Cooks
On-the-job / entry-level Moderate growth · ANZSCO skill level 3 · occupation 3514
Cooks prepare, season and cook food in dining and catering establishments.
People employed30,700
Median pay$1,432per week, full-time
Projected growth+6%over 5 years (to 2030)
Recent growth-11.4%per year
Median age36
Female share52%
How do you get there?
Highest qualification held by people in this job: 15.3% university · 33.3% vet / tafe · 45.6% school / entry (ABS Census via JSA).
Where these jobs are
NSW 31.2% · VIC 24.2% · QLD 21.1% · WA 10.6% · SA 7.2% · TAS 2.4% · NT 1.8% · ACT 1.5%
Top industries
Accommodation and Food Services · Health Care and Social Assistance · Retail Trade.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation profiles (Feb 2026) + Employment Projections (May 2025–2035). © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Figures are national estimates.