How a Chef Apprenticeship Can Benefit Your Career
Do you dream of working as a professional chef? To start your journey on this exciting career path, which may see you working in restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and more, it’s best to complete an Australian apprenticeship.
Whether you dream of working at a Michelin-star restaurant, setting up your own trendy cafe, or working in any other culinary capacity, taking on a chef apprenticeship will be an incredible stepping stone towards a rewarding career as a skilled chef.
What Qualifications Do I Need to be a Chef?
While specific qualifications aren’t necessary to be a chef (with legends such as Heston Blumenthal being completely self-taught), it’s smart to complete an apprenticeship and gain a vocational qualification as the culinary arts are a trades-based profession in Australia.
In fact, what distinguishes a chef from a cook is the professional qualifications that need to be obtained. Chefs are tasked with innovating in the kitchen, with training being key for a successful career as a professional chef. This means you’ll need a mix of formal education and on-the-job training. A chef apprenticeship is a perfect solution, combining a work placement with theoretical learning.
What To Expect In Your Chef Apprenticeship
As an apprentice chef, you’ll be placed in a training contract with an employer who will equip you with the skills needed for your trade. You will typically spend four days a week with your employer over a three-year period, developing valuable work experience.
For the remainder of the time (typically one day a week), you will undergo formal studies at a vocational education and training institution or perhaps a culinary arts school.
Thanks to your chef apprenticeship, you’ll build knowledge and skills, gain nationally-recognised qualifications, and be able to earn while you learn. As a benchmark, a first-year apprentice who is under 21 years of age and working full-time can expect to earn $11.34 per hour ($430.82 a week) under the Restaurant Industry Award 2010 (MA000119).
Mature-age apprentices, which includes anybody over 21, earn a higher wage. You’ll also be able to enjoy penalties for working on weekends, public holidays, late at night, and early in the morning, which there is certainly a lot of in the hospitality industry.
To kickstart your training, you may wish to consider a Certificate III or Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, a Certificate III or IV in Patisserie, or a Certificate IV in Hospitality course at a registered training organisation to kickstart your chef apprenticeship.
Your chef apprenticeship and qualification will take you far in your career, helping you secure a job upon completing your training or even work internationally as a qualified chef.
Ben’s Career Journey: How a Professional Chef Became a Sustainable Food Educator
Chef Salaries and Career Progression
Upon completion of their training, chefs are able to specialise in a particular type of cooking. Some popular career paths including becoming a personal chef, hotel chef, restaurant chef, catering chef or a private chef for a corporate client.
Depending on the restaurant, speciality chef roles might exist to focus on particular parts of the menu, such as sauciers (sauces), poissonniers (fish), rôtisseurs (roast meats), entremetteurs (vegetables), entremetteurs (vegetables) and pâtissier (pastries and desserts).
The potential for career progression is strong, with the typical kitchen hierarchy from bottom to top being:
- Station Chefs – Also called line cooks or chefs de partie, station chefs are in charge of specific food preparation duties. There will typically be several station chefs within a restaurant. According to PayScale, station chefs earn between $36,916–$57,885
- Sous Chef – The sous chef is the head chef’s assistant, often having direct oversight of the kitchen staff. According to PayScale, sous chefs typically earn $42,638–$64,184
- Head/Executive Chef – The head or executive chef runs the kitchen, creates the menu and oversees all the other staff. According to PayScale, head chefs earn between $45,120–$77,122 and executive chefs earn between $48,246–$108,804
Job Prospects for Chefs
A career as a chef has strong job prospects, with a 2015 report by Deloitte Access Economics indicating that 38,000 more chefs will be needed in Australia before 2020. Further, Seek has predicted a 16.7% projected job growth over the next 5 years.
Many chefs eventually decide to start their own restaurant or cafe, which means a business qualification might also come in handy later down the track.
Want to become a chef, but don’t know where to start? This guide will walk you through what you need to know about the industry, breaking down career paths and prospects, and giving you concrete next steps so you can start your career journey as a chef.
Your culinary journey starts here
Start your journey towards an exciting career as a chef by commencing your chef apprenticeship – browse our culinary arts certificates today!
Browse Results
Diploma of Counselling
There is a growing need for people who can offer support services to adults and teenagers who may need support and guidance. If you have the desire to help people lead a happier life to reach their full potential, a career as a professional Counsellor...
