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With your passion for food and the culinary arts, your role as a chef can be creative and fulfilling, offering some great benefits. Your skills are easily transferable across the country, giving you a choice to practice almost anywhere that takes your fancy. If you’re looking for a change of locale or to broaden your skill set, here are five things to know about landing Australian chef jobs right now!

1. Finding Chef Jobs Across Australia – Where Should You Look?

With more than 55,000 cafes, restaurants, and catering businesses across Australia, there are many opportunities for cooks and chefs. According to the National Skills Commission, demand for chef roles will increase by around 14% up to the year 2026. It will be no surprise that the higher population states — NSW, VIC, and QLD, have the highest number of chef roles.

Still, there’s more to consider than locale. For instance, are you looking to broaden your skill set by catering to large groups? Then a FIFO chef position in a remote mining location may be perfect for you. However, if you want to establish yourself in the fine dining scene, then a capital city may offer the right prospects.

2. Skill Set for Australian Chef Jobs

Now that you’re starting to get a feel for the specific chef vacancy you’re after, check that your trade qualifications and experience will fit the bill. Most Australian chef jobs require you to achieve a Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery.

You also require the ability to work with other team members, lead them or work on your own as needed. Good communication skills are essential.

 3. Roles and Pay rates

While pay rates vary across industries and individual firms, head and executive chefs can expect to earn considerably more than entry-level chefs. For example, a chef just starting out typically earns around the $60,000 to $65,000 mark, while an executive chef makes above $100,000.

Your recruitment agency can keep you updated on trends in pay rates, industries, and areas that pay above-average rates.

 4. Be Prepared for Screening Checks

Many organisations will require you to prove that you’re physically up to the chef role by passing a medical examination. Drug and alcohol testing may also be required before you begin the job. And a police check may also be called for. The larger the organisation you intend to work for, the more likely the requirement for these physical tests will be.

 5. Now Sell Yourself!

Brush up that resume, and gather those referee details. Show your potential employer how your experience and aspirations are the perfect fit for their chef role. If writing up another resume is the last thing you want to do, plenty of resume writing organisations are available to take that burden off your hands and make you look good.

Line Up Your Next Chef Job Now!

Before you start your hunt for Australian chef jobs, have a look at our extensive range of opportunities at FIFO chefs. Our specialist advice and support will help you quickly land your next job