Chef salary Australia 2026–27: Award rates, median pay and take-home explained
Chef salaries vary widely; award minimum for a trade-qualified cook is $58,193 a year, while the median full-time chef earns about $1,423 a week before tax.
Understanding your chef salary in Australia
If you’re a chef or cook in Australia, the figure you see on a job advertisement or in your contract can be very different from what lands in your bank account. This guide breaks down the award minimums, median earnings, and the gap between gross salary, package, and take-home pay.
Award minimums for chefs and cooks
From 1 July 2026, the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 sets minimum pay rates for chefs and cooks in hotels, pubs, clubs, and accommodation. Restaurants and cafés are covered by the Restaurant Industry Award 2020, but the hourly rates for cooks are the same.
A trade-qualified cook (grade 3) earns at least $29.45 an hour, $1,119.10 a week, or about $58,193 a year before penalty rates and super. More experienced tradespeople at grade 4 earn $31.30 an hour ($61,849 a year) and grade 5 earn $32.13 an hour ($63,497 a year). Less experienced cooks (grades 1 and 2) start at $27.08 and $27.97 an hour respectively.
These are the minimums. Casuals receive a 25% loading, so a grade 3 casual gets $36.81 an hour. Weekend and public holiday rates are higher—for example, a full-time grade 3 earns $44.18 on Sundays and $66.26 on public holidays.
Median chef earnings
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time chef earns $1,423 a week before tax, or about $74,000 a year (based on a 43-hour week). This is higher than the award minimum because many chefs work in larger kitchens or hold supervisory roles. The median hourly rate is $37, compared to $47 for all occupations.
From gross salary to take-home pay
Your gross salary is the amount before tax, Medicare, and any salary sacrifice arrangements. Take-home pay is what you actually receive. For a chef on the grade 3 award minimum of $58,193 a year, the estimated take-home is about $1,891 a fortnight after tax and the Medicare levy in 2026–27.
Here’s how the numbers work using the Take-home pay calculator:
- Gross annual salary: $58,193
- Income tax: $7,978 (includes the low-income tax offset)
- Medicare levy (2%): $1,164
- Total deductions: $9,142
- Net annual take-home: $49,051
- Per fortnight: $1,886 (close to the published $1,891 due to rounding)
Remember, this is for a full-time employee with no HELP debt or Medicare levy surcharge. Your actual take-home may differ.
Common mix-ups: salary, package, and take-home
One of the biggest confusions is between a salary package and a base salary. A package often includes superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) and other benefits. For example, a job ad quoting “$70,000 package” might mean $62,500 base salary plus $7,500 super. Your take-home is calculated on the base salary, not the package.
Another mix-up is confusing the award minimum with what you’ll actually earn. Many chefs are paid above the award, especially in high-end restaurants or as head chefs. Always check whether a quoted figure is the base rate or includes penalties and loadings.
How to estimate your own take-home
Use the Clearance tool to see what your specific salary means after tax. The Tax and Medicare page explains the thresholds and offsets. For 2026–27, the Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, with reduced rates for low earners (the single thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013).
Questions
What is the difference between a chef salary and a salary package?
A salary package often includes superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) and may include benefits like meals or accommodation. Your gross salary is the cash amount before tax and super. Take-home pay is what you receive after tax and the Medicare levy. Always check whether a quoted figure is base salary or total package.
How much tax will I pay on a chef salary of $60,000?
On $60,000 in 2026–27, you pay $4,020 plus 30c for each dollar over $45,000, plus the 2% Medicare levy. That works out to about $8,520 in tax and $1,200 in Medicare, leaving roughly $50,280 take-home. This is an estimate; your exact amount depends on your tax file number, any deductions, and whether you have a HELP debt.
Are award rates the same as the minimum wage for chefs?
No. The national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, but the Hospitality Industry Award sets higher minimums for chefs. A trade-qualified cook (grade 3) earns at least $29.45 an hour. Many chefs are paid above the award, especially in fine dining or head chef roles.