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A Food Service Assistant works as part of the team in a commercial kitchen or restaurant. You’ll work alongside chefs and cooks to prepare meals for diners or for catering events. Food Service Assistants might get ingredients ready or prepare simple meals. You might ensure supplies are available when needed and may have to perform cleaning duties in the kitchen.
Food Service Assistants should be able to follow instructions and work as part of a team. It’s important that you can prioritise your tasks and complete your duties quickly. Food Service Assistants should be able to manage several tasks at once and cope with the demands of a busy kitchen environment. You might have to work irregular hours such as nights, weekends or holidays.
There are 2 courses available for people who want to become a Food Service Assistant.
Possible job outcomes:
Get a job as a commercial cook with the SIT30921 Certificate III in Catering. This nationally recognised qualification is perfect if you want to cook in catering outlets and bistros at public hospitals and aged care facilities — or even start your own mobile catering business. Competencies include: using food prep equipment, cooking and preparing simple dishes, cleaning kitchen premises and equipment, receiving and storing perishable stock, maintaining food safety, planning and costing out recipes. Enquire now for entry requirements, commercial catering career outcomes, and training providers near you that offer this qualification..
Average duration: 12 months.
The nationally recognised short-course SITXFSA005 Use Hygienic Practices for Food Safety is often referred to as ‘Hygiene for Food Handlers’ and is the industry standard for restaurant, cafe, and bistro workers in Australia. The course covers: identifying food hazards and preventing food contamination, following critical work procedures, cleaning and sanitising food handling areas correctly, maintaining personal hygiene and infection controls. Enquire now for entry requirements, food handling competencies, and upcoming enrolment dates in your area..
Average duration: 1 day.
In Australia, a full time Food Service Assistant generally earns $865 per week ($44,980 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
This profession has seen strong employment growth over the last five years. There are currently 136,900 people working in this industry in Australia and many of them specialise as a Food Service Assistant. Food Service Assistants may find work across all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
A Certificate III in Catering Operations is an excellent qualification if you’re planning a career as a Food Service Assistant. This course will give you the skills to prepare and present dishes and covers topics including basic cooking methods and food safety and hygiene. You’ll be able to specialise in an area of interest such as patisserie, wine and beverages, meat, seafood, soups and sauces, vegetables or poultry.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within cookery and catering. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Cookery and Catering
Apprentice Chef
$865 weekly pay
Catering Assistant
Cooks Assistant
Food Service Assistant
Kitchen Attendant
Sandwich Hand
Breakfast Chef
$1,150 weekly pay
Chef
Commis Chef
Cook
Demi Chef
Food Safety Supervisor
$1,050 weekly pay
Pastry Chef
Patissier
Pizza Chef
Chef de Partie
$1,350 weekly pay
Executive Chef
$1,730 weekly pay
Sous Chef
Learn more about Food Service Assistant courses in your area.