What is the minimum wage for a chef in Australia?

The minimum wage depends on the classification under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. A qualified chef (Cook tradesperson grade 3, Level 4) must be paid at least $29.45 per hour or $1,119.10 per week as of 1 July 2026. Less experienced cooks (e.g., Cook grade 1) start at $27.08 per hour. Apprentices and junior employees receive a percentage of these rates. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies only if no award covers the role.

How much does a chef earn on average in Australia?

There is no recent national average for chefs. The most reliable survey data is from the 2019 HILDA survey, which found a median hourly wage of $28.15 and a mean of $29.45 for chefs (excluding juniors and casual loading). Given wage increases since then, actual earnings are likely higher, but no current public figure is available. Many chefs earn above the award minimum through enterprise agreements or individual negotiation.

Does the chef salary include superannuation?

No. The superannuation guarantee is an employer contribution paid on top of the salary. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a chef earning the award minimum of $1,119.10 per week, the employer must add $134.29 per week in super, making the total employment cost $1,253.39 per week.

Chef Salary in Australia: Award Rates, Super, and Take-Home Pay in 2026

The legal minimum for a qualified chef under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 is $29.45 per hour (Level 4, tradesperson), with super of 12% on top.

Chef Salary in Australia: What You Need to Know

If you are searching for the chef salary in Australia, the answer depends on whether you are looking at the legal minimum, an industry average, or a negotiated rate. This guide breaks down the pay floor set by the Fair Work Commission, the award rates under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, and what a typical chef might take home after tax and super.

The Legal Minimum: Award Rates for Chefs

Most chefs in Australia are covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. Under this award, a chef is classified as a Cook at one of six levels. The minimum hourly and weekly rates from 1 July 2026 are:

Introductory level (first 6 months): $25.74/h, $978.10/week
Level 1 (Kitchen attendant grade 1): $26.44/h, $1,004.90/week
Level 2 (Cook grade 1): $27.08/h, $1,029.10/week
Level 3 (Cook grade 2): $27.97/h, $1,062.90/week
Level 4 (Cook tradesperson grade 3): $29.45/h, $1,119.10/week
Level 5 (Cook tradesperson grade 4): $31.30/h, $1,189.40/week
Level 6 (Cook tradesperson grade 5): $32.13/h, $1,221.10/week

A qualified chef who has completed a trade qualification is typically classified at Level 4 or above. These rates are the minimum; an enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, but the award rates are the relevant floor for most chefs.

Survey Averages vs. Award Rates

The most recent public data on chef earnings comes from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, analysed by the Attorney-General’s Department in 2021 using 2019 data. That survey found a median hourly wage of $28.15 and a mean of $29.45 for chefs (excluding juniors and casual loading). At the time, the award rate for a Level 4 chef was $22.70 per hour, so many chefs were earning well above the minimum. Since 2019, award rates have increased by about 30%, and market rates have likely risen too. However, no current national average is available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics or other official sources. The ABS reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all occupations were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, but this is not specific to chefs.

The Weekly Packet: Tax, Medicare, and Super

To understand what a chef actually takes home, consider a qualified chef on the award Level 4 rate of $1,119.10 per week. Annualised, that is $58,193.20. Using 2026-27 tax rates (with the full tax-free threshold):

Tax on $58,193: $9,380 (estimated)
Medicare levy (2% on income above $30,000): $1,164
Net annual income: $47,649
Weekly take-home: approximately $916

Superannuation is paid on top. The employer must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings, adding $6,983 per year or $134 per week. So the total employment cost is $65,176 per year, but the chef only receives the net pay. The super is locked away until retirement.

How the Figures Work

This site uses the official rates from the Fair Work Commission and the Fair Work Ombudsman. For award-free employees, the national minimum wage applies. For award-covered employees, the award rate is the minimum. Juniors, apprentices, and trainees may be paid a percentage of the adult rate. The Which minimum wage applies page can help you determine your coverage. For detailed rate tables, see Rate tables.

Negotiated Salaries and Enterprise Agreements

Many chefs earn more than the award minimum through enterprise agreements or individual negotiation. A salary that is at least 25% above the award minimum can be annualised, covering overtime and penalties. If you are negotiating a chef salary in Australia, use the award rate as a baseline and factor in super (12% on top) and any allowances for late nights, weekends, or public holidays.

Key Takeaways

The legal minimum for a qualified chef under the Hospitality Award is $29.45 per hour (Level 4).
No recent national average exists; the 2019 HILDA median was $28.15, but current rates are likely higher.
Super is an employer payment on top of the salary, currently 12%.
Take-home pay for a chef on the award minimum is about $916 per week after tax and Medicare.

For more guidance on how pay floors are calculated, visit How the figures work.