Diploma of Nursing (SA Only)
Build a meaningful career that makes a difference with the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing. This nationally recognised qualification provides the essential skills, knowledge, and practical training needed to become a qualified Enrolled Nurse in Australia....
Graduate Diploma in Management
The Graduate Diploma in Management is an online postgraduate qualification that is ideal for busy senior managers, with a potential entry pathway through any of our Graduate Certificates and study that is highly supported, fits into your schedule, and...
Graduate Certificate in Management
The Graduate Certificate in Management is an online postgraduate qualification that is designed for newer and ambitious professionals, with entry possible through management experience alone and a study structure that easily accommodates full-time work...
Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition)
Clinical nutritionists integrate traditional food wisdom and current scientific evidence to motivate individuals and communities to eat well and live healthier lives. The Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition) is supported by a strong underpin...
Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy)
Naturopathy is a whole medical system combining theory (philosophy and principles) and practise that uses an array of natural therapies to support healing and maintain health. Naturopaths aim to treat the underlying causes of illness and disease. The c...
Certificate III in Community Services (Perth Only)
Are you a natural when it comes to providing guidance to people? Would you like to kick start a career in Community Services? The Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015) is the perfect entry-level qualification for prospective Community Servic...
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing OR Disability) (Perth Only)
If you have a passion for helping those most in need, this qualification is one way you can utilise your knowledge for the benefit of others. Package the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability) (CHC33021) to save time and gain know...
Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education & Care (Perth Only)
If you love working with children and want to learn more about providing quality education and care in a range of environments, this course is for you. The Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) can provide you with an entry-l...
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) (SA Only)
The Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) is designed to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge to support people living with disability in a variety of care settings. With a focus on person-centred support, you’ll learn how to...
Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (VIC Only)
Our Promise We are confident in the delivery of our training. On successful completion of the course, graduates will be guaranteed a telephone interview for vacant Patient Transport Officer positions in the Non-Emergency Patient Transport division. So...
Certificate III in School-Based Education Support (Perth Only)
Are you interested in becoming a teacher’s aide? Work with teachers to create a comfortable and supportive environment for children’s learning. You will ensure lessons run smoothly while also developing the student’s literacy, numeracy and resear...
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (Perth Only)
A Certificate III in Allied Health is your entrance into the world of health services! This course will teach you to support workers in a range of fields such as audiology to social work. You will use your qualification to gain an entry-level job in ei...
Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture Therapies)
Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese Medicine that stimulates specific points on the body to regulate the flow of Qi (vital energy) to restore health and balance the functions of the body, mind and spirit. Acupuncture therapies combines Chinese medicine...
Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine)
Chinese medicine is a whole medical system that seeks to balance the functions of the body, mind and spirit and restore health. It combines theory (philosophies and principles) and practices including acupuncture, moxibustion, medical Qi Gong, Chinese...
Certificate III in Hospitality (Perth Only)
The SIT30622 Certificate III in Hospitality is the perfect qualification for those looking for a career in hospitality including working as barista, bar attendant, waiter/waitress. Whether you imagine working in a restaurant, hotel, motel, funky bar, c...
Diploma of Remedial Massage (WA Only)
The HLT52021 Diploma of Remedial Massage is a highly sought-after qualification, providing you with the essential skills and knowledge for a fulfilling career as a Remedial Massage Therapist. With projected job growth of 20.6% over the next 5 years, th...
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Make a difference in your community and enjoy a rewarding career. The past decade has seen a vast increase in the number of people needed for employment in the community and mental health services. One in three Australians will experience mental health...
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
Make a difference in your community and enjoy a rewarding career. If you want to help others in your community improve their lives and enjoy a rewarding career, consider studying the CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs. The Australian Go...
Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Make a difference in your community and enjoy a rewarding career. If you want to help others in your community improve their lives and enjoy a rewarding career, consider studying the CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs. The Australian Governmen...
Latest Articles
As one of Australia's most important industries, the agriculture industry offers great career opportunities. Read our career guide and get started today.
Want to read more?
Discover the most in-demand jobs in Australia for each industry, so you can pick a resilient and high-growth field — and secure your future.
Unsure how to respond to the selection criteria, “ability to work in a team environment”? This article will show you how to answer it suitably.
