Award pay for chefs and cooks from 1 July 2026: weekly, hourly, casual and weekend rates for every cook grade in the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, with take-home pay after tax in 2026–27.
A trade-qualified chef (cook grade 3) on the award minimum earns $29.45 an hour, $1,119.10 a week or about $58,193 a year, about $1,891 a fortnight after tax. Casuals get $36.81. Open in the pay calculator.
Chef and cook pay rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook grade 1 (Level 2) | $1,029.10 | $27.08 | $53,513 | $1,772 |
| Cook grade 2 (Level 3) | $1,062.90 | $27.97 | $55,271 | $1,817 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 3 (Level 4) | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 4 (Level 5) | $1,189.40 | $31.30 | $61,849 | $1,985 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 5 (Level 6) | $1,221.10 | $32.13 | $63,497 | $2,027 |
Weekend and public holiday rates (full-time and part-time, both awards)
| Classification | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook grade 1 (Level 2) | $33.85 | $40.62 | $60.93 |
| Cook grade 2 (Level 3) | $34.96 | $41.96 | $62.93 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 3 (Level 4) | $36.81 | $44.18 | $66.26 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 4 (Level 5) | $39.13 | $46.95 | $70.43 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 5 (Level 6) | $40.16 | $48.20 | $72.29 |
Casual rates (hotels, pubs and clubs)
| Classification | Hourly | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook grade 1 (Level 2) | $33.85 | $40.62 | $47.39 |
| Cook grade 2 (Level 3) | $34.96 | $41.96 | $48.95 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 3 (Level 4) | $36.81 | $44.18 | $51.54 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 4 (Level 5) | $39.13 | $46.95 | $54.78 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 5 (Level 6) | $40.16 | $48.20 | $56.23 |
Casual rates include the 25% casual loading. Monday to Friday evening work (7pm to midnight) gets an extra $2.95 an hour and night work (midnight to 7am) an extra $4.42.
Chefs in restaurants and cafés
Restaurants and cafés are covered by the Restaurant Industry Award 2020. Its full-time, part-time, Saturday and casual hourly rates for cooks are the same as above. Casual Sunday and public holiday rates differ:
| Classification | Casual Sunday | Casual public holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Cook grade 1 (Level 2) | $40.62 | $67.70 |
| Cook grade 2 (Level 3) | $48.95 | $69.93 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 3 (Level 4) | $51.54 | $73.63 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 4 (Level 5) | $54.78 | $78.25 |
| Cook (tradesperson) grade 5 (Level 6) | $56.23 | $80.33 |
The late night extra under the Restaurant award applies from 10pm to midnight ($2.95 an hour) and midnight to 6am ($4.42).
How it works
- The Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 covers cooks and chefs in hotels, pubs, clubs, casinos and accommodation; restaurants and cafés are under the Restaurant Industry Award 2020.
- Cook grades 3 to 5 are trade-qualified (tradesperson) levels; grades 1 and 2 are for less experienced cooks.
- A year here is the weekly rate × 52 for a 38-hour week, before penalty rates. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
How much does a chef earn in Australia?
The award minimum for a trade-qualified cook or chef is $29.45 to $32.13 an hour ($1,119.10 to $1,221.10 a week) from 1 July 2026, about $58,193 to $63,497 a year before penalty rates. Head chefs and chefs in larger kitchens are often paid well above the award.
What is the casual rate for a chef?
$36.81 to $40.16 an hour for a trade-qualified cook (grade 3 to 5), including the 25% casual loading. A cook grade 1 casual gets $33.85.
What do chefs get on Sundays and public holidays?
A full-time or part-time cook grade 3 gets $44.18 an hour on Sundays and $66.26 on public holidays; a casual gets $51.54 on Sundays.
How much does a chef take home?
On the cook grade 3 minimum of about $58,193 a year, take-home pay is about $1,891 a fortnight after tax in 2026–27.
Is there extra pay for late nights?
Yes. Monday to Friday work from 7pm to midnight attracts an extra $2.95 an hour, and midnight to 7am an extra $4.42 an hour.
When do the rates go up?
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year, after the Annual Wage Review. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also the penalty rates calculator, hourly rates after tax and carpenter and electrician pay.
Sources: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide MA000009 (published 24 June 2026), Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 [MA000009]; Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide MA000119 (published 24 June 2026), Restaurant Industry Award 2020 [MA000119]. Rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-21. General information only.