Understanding Head Chef Salary: From Hourly Rates to Annual Pay Under the Award
A head chef under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 at Level 5 earns $31.30 per hour, or $1189.40 per week for 38 hours, equating to an annual salary of approximately $61,848 before tax and super.
Understanding Head Chef Salary: From Hourly Rates to Annual Pay
If you are negotiating a head chef salary or comparing job offers, it helps to convert the hourly rate into annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. In Australia, most hospitality employees work under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 and the standard full-time week is 38 hours. This article explains how to calculate your pay using the award rates, the National Minimum Wage, casual loading, and superannuation.
The 38-Hour Week and the Annual Formula
The basic formula for annual gross pay is:
Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For a full-time employee working 38 hours each week, you multiply the hourly rate by 38 and then by 52. For example, a head chef at Level 5 under the award earns $31.30 per hour. That gives:
- Weekly: $31.30 × 38 = $1,189.40
- Fortnightly: $1,189.40 × 2 = $2,378.80
- Annual: $1,189.40 × 52 = $61,848.80
This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances. It is a starting point for understanding your base pay.
Award Rates for Head Chefs
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides show that the Hospitality Award classifies cooks and chefs by skill level. A head chef is usually a tradesperson at Level 5 or Level 6. According to the award summary effective from 1 July 2026:
- Level 5 – Cook (tradesperson) grade 4: $31.30 per hour, $1,189.40 per week
- Level 6 – Cook (tradesperson) grade 5: $32.13 per hour, $1,221.10 per week
These rates are minimums. Some employers may pay above the award, but the award sets the legal floor. The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, but a head chef should be classified at a higher level.
Casual Loading and Penalty Rates
If you are employed as a casual head chef, you receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate. For Level 5, the casual rate becomes $31.30 × 1.25 = $39.13 per hour. This loading is paid instead of entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. The casual loading page explains how it interacts with penalty rates.
Penalty rates apply for evening, night, Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday work. For example, Saturday work is paid at 125% of the ordinary rate (for Level 5: $31.30 × 1.25 = $39.13 per hour). Overtime after 2 hours on weekdays is paid at 200%. These extras can significantly increase your take-home pay.
Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting
Many hospitality employers pay fortnightly. Using the weekly rate multiplied by two gives a consistent figure. For a Level 5 head chef:
- Fortnightly base: $1,189.40 × 2 = $2,378.80
- Fortnightly casual: $39.13 × 76 hours = $2,973.88
Knowing your fortnightly amount helps with budgeting and comparing salary packages.
Tax and Superannuation
Your annual gross pay is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office applies the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (generally). For a head chef earning $61,848, the tax would be roughly:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on $26,800 ($45,000 – $18,200) = $4,020
- 30% on $16,848 ($61,848 – $45,000) = $5,054.40
- Total tax ≈ $9,074.40
- Medicare levy (2%) ≈ $1,236.96
- Net annual ≈ $51,536.64
Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the Super Guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a $61,848 salary, the employer contributes an extra $7,421.76. This is not deducted from your pay; it is additional remuneration. See super and packaging for more details.
Distinguishing Minimum Wage, Award Rates, and Casual Loading
It is important to know the difference:
- National Minimum Wage: $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). Applies to employees not covered by an award.
- Award rates: Higher minimums for specific jobs. Head chefs under the Hospitality Award get $31.30 or $32.13 per hour.
- Casual loading: 25% added to the ordinary rate. Not included in the base rate.
- Super: 12% paid on top of ordinary earnings.
Always check your classification using the reference tables from the Fair Work Commission or the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.
Using the Timesheet Calculator
Our timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. It then calculates weekly, fortnightly, and annual figures, plus estimated tax and super. Remember to enter your ordinary rate (without casual loading) and tick the box if you are casual.
Summary
A head chef salary under the award can be estimated using the hourly rate multiplied by 38 hours and 52 weeks. For Level 5, that is about $61,848 per year before tax and super. Casual loading adds 25%, penalty rates can increase pay further, and super is paid on top. Use the formula and the resources on this site to compare offers and understand your true remuneration.
For more details on award classifications, visit the job pay page. To convert other hourly rates, see the hourly conversion guide.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.