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How to become a Pastry Chef in Australia

How to become a Pastry Chef in Australia

Are you a qualified pastry chef? Do you want to work in Australia? You can! In this profession, you can even be sponsored under a TSS visa! In this article, we discuss the working conditions and salaries of a chef. We also hear from Ino, a pastry chef who was awarded a sponsorship in Australia.

Working in catering / baking in Australia

Working conditions

Working as a chef in Australia is a rewarding yet challenging job that comes with unique obstacles. While hearing about it is one thing, experiencing it firsthand is a different story altogether.

One of the biggest challenges is the small amount of breaks, long working hours, heavy lifting, and extreme heat during the summer months, where temperatures can reach up to 45 degrees Celsius. As a chef working abroad, learning the language quickly is also crucial as communication plays a significant role in the profession. Pressure can escalate quickly and unexpectedly, so managing it effectively is a must.

The ultimate goal is to be ready for the evening rush, and achieving that requires giving your best every day. Some days, every step can feel burdensome, every effort can be painful, and intense fatigue can set in. Despite these challenges, the satisfaction of pleasing guests makes it all worthwhile. Moreover, having colleagues to share the experience with is invaluable.

As a chef in Australia, you are part of a unique and vibrant industry that values hard work, creativity, and passion. Although the job can be demanding, it is also highly rewarding, and it allows you to build lifelong connections with people who share the same passion for food and service.

Working in Australia

Working in Australia in your field of training is a unique experience and can open doors for you to stay in the country if you wish. Depending on your skills and experience, you can be sponsored under a TSS visa as a Chef in Australia. 

Salary

A Pastry Chef is typically paid a fixed salary per week, rather than by the hour. However, it’s important to understand that this salary is earned by working long hours, often without a break. In fact, a typical workday can range from 12 to 14 hours, 5 days a week. This kind of work requires a great deal of passion and dedication.

The annual salary for a Pastry Chef can vary depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and location of the business. Salaries can range from $60,000 to $110,000 per year.

To work as a Chef in a restaurant, it’s important to have a strong mind, positive attitude, and be passionate. The work can be demanding, but the rewards can be very fulfilling.

How to find a job in pastry / catering in Australia?

There are several options for starting your search in Australia. First of all, ensure you are equipped with a good CV (resume).

You can then begin your search by browsing job search engines. Among these sites are:

There are a variety of job opportunities available for Working Holiday Visa makers. These positions can range from sales and kitchen roles to service or catering positions, and may not require significant prior experience. However, getting these type of positions may depend on being in the right place at the right time.

Another option is to directly approach restaurants, cafes, or bakeries in the city you are interested in working in. You can drop off your resume and inquire about job openings. We also recommend to ask to speak with a manager. Networking and building relationships with industry professionals can also be beneficial for job opportunities.

Feedback from Inò

Ali and Inò are both in their thirties and share a passion for travel. They have been working in hospitality for years, with Ali working as a waitress and bartender in various restaurants and Inò working as a chef in a luxury brasserie. Their jobs allow them to work and travel internationally, which has fuelled their desire to move abroad and explore new cultures.

Inò’s Journey

Inò has a certificate and a professional patent in pastry and baking. Among all his experiences, he worked for 1 year in Liverpool and 1 year at Bocuse in Florida, USA. He has been able to continuously develop his skills as a pastry chef and baker. Inò is deeply passionate about pastry and is constantly seeking ways to enhance his creativity and expertise. He creates new and innovative sweet recipes.

Moving to Australia

Ali was eligible for a working holiday visa, while Inò had the opportunity to obtain a sponsorship due to his position as a chef on the CSOL list of wanted jobs. They carefully assessed the job market in the catering industry, reviewed the necessary administrative procedures, discussed their budget, and informed their loved ones before embarking on their journey.

After scouring classified ads on an Australian forum, they found a job as a chef at a recently opened restaurant. Inò’s qualifications and experience exceeded the requirements, and the boss was immediately interested in his resume. They agreed on a promise of sponsorship following a few days of trial. They were also offered accommodation in the form of HelpX by the boss’s family while waiting for the contract to be signed.

Ali obtained a working holiday visa, while Inò had a tourist visa that was valid for three months. However, obtaining a sponsorship visa by a company involved a lengthy process and significant costs for both the candidate and the sponsor. Unfortunately, the company who had promised sponsorship to Inò could not invest due to the high costs involved.

Thankfully, they were able to secure another job at a dining restaurant in Pokolbin, New South Wales. Inò became the pastry chef, while Ali became kitchen hand. With the help of their new employer’s sponsorship, they both obtained temporary residence visas for four years.

Daily life at “Muse Restaurant”

Working as a chef at “Muse Restaurant” is more than just a job, it’s like having a second family. We work alongside people who are going through the same journey as us, and our colleagues have become more than just friends – they’re like brothers. On our days off, we enjoy going camping together, having poker nights, or dining at restaurants. We also like to relax with a cold beer at the local pub.

What’s even more amazing is that our boss and Head Chef at Muse genuinely cares about our well-being, and this shows in his constant support and comfort every day. It’s not just about our profession; it’s also about our passion and shared life. Working at Muse Restaurant is a truly unique and enriching experience, and we feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful team.

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