Australia's multicultural society and vibrant hospitality sector provide numerous opportunities for aspiring chefs and community service workers. If you're passionate about food and culture, a combined Commercial Cookery and Community Services course may be your key to success.

Is there a Labour Shortage of Cooks in Australia’s Hospitality Industry?

The EPOS Now highlights a severe labour shortage in Australia’s hospitality industry, particularly among chefs, kitchen hands, and waiters. Factors like COVID-19, closed borders, and an aging workforce have led to difficulties in finding staff. This shortage results in long hours, high turnover, and challenges in maintaining service quality. To address this, many businesses offer higher wages, improved work conditions, and more flexible hours to attract and retain employees. Reference: Epos Now

Reasons to Consider the Commercial Cookery Program

• Unique Skill Set: Develop culinary expertise and gain the knowledge and skills to work in community services.
• Expanded Career Options: You can work in diverse settings. 
• Holistic Approach: Combine your passion for food with a desire to impact people's lives positively.
• Strong Job Prospects: Benefit from the high demand for commercial cookery and community services.

Course Package and Fees to Take in Becoming a Chef

What Qualifications Should You Study?

The Commercial Cookery Program consists of four nationally recognised qualifications that must be completed over a four-year period of study.

1. Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
2. Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
3. Diploma in Hospitality Management 
4. Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management (Optional)

The qualifications that should be included in the package are listed below:

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery: Provides foundational cooking skills, kitchen operations knowledge, and food safety practices.

• Duration: Typically 1.5 - 2 years

Certificate IV in Kitchen Management: This qualification pertains to chefs and cooks in supervisory or team-leading roles who operate independently and use discretion to solve non-routine problems. 

• Duration: Typically 6 months

Diploma in Hospitality Management: This qualification represents highly skilled senior operators who combine hospitality and managerial skills to coordinate operations. 

• Duration: 1 year

Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management: This qualification is for senior managers in hospitality. They have various skills and management knowledge, allowing them to oversee operations independently and make important business decisions. 

• Duration: 1 year

View our course page:  Commercial Cookery & Hospitality Management

How Much Does it Cost to Study Commercial Cookery in Australia?

The costs of studying Commercial Cookery & Hospitality Management courses in Australia can vary depending on the qualification, training provider, and location. Studyaway offers the cheapest fee at $26,000 to $35,000

View our course page:  Commercial Cookery & Hospitality Management

Career Progression Opportunities

Accelerate your career trajectory! Gain expertise and earn $85,000-$90,000 as a Hospitality Manager with an Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management.

Challenges and Rewards of Studying Commercial Cookery & Hospitality Management in Australia

Studying commercial cookery & hospitality management in Australia presents unique opportunities and challenges. Here is a breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses to guide your decision-making.

Rewards:

• Creativity in the Kitchen: Showcasing culinary skills to create delicious dishes. 

• Job Satisfaction: Positively impacting lives through community service. 

• Career Diversity: Exploring various settings and paths. 

• High Demand: Strong job prospects and growth potential.

Challenges

• Fast-Paced Environment: Commercial kitchens require working under pressure. 

• Irregular Hours: Shifts may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

• Physical Demands: Long periods of standing, heavy lifting, and hot environments.

• Emotional Demands: Supporting vulnerable individuals can be emotionally taxing.

Entry Requirements for International Students Studying Commercial Cookery & Hospitality Management in Australia

Entry into the commercial cookery package is relatively low, as the initial course is a Certificate III and accessible to most people. Entry requirements are listed below. However, opportunities for those with relevant work experience also exist.

1. Course Requirements (refer to the course package above)

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Secondary School Year 11 (pass) transcripts
• English Language Proficiency - - IELTS (5.5 to 6.0), TOEFL, PTE Academic)

2. Student Visa (subclass 500) Requirements

• Provide evidence of enrollment in an RTO offering the required course packaged for Commercial Cookery & Hospitality Management
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: Evidence of financial capacity to support your stay in Australia (tuition, living expenses).
• You must not have a history of visa refusals or overstays in Australia or other countries.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for all international students.
• You must meet Australia’s character requirements, including a police clearance from your home country.

Commercial Cookery Job Prospects 

Expertise in commercial cookery can contribute to the hospitality management industry. Here's a breakdown of the job prospects:

Cook - usually works in various commercial kitchens, from fine-dining restaurants to cafés and food trucks.

• With an average annual salary of $70,000 to $80,000

Chef - prepares ingredients and dishes in a kitchen

• With an average annual salary of $70,000 to $80,000

These salary ranges are approximations based on current data and can fluctuate depending on factors like experience, qualifications, and specific locations in Australia.

Post-Study Visas for Commercial Cookery Graduates

The great news is that there have always been stable pathways for Chef graduates to stay in Australia. However, you must work as a “Chef” and undergo a skills assessment to possess adequate skills and knowledge of the following:

• planning menus, estimating food and labour costs, and ordering food supplies
• monitoring the quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation
• discussing food preparation issues with Managers, Dietitians and kitchen and waiting staff
• demonstrating techniques and advising on cooking procedures
• preparing and cooking food
• explaining and enforcing hygiene regulations
• may select and train staff
• may freeze and preserve foods

Trades Recognition Authority is the skills assessment body that verifies the standing of those skills for all visa purposes

Here are the common visa pathways that chef graduates can pursue.

• Stay in Australia for 18 months.
• Travel, work or study during your stay in Australia
• Include members of your family
• Become eligible for skilled visas and pathways to permanent residency

To be eligible for this visa, you MUST be:

• be 35 years of age or under when you apply. *Exceptions apply
• be in Australia when you apply for this visa
• hold an eligible visa or have held a Student visa in the last 6 months
• qualify relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list
• have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list
• provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
• Provide evidence you applied for an Australian Federal Police check when you applied.
• provide evidence of the required level of English with your application.

2. Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Core Skills Stream

The visa includes the Core Skills Stream, Specialist Skill Stream, and Labour Agreement Stream. With this visa, you can:

• work in Australia for up to 4 years 
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
• if eligible, apply for permanent residence

To be eligible for this visa, you MUST be:

• be nominated to work in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
• have at least 1 year of relevant work (full-time or 2 years part-time) experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• have a relevant skills assessment 
• work only for your sponsor or associated entity 
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

Those who successfully acquire further stay visas can be eligible for Skilled Migration. This allows for Permanent Stay in Australia through the following visas:

Skilled Independent (subclass 189)

• workers with skills can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia
• You don’t need sponsors or nominators
• MUST be invited to apply
• MUST be under 45 years of age

Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)

• You must be nominated by the state or territory
• Must live and work in the nominating state or territory for at least two years
• Study, work, and stay in Australia permanently
• enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
• sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
• travel to and from Australia for 5 years
• if eligible, become an Australian citizen

Check specific requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website. This page provides the latest details and eligibility criteria for all relevant visas.

Studyaway is your partner throughout your stay in Australia, and we will guide you every step of the way, from student visas to graduate, work, and permanent residency, through our team of experts.

Start Your Commercial Cookery Journey with Studyaway!

Studying Commercial Cookery & Hospitality Management in Australia offers strong job prospects and the opportunity to make a real difference. 

At Studyaway, we provide expert support to help you choose the right course, manage visa options, and navigate your career path. With our affordable packages, we can make your dream of studying in Australia a reality. 

Here are some further readings to support you:

• Choosing the Right Course to Study in Australia: A Guide for International Students
• Navigate to our course page, Commercial Cookery & Hospitality Management
• Top Course to Study in Australia 
• Student Visa Requirements