Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Commis Chef
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Commis Chef supports the kitchen team with food preparation, basic cooking, plating, stock rotation and maintaining clean, safe work areas. Candidates are generally expected to have a genuine interest in hospitality, good teamwork and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a busy hotel kitchen. A relevant cookery qualification or commercial kitchen experience is helpful, although motivated applicants may be considered for entry-level training. The role requires flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays. Food safety awareness, a professional attitude, reliability and compliance with workplace health and safety standards are essential.
Can I work in Australia?
Never pay anyone for a visa or a job offer. A real employer pays the permit costs and never asks you for money.
How it works
How it works: Only Core Skills list jobs (chef, cook, hotel manager) can be sponsored, at AUD 79,423 a year or more; waiters and room attendants are not on the list.
Watch for: The Far North Queensland (Cairns) regional agreement lists waiter, bar and housekeeping supervisors and night auditors, with a pay floor 10% lower.
Official source: Federal Register of Legislation: Core Skills Occupation List for the Skills in Demand visa (Migration (Specification of Occupations, Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024, LIN 24/089, compilation of 7 November 2025). Checked November 2026.
What the job usually comes with in Australia
Usual for Australia, varies by employer. Checked November 2026.
| Housing | Island resorts rent staff a room in a staff village at low cost; city hotels vary |
|---|---|
| Meals | Island resorts: staff dining at low set prices or 20% off; city hotels vary |
| Flights | Varies by employer |
| Service charge | None; tipping is not expected; casuals get 25% extra and weekends earn penalty rates (by law) |
| Contract | Permanent, part-time or casual; probation of up to 6 months is common; sponsored visa up to 4 years |
| Leave | Full-time and part-time: 4 weeks' leave, 10 paid sick days, paid public holidays (by law); casuals none |
| Income tax | Residents: 0% to AUD 18,200, 15% to 45,000, 30% to 135,000, 37% to 190,000, then 45%; plus 2% Medicare levy |
Senior staff often get more than line staff, for example a single room or a yearly home flight. Ask the employer what the job includes before you accept.
Guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; your employer confirms the details for your case.
About Novotel Surfers Paradise
Novotel Surfers Paradise is part of Accor, a major international hospitality group operating hotels, resorts and lifestyle properties across more than 100 countries. Novotel is Accor’s midscale brand, known for comfortable accommodation, practical facilities and welcoming service for business and leisure travellers. Located in the centre of Surfers Paradise on Queensland’s Gold Coast, the hotel serves a varied mix of guests and offers access to restaurants, beaches, entertainment and conference facilities. Employees typically work in a multicultural environment with opportunities for training, career development and movement between Accor properties. The kitchen team supports hotel dining, events and guest services, making the Commis Chef role a useful starting point for building professional culinary experience in Australia’s tourism industry.