Chef Pay Rate Australia 2026
Minimum pay rates for chefs under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Chef Pay Rate
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009)
Chefs plan menus, prepare and cook food in commercial kitchens. Qualified chefs are typically classified at Level 3 or above under the Hospitality Award.
$26.10
Base rate/hr
$32.63
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$26.10
Hourly (Casual)
$32.63
Weekly (38hrs)
$991.80
Annual (Full-Time)
$51,573.60
What Award Covers Chefs?
Chefs in Australia are generally covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some chefs may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
Chef Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | Cook grade 3 (qualified) | $26.10 | $32.63 | $991.80 | $51,573.60 |
| Level 4 | Cook grade 4 (tradesperson cook) | $27.32 | $34.15 | $1,038.16 | $53,984.32 |
| Level 5 | Chef (experienced tradesperson) | $28.60 | $35.75 | $1,086.80 | $56,513.60 |
| Level 6 | Chef de partie / sous chef | $30.16 | $37.70 | $1,146.08 | $59,596.16 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Chef Pay Rate
Casual chefs receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $26.10/hr to $32.63/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual chef working 38 hours per week would earn $64,476.88 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-Time Chef Pay Rate
Part-time chefs receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($26.10/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Chef Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when chefs work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($26.10/hr base).
Saturday
$32.63/hr
1.25x base
Sunday
$39.15/hr
1.5x base
Public Holiday
$58.73/hr
2.25x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
Am I Being Underpaid as a Chef?
Chefs frequently work long hours in high-pressure environments. Common underpayment issues include unpaid overtime, split shifts without proper compensation, and failure to provide mandatory breaks.
If you earn less than $26.10/hr as a full-time or part-time chef, or less than $32.63/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a chef get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a chef in Australia is $26.10/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $32.63/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
What is the minimum wage for a chef?
Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009), the minimum wage for a chef starts at $26.10/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $991.80/week or $51,573.60/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $24.10/hr.
What award covers chefs?
Chefs in Australia are generally covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some chefs may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a chef?
A casual chef receives $32.63/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $26.10/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a chef?
Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, chefs receive: Saturday 1.25x ($32.63/hr), Sunday 1.5x ($39.15/hr), and Public Holiday 2.25x ($58.73/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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