Chef
As a Chef, you’ll have a direct influence on the morale and wellbeing of not only Army members but Navy and Air Force as well. You’ll prepare, cook and serve meals both in field kitchens, Navy vessels and Army establishments to meet the dietary needs of Defence members. Your responsibilities and duties extend far beyond just preparing meals.
What you'll do
Good food is a significant morale booster in the Army. A delicious and nutritious meal can greatly enhance the well-being and spirits of soldiers, especially when they are in challenging environments.
Being a Chef in the ADF involves a combination of culinary skills, logistical know-how, and the ability to perform under pressure. You’ll prepare and cook complete meals consisting of soups, entrees, main courses, sweets, cakes and pastries. It's a demanding yet rewarding role that directly contributes to the effectiveness and well-being of military members.
On occasions, you’ll also cook for functions. High standards are essential with great pride taken in the preparation of foods according to nutritional, dietary and cultural needs.
Your duties may include:
- meal preparation – planning, preparing, and cooking meals for service members
- nutrition – ensuring the nutritional needs of soldiers are met
- kitchen management – overseeing kitchen operations including ordering supplies, managing inventory, and ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are met
- field cooking – cooking in field conditions requires adaptability and resourcefulness
- training and mentorship – training new recruits in culinary skills and kitchen operations
- special events – preparing special meals for events, ceremonies, or visiting dignitaries
- disaster and emergency response – feeding large numbers of people, both military and civilians, often under difficult conditions.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.
You could advance through the ranks to positions of responsibility such as shift, kitchen and catering supervisors. After 3 years, you'll not only have Army trade proficiency but also excellent long-term employment prospects. Your trade training is fully accredited with your qualifications providing a broader scope for future employment opportunities.
You could be employed in units located in:
- Amberley, Qld
- Brisbane, Qld
- Darwin, NT
- Sydney, NSW
- Townsville, Qld.
In addition, there are potential postings on-board HMAS Adelaide and Canberra.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
The Army has taught me to be more confident as well as very organised in my life.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 58 years.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 4
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 2 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Army Recruit Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you'll take part in physical training, weapon handling, and shooting, first aid, drill, and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose, and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have accomplished. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Key components of the course include:
- Physical Fitness: Structured training to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness, preparing you for the physical demands of Army life.
- Field Craft: Learn how to live and operate in field conditions, including camouflage, movement techniques, and working in outdoor environments.
- Weapons Handling and Marksmanship: Safe handling, maintenance, and use of Army-issued weapons, and participating in live-fire exercises.
- Drill and Discipline: Develop attention to detail, teamwork and discipline through parade drill and military routine.
- First Aid and Battlefield Casualty Care: Gain essential life-saving skills and learn how to respond to injuries in both training and operational environments.
- Military Skills and Knowledge: Introduction to Army structure, values, customs, and basic soldier responsibilities.
- Resilience and Teamwork: Build mental resilience and learn to work effectively within a team in high-pressure situations.
On successful completion of the Army Recruit Course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade and have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade. You’ll then move on to your Initial Employment Training (IET), where you’ll learn the specific skills required for your chosen role.
Course: ADF Catering Operators Course
Duration: 27 weeks
Location: ADF School of Catering (ADFSC), HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Holmesglen Institute of TAFE in partnership with ADFSC delivers the Initial Employment Training (IET) for chef trainees. Initial chefs will be signed up as apprentices by Apprenticeships Victoria.
IET provides both practical and theoretical instruction in all aspects of cookery and kitchen activities.
- Kitchen safety.
- Hygiene.
- Knife handling, care and maintenance.
- Cooking techniques.
- Food inspection, preparation and storage.
- Food decoration and presentation.
- Meat recognition and handling.
- Field/deployment cookery which will include siting and establishment of a field kitchen, tentage and camouflage, and the operation and maintenance of field catering equipment.
Upon completion of IET, you'll be awarded a Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery).
Subject to completion of 3 years’ service as a chef and all relevant training, including successful completion of the ADF Chef's Workplace Journal, you'll be awarded chef trade papers.
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 58 years.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education is required with passes in English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application. You’ll also need to have completed an apprenticeship within the trade or an AQF 3 Certificate in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery).
Demonstrating currency of employment as a Chef, you’ll need a minimum of 2 years’ relevant industry experience, supported by documentary evidence of experience, training and competency attainment.
If you’re applying for qualified entry, you’ll need to provide original documents of your education, trade certificates, units of competency results and a current resume to your Careers Coach, who will establish your eligibility for qualified enlistment.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment before appointment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 4
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 2 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Army Recruit Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you'll take part in physical training, weapon handling, and shooting, first aid, drill, and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose, and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have accomplished. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Key components of the course include:
- Physical Fitness: Structured training to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness, preparing you for the physical demands of Army life.
- Field Craft: Learn how to live and operate in field conditions, including camouflage, movement techniques, and working in outdoor environments.
- Weapons Handling and Marksmanship: Safe handling, maintenance, and use of Army-issued weapons, and participating in live-fire exercises.
- Drill and Discipline: Develop attention to detail, teamwork and discipline through parade drill and military routine.
- First Aid and Battlefield Casualty Care: Gain essential life-saving skills and learn how to respond to injuries in both training and operational environments.
- Military Skills and Knowledge: Introduction to Army structure, values, customs, and basic soldier responsibilities.
- Resilience and Teamwork: Build mental resilience and learn to work effectively within a team in high-pressure situations.
On successful completion of the Army Recruit Course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade and have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade. You’ll then move on to your Initial Employment Training (IET), where you’ll learn the specific skills required for your chosen role.
Course: ADF Catering Operators Course
Duration: Up to 27 weeks depending on existing qualifications
Location: ADF School of Catering (ADFSC), HMAS Cerberus, VIC
After successfully completing Initial Military Training (IMT), qualified trainees are required to attend the Australian Defence Force School of Catering (ADFSC) located at HMAS Cerberus, Vic, for validation of original certificates. You may be required to satisfy a skills assessment conducted at ADFSC. ADFSC will identify any further training requirements needed.
IET provides both practical and theoretical instruction in all aspects of cookery and kitchen activities.
- Kitchen safety.
- Hygiene.
- Knife handling, care and maintenance.
- Cooking techniques.
- Food inspection, preparation and storage.
- Food decoration and presentation.
- Meat recognition and handling.
- Field/deployment cookery which will include siting and establishment of a field kitchen, tentage and camouflage, and the operation and maintenance of field catering equipment.
Upon completion of IET, you'll be awarded a Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery).
Subject to completion of 3 years’ service as a chef and all relevant training, including successful completion of the ADF Chef's Workplace Journal, you'll be awarded chef trade papers.
Qualified entry Chefs will also be issued the ADF Electronic Capability Evidence Journal for the recording of further capability training.