How to Become a Chef in 2024

Are you a fan of all things culinary, with a passion for cooking up delicious meals? If you have a passion for cooking and you are full with creativity, you might want to think about becoming a chef.

Chefs are not just cooks. They are culinary experts with a deep understanding of creating a variety of dishes and playing around with different cuisines. Besides whipping up scrumptious meals, they ensure that food safety standards are maintained in the kitchen, along with the impeccable flavour of course!

To get started, you will need to have a Certificate IV in commercial cookery, which you will have earn through an apprenticeship. If you are aiming for senior roles like Executive Chef, Head Chef or Sous Chef, you might also need a Diploma in Hospitality Management after your graduation.

Stick around this post, as you are about to learn about Chef’s job duties, potential salary, necessary qualification, apprenticeship programs, education required, the time you will need to invest, and the steps for becoming a chef in Australia. Stay tuned!

Let us Understand Chefs better

Ever wondered what a chef really does? Well, a chef, simply put, is a professional cook. They are skilled in all the aspects related to food, from gathering a wide variety of ingredients to cooking up awesome dishes in the kitchen.

However, their job is not just about cooking mouth-watering food, but also about leading the kitchen team. They work together with the general manager to set business goals and even dream up new delicacies that goes on the menu.

Another important part of a chef’s job? They have to keep themselves updated with the restaurant’s weekly food supply and order whatever is needed, along with managing relationships with vendors.

And that, my friend, is what a chef does!

Know Different Kinds of Chefs

There are four main categories of chefs, each having its own special role. Know them better here:

• Station Chef / Line Cook / Chef de Partie: These people handle one specific part of the kitchen, like salads, sauces or deep fryers. They work under the watchful eyes of more senior chefs.
• Sous Chef: The sous chef takes on a supervisory role. They ensure all dishes coming out of their kitchen look and taste just right.
• Head Chef: These are the creative minds in the kitchen! They design menus, manage the kitchen staff, deal with suppliers, and oversee the budget.
• Executive Chef: This is the big boss of the chef world! They manage large restaurants, especially those with multiple outlets.

So now, you know the hierarchy in a restaurant kitchen. Remember, every chef, no matter his or her role, contributes to that delicious dish you enjoy.

Commercial Cookery Courses to Become Chef

Ready to become a chef? Enlisted are the two commercial cookery courses you need to study and be a chef in Australia.

Cert III in Commercial Cookery

Are you ready to sizzle up your culinary skills? Cert III in Commercial Cookery is the perfect course for you. This is a one-year course where you will be trained in two parts – classroom learning and practical training. In simple language, you will learn the recipes first and then actually cook them in the kitchen.

Now, this is a learning journey from the classroom to the kitchen. What about real-world experience? Well, we have you covered! After the course, you will need to complete a 10-week workplace training. Here, you will work in a hospitality place – a restaurant, hotel or cafe. Exciting, right? You will be a trainee chef and practice everything you have learned.

Cert IV in Commercial Cookery

If you are among the ambitious ones, then we have something for you. After completing Cert III in Commercial Cookery, you can enrol in Cert IV in Commercial Cookery course. This is a six-month course especially designed for the ones who want higher role in kitchen operations. By end of this course, you will become a fully qualified chef who can work independently with minimal guidance. Amazing, isn’t it?

How to Qualify for a Chef in Australia?

Although, you do not have to go through any specific qualifications for being a chef in Australia but, you must have an apprenticeship in a commercial kitchen and get some related training first.

Here are some steps to help you understand better:

• Finish your Year 10 education.
• Take on a TAFE chef apprenticeship that matches your cooking interests. You might want to think about doing a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, Certificate III in Bread Baking, or
• Certificate III in Patisserie.
• Get you career started by working as an entry-level kitchen role. This gives you some practical experience and the chance to develop your cooking skills.
• Do you have a particular style of cooking you want to focus on and able to work in senior roles? You must complete a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, a Diploma of Hospitality Management, and a Bachelor of Culinary Management.
• Do not forget, before you can start working as a chef, you need to get a chef certificate in Australia, like a food-handling certificate.

Migration Aspect of the Commercial Cookery Course

Step 1: Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)

After completing the Commercial Cookery course of two years, you are now eligible to apply for Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) under the graduate stream. To process this, you will need to obtain a Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) from Trade Recognition Australia (TRA). You might think of the process to be formal and difficult, but we have the answer for you.

Following is a list of everything you need for the application process:

• A valid student visa
• A qualification approved by CRICOS that is connected to the job being evaluated by the TRA
• Evidence of paid work or work placement of at least 360 hours, which is related to your obtained qualification and the job you have chosen
• This job experience or placement must have occurred within three years before you send in your PSA application.

Step 2: Apply for Graduate Temporary (subclass 485) Visa

If you have recently received a positive PSA, you are now eligible to apply for a 485 visa. Here is a quick look at the requirements you need to follow:

• Australian Study Requirement: You need to have completed at least 2 years of study in Australia.
• IELTS Score: You should achieve an overall score of 6 in your IELTS.
• Nominated Occupation: Your chosen job has to be on the MLTSSL.

As long as you have submitted all the necessary documents with your application, your application will be evaluated and your 485 visa will be granted. The visa will be good for one and half years or 18 months to be exact.

The Final Words!

In closing, becoming a chef in Australia is a journey of rigorous education, practical experiences, skills enhancements, and continuous learning. It requires passion, dedication, and a love for food. Despite its challenges, with the right skills, and commitment, achieving success in this profession is a rewarding prospect.

Asia Pacific Group understands your needs and assure you to provide the best solutions there is. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with our experts and turn your dream into reality.