Chef Salary Australia: Where Does It Sit Against the National Average?
If you are a chef or considering a career in the kitchen, you probably want to know how your pay compares to the typical Australian worker. The short answer is that the median chef salary in Australia is noticeably lower than the national full-time average. But the gap can close—or even reverse—depending on where you work, your experience, and the type of establishment.
The National Benchmark
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes the most widely used measure of typical earnings: the Average Weekly Earnings survey. For May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the line that Average line uses as its reference point.
Separately, the ABS also reports medians. The full-time adult median (from the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, August 2025) is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. Medians are less affected by very high or very low incomes, so they often give a better sense of what a typical worker earns.
The Chef Figure
The most current and authoritative figure for chefs comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which draws on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). It reports median full-time weekly earnings for chefs at $1,423, or about $74,000 a year. That is almost exactly the all-employees median, but well below the full-time adult median of $1,741 a week ($90,532).
Why the gap? The national full-time average is boosted by high-paying sectors like mining, finance, and professional services. Hospitality, where most chefs work, tends to have lower pay. The award minimums for hospitality workers are also relatively low.
Award Rates and Minimum Pay
Chefs are often covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award or the Restaurant Industry Award. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week (about $52,255 a year). That is the floor. A Level 2 cook (a common classification for chefs) under the Hospitality Award earns $27.08 an hour, or $1,029.10 a week—still well below the national average.
However, many chefs are paid above award. The median of $1,423 a week suggests that the typical chef earns about 38% more than the award minimum. But that still leaves them short of the national full-time average by about $660 a week.
What Moves Chef Pay Above or Below the Average?
Several factors determine whether a chef’s salary rises above or stays below the national line:
- Experience and seniority: Executive chefs, head chefs, and sous chefs earn significantly more than commis or apprentice chefs. The median figure includes all levels, so a head chef in a fine-dining restaurant can earn $80,000–$100,000 or more.
- Location: State averages vary. The ABS reports full-time average weekly earnings by state (May 2026). For example, Western Australia averages $2,227.40 a week ($115,825 a year), while Tasmania averages $1,846.30 ($96,008). Chefs in high-cost cities like Sydney or Perth may command higher pay.
- Type of employer: Hotels, resorts, and high-end restaurants often pay above award. Casual dining and fast food tend to pay closer to the minimum.
- Qualifications: Formal training (e.g., a Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery) can lead to higher classifications and better pay.
- Penalty rates: Weekend, evening, and public holiday work attract penalty rates under the award, which can boost weekly earnings. However, the median figure likely already includes some penalty payments.
State-by-State Comparison
If you are a chef in Western Australia or the Australian Capital Territory, you are in states with the highest full-time averages. The table below shows the state full-time ordinary-time averages from the ABS (May 2026):
| State/Territory | Weekly Average | Annual Average |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $2,108.80 | $109,658 |
| Victoria | $2,041.10 | $106,137 |
| Queensland | $2,039.70 | $106,064 |
| South Australia | $1,970.20 | $102,450 |
| Western Australia | $2,227.40 | $115,825 |
| Tasmania | $1,846.30 | $96,008 |
| Northern Territory | $1,984.10 | $103,173 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $2,290.20 | $119,090 |
A chef earning the national median of $1,423 a week would be below every state average—even Tasmania’s. But a chef earning, say, $2,000 a week would be above the average in Tasmania and South Australia, but still below in WA and the ACT.
How to Use This Information
Place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares to the national average. You can also explore states and territories to see how location affects the benchmark. For a broader view of how different occupations stack up, visit job medians.
The Bottom Line
The typical chef in Australia earns about $74,000 a year—well below the national full-time average of $108,352. But that does not tell the whole story. With experience, a move to a higher-paying state, or a promotion to head chef, it is possible to cross the line. The award system provides a safety net, but the market rewards skill and reputation.
If you are a chef wondering where you stand, remember that the national average is just one reference point. Your actual pay depends on your specific role, location, and employer. Use the tools on this site to see how you measure up.