Chef salary in Australia: what the data says
If you are looking at a chef salary in Australia, the most current official figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. That survey gives the median full-time weekly earnings for chefs as $1,423. Over a full year (52 weeks) that is about $73,996 before tax. The median hourly earnings for chefs are $37 per hour.
This figure is a median, meaning half of all full-time chefs earn more and half earn less. It is not an average, which can be pulled up by a small number of very high earners. The ABS publishes this median specifically for non-managerial full-time adult employees, which gives a clearer picture of what a typical chef takes home.
How the chef median compares to national benchmarks
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings (the line on this site) is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The national full-time median is about $1,741 per week ($90,532 per year). The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $1,425 per week ($74,100 per year).
So the chef median of $1,423 per week is:
- 32% below the national full-time average ($2,083.70)
- 18% below the national full-time median ($1,741)
- Almost exactly equal to the all-employees median ($1,425)
Chefs work an average of 43 hours per week, according to Jobs and Skills Australia, which is close to the national average of 44 hours for full-time workers. That means the lower weekly pay is not because chefs work fewer hours; it reflects lower hourly rates compared to many other professions.
Award rates for chefs
Chefs and cooks are covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum award rates for key classifications are:
| Classification | Weekly pay | Hourly pay |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 cook grade 1 (entry-level chef) | $1,029.10 | $27.08 |
| Level 1 kitchen attendant grade 1 | $1,004.90 | $26.44 |
| Introductory level | $978.10 | $25.74 |
These are minimum rates. Many chefs are paid above the award, especially those with experience or in higher-level roles such as sous chef or head chef. The median of $1,423 per week is well above the Level 2 award rate, confirming that most chefs earn more than the minimum.
Reading the same pay as a year, a week, and an hour
One of the most useful ways to understand a salary is to see it in all three common formats. For a chef earning the median:
- Yearly: $73,996 (52 weeks × $1,423)
- Weekly: $1,423
- Hourly: $37 (based on median hourly earnings from the ABS)
If you are paid under the award, your weekly rate is set by the classification. For example, a Level 2 cook on $27.08 per hour working 38 hours would earn $1,029.10 per week, or about $53,513 per year. But most chefs work more than 38 hours; the average is 43 hours, which would bring weekly pay to about $1,164 at the award rate, still below the median.
State-by-state comparison
Chef salaries vary by location, though the ABS does not publish state-level data specifically for chefs. However, the national full-time average for each state gives context. The highest full-time average is in the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090 per year) and Western Australia ($115,825). The lowest is in Tasmania ($96,008). Chefs in higher-cost states may earn more, but the national median of $73,996 is below every state average, reflecting the relatively lower pay in hospitality.
See how your state compares to the national average
How the figures are set
The chef median comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, which is conducted every two years. The most recent data is from May 2025. The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, published twice a year (May and November). The award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and updated each July.
Learn more about how the figures are set
What this means for your pay
If you are a chef, your salary likely falls somewhere between the award minimum and the median, depending on your experience, location, and employer. The median of $1,423 per week is a useful benchmark: if you earn less, you may be below the typical chef; if you earn more, you are above half of all chefs.
For comparison, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week ($52,255 per year). The chef award minimums are slightly above that for most classifications.
Tax on a chef salary
For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A chef earning the median of $73,996 would pay roughly $13,000 in tax plus Medicare, leaving about $61,000 after tax. This is a rough estimate; individual circumstances vary.
Where to find more
If you want to see where your own salary sits on the line, you can place a salary on the line and compare it to the national full-time average. For industry-specific medians, check the job medians page. For more guides on understanding pay in Australia, visit the guides section.
Summary
The chef salary in Australia, based on the most recent ABS data, has a median of $1,423 per week ($73,996 per year). This is significantly below the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) and below the national full-time median. Award minimums start at $27.08 per hour for a Level 2 cook. Use the figures on this page as a guide; your actual pay may differ based on experience, location, and employer.