Head chef salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
Find out how a head chef salary compares to the national line. We look at award rates, industry data, and the salary index to show where head chef pay lands.
A head chef salary typically falls between index 60 and 80, based on award minima and industry data, but precise figures are uncertain due to a lack of current published averages.
What counts as a head chef salary?
A head chef runs a commercial kitchen. They plan menus, manage staff, control costs, and ensure food quality. In Australia, the role sits somewhere between a senior cook and a manager. The keyword "head chef salary" matters because pay varies a lot depending on the venue, location, and experience. To understand where it lands, we compare it against the national line — the salary index.
The salary index: a quick refresher
The Salary Index measures yearly gross pay against full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. Index 100 equals $108,352 a year (from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). If a job pays $70,000, the index is about 64.6. If it pays $90,000, the index is about 83.1. The index makes it easy to see how any role compares to the national average, across industries and states.
Award rates for kitchen roles
The Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 sets minimum pay for cooks and kitchen staff. The award doesn't list "head chef" as a separate classification. Instead, cooks are graded from Level 1 to Level 6. The top cook grade (Level 6, tradesperson grade 5) pays $32.13 per hour as of July 2026. That works out to about $1,221 a week, or $63,492 a year — index 58.6.
For managerial staff in hotels, the award sets a minimum annual salary of $63,617 (index 58.7). Many head chefs in larger venues are classified as managerial and paid above that minimum.
What the data says about chef pay
The most recent public analysis of chef earnings comes from a 2021 Attorney-General's Department submission to the Fair Work Commission. It used 2019 HILDA survey data for all chefs (including sous chefs, chef de partie, and head chefs). The median weekly earnings were $1,126, or about $58,552 a year — index 54. The mean was a bit higher at $1,196.83 weekly ($62,235 annual, index 57.4).
But that data is from 2019 and covers all chefs, not just head chefs. Award rates have risen since then (4.75% from July 2026 alone), and head chefs typically earn more than the median for all chefs. The accommodation and food services industry index is 72.5, suggesting many workers in the sector earn around $78,500. A head chef would likely be above that industry average.
Where a head chef salary might land on the index
Without a current published average, we can estimate. A head chef in a casual dining restaurant might earn $70,000 to $75,000 (index 64.6 to 69.2). In a high-end restaurant or hotel, the range could be $80,000 to $95,000 (index 73.8 to 87.7). Some executive head chefs in major hotels earn six figures, pushing the index above 100.
State differences matter too. The states page shows that Western Australia (index 106.9) and the ACT (index 109.9) have higher overall earnings, so head chef salaries there tend to be higher. In Tasmania (index 88.6) or South Australia (index 94.6), pay may be lower.
Super and take-home pay
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. So a head chef earning $80,000 gets $9,600 in super on top. That total package of $89,600 is index 82.7. Take-home pay after tax and Medicare levy (2%) depends on the tax brackets. For $80,000, the estimated take-home is about $61,800 (excluding HELP or other deductions).
Why precise figures are hard to pin down
The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission publish award rates but not occupation-specific averages. The ABS publishes industry averages, but not for individual roles like head chef. The industries page shows accommodation and food services at index 72.5, but that includes waitstaff, kitchen hands, and managers. Head chefs are a small subset.
How to use the index for head chef roles
If you're hiring or negotiating, the index helps you benchmark. A head chef salary at index 75 ($81,264) is above the industry average but below the national line. At index 90 ($97,517), it's competitive with professional roles. The how the index works page explains the calculation in detail.
The bottom line
A head chef salary in Australia typically sits between index 60 and 80, based on award floors and industry data. But without a current published average, the exact figure is uncertain. The best approach is to check award rates for the relevant classification, consider the venue type and location, and use the salary index to compare against the national line.
For more on related roles, see our topics page.
Questions people ask
What is the average head chef salary in Australia?
There is no single published average for head chefs. Based on award rates for senior cook grades and managerial minimums, a head chef might earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually. That would place the salary index between 60 and 78. However, actual pay varies widely by venue, location, and experience.
How does head chef pay compare to the national average?
The national line (index 100) is $108,352 per year. A head chef salary often falls below that, given the accommodation and food services industry index is 72.5. But experienced head chefs in high-end restaurants or hotels can exceed the national average, especially in states like Western Australia (index 106.9) or the ACT (index 109.9).
What award covers head chefs?
Most head chefs are covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. The award does not have a specific 'head chef' classification; instead, roles are graded as cook (tradesperson) levels or managerial staff. Many head chefs are paid above the award rate, often through an annualised wage agreement.