Chef
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$97,200
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Regional shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans and organises the preparation and cooking of food in a dining or catering establishment.
Specialisations
Scope note: Senior Chefs are excluded from this occupation. Senior Chefs are included in Occupation 161631 Senior Chef.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Assists in the planning of menus and determining food quantities and costs
- Prepares and cooks food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience
- Monitors food quality and presentation
- Manages and trains Cooks and Kitchenhands in food preparation, cooking techniques and food safety
- Orders and maintains inventory of food and kitchen supplies, ensuring it meets daily production needs
- Collaborates with management to develop new dishes and improve existing recipes
- Coordinates with front-of-house staff to ensure efficient food service
- Ensures compliance with health and safety regulations in the kitchen
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 2
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate IV in Asian Cookery
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Asian Cookery
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Cookery
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Patisserie
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Catering
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Patisserie
Progression pathway
Related study options
Bachelor
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Postgraduate & Master
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
621
ACT · May 2026
52
VIC · May 2026
606
NT · May 2026
35
SA · May 2026
209
NSW · May 2026
843
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+6%
7,199 projected jobs
to 2035
+12%
15,572 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Chef.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - West
7,230 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - West
7,230 employed
VIC
+9.51%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - South East
6,020 employed
VIC
+11.92%
year on year
- 3
Gold Coast
6,020 employed
QLD
+3.76%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - Inner
5,622 employed
VIC
-4.87%
year on year
- 5
Perth - South East
4,282 employed
WA
+19.01%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
112,740
Moved in from another occupation
16,810
Moved to another occupation
12,360
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
2
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 321131
- Last updated
- 2026-01-23
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2025 Shortage List + ABS EEH May 2025
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: verified.