Sous chef salary in Australia: which pay floor applies and what people mix up

Sous chef salary: the pay floor depends on where you work

When people search for a "sous chef salary", they often expect a single figure. In Australia, the answer is more nuanced. The legal minimum pay for a sous chef depends on whether their employer is covered by an industry award and, if so, which classification applies. This guide explains the different pay floors and clears up common misunderstandings.

Award coverage for sous chefs

The Fair Work Ombudsman states that a sous chef can be covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 if their employer operates in the hospitality industry and they fall within the Managerial staff (Hotels) classification. That classification sets a minimum annual salary of $63,617 (from 1 July 2026). This works out to about $32.20 per hour based on a 38‑hour week. The employer must also pay 12% superannuation on top.

However, many sous chefs work in restaurants, clubs, or other settings. The Restaurant Industry Award does not cover management duties, so a sous chef in a restaurant is generally award‑free. That means they are entitled only to the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) and the National Employment Standards. Some clubs may have their own award coverage. Always check the specific award that applies to your employer’s industry.

What the award minimum includes

The Hospitality Award’s managerial salary is a minimum for all ordinary hours and can be set up to cover penalty rates, overtime, and allowances if the employee and employer agree in writing (with a 25% loading). But the base salary cannot fall below the award minimum. If no such agreement exists, the employee must be paid separately for overtime and penalties.

Junior and apprentice rates

A sous chef who is under 21 may be paid a junior percentage of the relevant adult rate, but only if the award allows it. Under the Hospitality Award, junior employees (other than office employees) receive a percentage of the adult rate based on age (e.g., 70% at 18). Apprentice cooks have their own pay scales. For award‑free junior employees, the national minimum wage junior rates apply (e.g., $18.06 per hour at 18).

How the pay floor compares with typical earnings

The award minimum is a floor, not a median. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2026), full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. A sous chef’s actual salary will often be higher than the award minimum, especially in fine‑dining venues or large hotels. But there is no published median for the occupation. Employers and employees should negotiate based on experience, qualifications, and market conditions.

What about enterprise agreements?

Some hotels or restaurant groups have enterprise agreements that set higher pay rates or different conditions. An agreement cannot undercut the award minimum. If you are covered by an agreement, check its terms first.

Key takeaways

• Hotel sous chefs covered by the Hospitality Award: minimum $63,617 per year plus super.
• Restaurant or award‑free sous chefs: national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour plus super.
• Junior or apprentice rates may apply in limited circumstances.
• Superannuation (12%) is paid on top of the salary or wage.
• Enterprise agreements can set higher, but not lower, rates.

For more details on how to determine your correct pay floor, see our guide Which minimum wage applies and the Rate tables for current award and national minimum figures.

Sources

• Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (Fair Work Commission consolidated to 1 July 2026)
• Fair Work Ombudsman: Award coverage for a sous chef
• Australian Bureau of Statistics: Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026
• Fair Work Ombudsman: National minimum wage and junior rates

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.