than one in Hobart, reflecting local labour markets. The accommodation and food services industry index is 72.5, so chef pay is roughly in line with that industry average.
Take-home pay example
Suppose you’re offered the median chef salary of $74,000. After tax (using 2026–27 rates) and the 2% Medicare levy, your take-home pay would be approximately $57,500 a year, or $1,106 per week. That’s before any salary sacrifice or HELP repayments. If you’re casual, add the 25% loading: $92,500 gross, index 85.4, take-home around $70,000.
Why the index matters
The Salary Index lets you compare jobs across industries and locations. A chef earning $74,000 (index 68) is below the retail trade index (75.9) and well below professional services (114.7). But it’s not just about the number – consider hours, penalties, and career progression. Many chefs work 43 hours a week on average, so the hourly rate matters too.
Where to find more
For detailed award rates, check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides. For industry benchmarks, see the industries page. And if you want to understand the maths behind the index, read how the index works.
Remember: a job ad is a starting point. Use the median and award rates to negotiate, and always ask for the classification and whether super is included. The chef salary landscape is varied, but with the right tools you can see exactly where an offer lands.
Questions people ask
What is the average chef salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for chefs are $1,423, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). That works out to about $74,000 a year before tax. However, this is a median for non-managerial full-time employees; actual pay can be higher or lower depending on experience, location, and the type of establishment.
How does chef pay compare to the national average?
Using the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year, the median chef salary of $74,000 gives an index of about 68. That is well below the national line and also below the accommodation and food services industry average of 72.5. Chefs tend to earn less than the all-occupations median of $1,852 per week.
What award covers chefs in Australia?
Most chefs are covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 or the Restaurant Industry Award 2020. The Hospitality Award sets minimum rates for classifications like cook grade 1 and grade 2, while the Restaurant Award has levels up to Level 6 for more senior chefs. Always check the award that applies to your workplace, as it determines minimum pay, penalty rates, and conditions.