What to budget for senior kitchen and management roles in Melbourne, and the award minimums that apply to salaried staff from 1 July 2026.
Download the PDFSalary ranges by role
What a venue should budget to hire a capable person in each role in Melbourne. Where an award applies, the range starts at or above the minimum salary that can legally cover overtime and penalty rates. All figures are annual, full-time and exclude superannuation, payable on top at 12%.
| Role | Salary range | Range on a $50k to $150k scale | Award position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | |||
| Executive Chef | $110,000–$140,000 | Award-free | |
| Head Chef | $88,000–$100,000 | Award-free | |
| Sous Chef | $80,000–$90,000 | Award-free in most restaurantsHotels: may be Managerial Staff (Hotels), $79,521 all-inclusive minimum | |
| Junior Sous Chef | $80,000–$85,000 | Depends on dutiesIf cook grade 5: $79,371 all-inclusive minimum; $79,521 in hotels | |
| Chef de Partie | $80,000–$85,000 | Award-coveredCook grade 5: $79,371 all-inclusive minimum | |
| Management | |||
| General Manager | $110,000–$150,000 | Award-freeSingle-venue roles; hotel and multi-site GMs are paid above this range | |
| Assistant General Manager | $100,000–$120,000 | Award-free in most venuesHotels: may be Managerial Staff (Hotels), $79,521 all-inclusive minimum | |
| Operations Manager | $100,000–$120,000 | Award-free | |
| Venue Manager | $85,000–$110,000 | Award-freeSenior management | |
| F&B Manager | $80,000–$100,000 | Depends on dutiesIf classified as a supervisor: $77,311 all-inclusive minimum; $79,521 in hotels | |
| Restaurant Manager | $80,000–$90,000 | Depends on dutiesIf classified as a supervisor: $77,311 all-inclusive minimum | |
| Assistant Venue / Restaurant Manager | $78,000–$85,000 | Usually award-covered$77,311 all-inclusive minimum; $79,521 in hotels | |
| Bar Manager | $80,000–$85,000 | Depends on dutiesIf classified as a supervisor: $77,311 all-inclusive minimum | |
| Functions / Events Manager | $80,000–$85,000 | Depends on dutiesIf classified as a supervisor: $77,311 all-inclusive minimum | |
Award minimums for salaried staff
Chef de partie, junior sous chef, supervisor and assistant manager roles are usually covered by the Restaurant Industry Award or the Hospitality Industry (General) Award. Their minimum depends on what the salary is meant to cover.
| Classification | Award base rate38-hour week ×52 | All-inclusive minimumcovers overtime and penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Cook grade 4 (demi chef) / food and beverage supervisorLevel 5, both awards | $61,849 | $77,311 |
| Cook grade 5 (chef de partie)Level 6, both awards | $63,497 | $79,371 |
| Managerial Staff (Hotels)Hospitality Award only, e.g. assistant or duty manager | $63,617 | $79,521 |
| Award-free rolesNational Minimum Wage | $52,255 | Not applicable |
Example: can I pay an assistant manager $74,000?
Yes, if overtime and penalties are paid on top
$74,000 is above the award base rate of $61,849, so it is compliant as a base salary when overtime, penalty rates and allowances are paid in addition.
No, if it is meant to cover all hours
A salary that absorbs overtime and penalty rates must be at least 25% above the award rate: $77,311 for a restaurant supervisor, $79,521 for a hotel assistant manager.
Keep a copy
The same figures as this page, in a three-page PDF. Free, no email needed.
Download the guide (PDF, 3 pages)Sources. 273 Melbourne and Victorian job advertisements with stated pay, October 2026, cross-checked against SEEK salary data. Award figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman, effective 1 July 2026.
Disclaimer. General information only, not legal advice. Award coverage depends on the duties of each role. Check current rates at fairwork.gov.au.
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