Kitchenhands
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Kitchenhands assist kitchen and service staff in preparing and serving food, and clean food preparation and service areas.
Also known as: Kitchen Steward.
Specialisations: Dishwasher, Pantry Attendant, Sandwich Hand.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Kitchenhand. Some workers have a certificate II in hospitality or kitchen operations.
Tasks
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cleaning kitchens, food preparation areas and sculleries
-
cleaning cooking and general utensils used in kitchens and restaurants
-
transferring, weighing and checking supplies and equipment
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assembling and preparing ingredients for cooking, and preparing salads, savouries and sandwiches
-
packing food and beverage trays for serving
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cooking, toasting and heating simple food items
Characteristics
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
Administrative
-
Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow moderately
- is likely to reach 137,900 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 119,500 |
2012 | 121,100 |
2013 | 128,200 |
2014 | 128,000 |
2015 | 126,500 |
2016 | 131,100 |
2017 | 134,000 |
2018 | 130,800 |
2019 | 152,900 |
2020 | 123,200 |
2021 | 128,100 |
2026 | 137,900 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 19% of people employed as Kitchenhands work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 47 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $939 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $866
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,103
Median hourly earnings are $24, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Kitchenhands | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 939 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
-
Most Kitchenhands work in the Accommodation and food services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Kitchenhands | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 25.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.5 | 1.9 |
-
Around 41% of Kitchenhands live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Kitchenhands is 26 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 15 to 19 years.
Females make up 55% of the workforce. This is 7 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Kitchenhands | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 31.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 16.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 15.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 10.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 13.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.2 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 26 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Kitchenhand. Some workers have a certificate II in hospitality or kitchen operations.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Tourism, Travel and Hospitality VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Kitchenhands | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.1 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 8.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.9 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 10.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 31.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 11.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 29.9 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Kitchenhands who are reliable, work hard and have good people skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
34%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
32%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
30%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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30%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
29%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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29%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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29%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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27%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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27%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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27%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
27%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
25%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
25%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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23%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
21%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
21%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
20%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
18%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
18%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
41%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
39%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
34%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
33%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
33%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
29%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
27%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
26%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
25%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
24%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
24%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
23%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
22%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
21%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
20%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
19%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
18%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
17%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
16%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
41%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
39%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
37%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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37%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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37%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
36%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
36%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
36%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
34%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
34%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
34%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
34%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
-
34%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
32%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
32%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
32%
Speed of limb movementQuickly move the arms and legs.
-
30%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
29%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
29%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
27%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
54%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
41%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
41%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
38%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
36%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
36%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
33%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
33%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
32%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
31%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
30%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
30%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
28%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
27%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
27%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
26%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
24%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
24%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
23%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
22%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
86%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
38%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
38%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
67%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
67%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
29%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
24%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
24%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
24%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
99%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
83%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
80%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
79%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
79%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
79%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
78%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
77%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
77%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
76%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
76%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
75%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
75%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
73%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
72%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
69%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
65%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
63%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
62%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
62%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 35-2021.00 - Food Preparation Workers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.