Private Chef jobs in Melbourne, VIC typically pay A$52–A$105 an hour (about A$9,000–A$18,150 a month full time). Both live-in and live-out positions are offered, with a usual schedule of full-time, often rotational. Employers ask for fine-dining or Michelin-level experience and a national police check and. Register with AvailJob to be matched with families hiring in Melbourne.
- Typical pay
- A$52–A$105
- per hour
- Full-time monthly
- A$9,000–A$18,150
- about 40 hours a week
- Live-in
- Sometimes
- accommodation provided
- Schedule
- Full-time
- often rotational
- Open now
- 0
- register to be matched
Open private chef positions in Melbourne
No open position is listed for Melbourne today. New private chef jobs are added as families hire. Register once and we will match you to the next opening near you.
Register as a Private ChefAbout private chef jobs in Melbourne
Working as a private chef in Melbourne, VIC means joining a private household. The private chef runs the kitchen of a private residence or estate to fine-dining standards, often travelling with the family, and families across Greater Melbourne hire for this role all year round.
Melbourne is known for healthcare, education, technology, and advanced manufacturing, and many of the families who hire domestic staff here work for employers such as ANZ, NAB, Telstra, Monash Health, CSL, and the University of Melbourne. Melbourne's Parkville precinct is one of the largest biomedical research concentrations in the Southern Hemisphere.
Main duties
- Create bespoke menus for the principal and guests
- Cook for dinner parties and formal events
- Manage kitchen staff, suppliers and wine pairings
- Travel to secondary residences or yachts when required
- Maintain discretion and confidentiality
Private Chef pay in Melbourne
Household incomes in Melbourne are shaped by an average local salary of around A$92,000, which is why private chef pay here sits above the Australia average. Pay rises with experience, references, live-in flexibility and extra duties such as driving or cooking.
Indicative ranges for 2026 based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.
A day as a private chef
- 7:00Breakfast service
- 9:30Shopping & prep
- 12:30Lunch
- 15:00Batch cooking
- 18:30Dinner & clean-down
Why work in Melbourne?
The local job market is growing at 3.7% annually, so demand for reliable household staff keeps rising as more dual-income families move to Melbourne.
Melbourne is often described as “Medical Research and Education Capital”, and its households expect a professional standard of service.
Requirements
What families ask for
- Fine-dining or Michelin-level experience
- Private service references
- Food safety certificate
- Flexibility to travel
Working in Australia
- Right to work in Australia: Workers must hold a visa with work rights; check eligibility through the government’s VEVO service.
- Checks: employers usually ask for a national police check and, for roles with children, a state Working With Children Check; NDIS worker screening applies to some disability support roles.
- Minimum pay: wages must meet the national minimum wage or the applicable award rate.
- Contract: A written agreement covering hours, pay rates, penalty rates and leave is strongly recommended.
Live-in or live-out?
Most private chef roles in Melbourne are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days. Ask whether travel time between homes, evenings or weekends are paid at a higher rate.
How to get hired
- Register
Create your profile with your private chef experience, availability and references.
- Verification
Complete Australia right-to-work and background checks.
- Interview & trial
Meet the family and work a short, paid trial day.
- Contract & start
Agree pay, hours and leave in writing before you start.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private chef earn in Melbourne, VIC?
Private Chef jobs in Melbourne, VIC typically pay A$52–A$105 an hour (about A$9,000–A$18,150 a month full time). Experience, live-in arrangements, hours and extra duties move pay within this range.
Are there live-in private chef jobs in Melbourne?
Both live-in and live-out positions are offered. Most private chef roles in Melbourne are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days.
What do I need to work as a private chef in Australia?
Employers ask for fine-dining or Michelin-level experience, private service references and a national police check and. You must also have the right to work in Australia.
What does a private chef do day to day?
A private chef runs the kitchen of a private residence or estate to fine-dining standards, often travelling with the family. Typical duties include create bespoke menus for the principal and guests, cook for dinner parties and formal events, manage kitchen staff, suppliers and wine pairings.
How do I apply for private chef jobs in Melbourne on AvailJob?
Register your profile with your experience, availability and references. When a family in Melbourne hires for this role, you are matched and contacted.
What hours does a private chef work?
A typical schedule is full-time, often rotational. Hours, days off and overtime should be written into your contract.