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Chef

Find out more about working as a chef and the possible pathways to job opportunities.

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If you love cooking and food, enjoy working with people and thrive under pressure, Victoria needs you.

Find out what a chef does and the related Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and pathways you can take to secure a job.

What is a chef?

Chefs work in the kitchens of restaurants, bars, hotels, cafés and caterers. As a chef, you’ll be responsible for cooking food to a professional standard. You’ll also manage day-to-day kitchen operations including stock, safety and compliance. You may also design menus to meet changing consumer needs.

Find out more about chefs(opens in a new window) and related jobs on the Victorian Skills Gateway:

Explore these related TAFE and training courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):

You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course.

Median salary

The median weekly earnings for chefs in Australia is $1,330.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia(opens in a new window)

Note this salary is current as of January 2024 and is indicative only. A range of salaries apply to different roles across the industry.

Job demand in Victoria

Below are the employment projections for chef jobs in Victoria. Figures show the number of workers in 2024 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2027 and 2034.

‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 and 10 years. These projections are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.

Region Workers 2024 New workers expected by 2027 New workers expected by 2034
Victoria 32,438 1,895 10,686
Melbourne – inner metropolitan 7,682 542 2,748
Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan 3,256 150 903
Melbourne – southern metropolitan 4,099 190 1,210
Melbourne – northern metropolitan 3,573 257 1,407
Melbourne – eastern metropolitan 3,550 142 989
Melbourne – western metropolitan 3,206 301 1,466
Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) 858 40 299
Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) 934 56 234
Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) 1,845 102 742
Gippsland 1,195 60 274
Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) 190 <10 38
Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) 366 <10 63
Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) 466 23 89
Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) 724 31 147
Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) 490 <10 78

Source: Victorian Skills Authority Employment Projections Dashboard

Career stories

Sanny Liu case study

Pivot in the pandemic: Sanny’s journey into a commercial kitchen

“I chose to get formal training because I knew it would open doors for me to apply for jobs. There are a lot of senior chefs looking after all the young chefs and willing to provide opportunities.“

Leela Subramaniam case study

Leela savours success as a junior sous chef

”I found a supportive community with my peers and teachers. They played an important role in refining my culinary skills. Chefs are one of the most in-demand jobs, so there’s lots of opportunity.“

Resources to plan your next steps

Visit our accommodation and food services industry profile to find out about:

Explore growing industries in your region

Training and careers in your region

Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Training and careers in growing industries

Learn about high demand industries in Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of jobs you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Updated 7 January 2025

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