Why Australia Must Invest in Chef Associations — and the Future of Our Hospitality Industry
/FOR COMMENT
Australia’s foodservice sector is entering a period of renewed momentum and sustained expansion. Industry forecasts point to strong growth in the years ahead, with market value expected to climb steadily and key segments—from full‑service dining to quick‑service and cloud‑kitchen formats—showing robust upward trajectories.
On paper, the future looks bright. But behind the growth curve lies a critical problem: Australia’s chef workforce is not keeping pace.
Despite sector expansion, the country is facing an entrenched and worsening chef shortage. Chefs remain listed in national shortage in almost every state and territory, a position the profession has held for four consecutive years. Employers report fewer qualified applicants, prolonged recruitment timelines, and persistent vacancy rates well above pre‑pandemic levels — especially in regional areas. Wages continue to rise as venues compete for limited talent, while apprenticeship uptake declines and completion rates fall. At the same time, experienced chefs are leaving the industry due to burnout, unsociable hours, and a lack of career progression, eroding the mentorship pipeline needed to train the next generation.
The result is a widening mismatch: a growing industry without the skilled workforce required to sustain it.
“Australia’s culinary associations form the backbone of the profession ... Yet almost all of this work is performed by volunteers.”
Chef Associations Are Essential — but Critically Underfunded
Australia’s culinary associations — including the Australian Culinary Federation, Les Toques Blanches, and the Australian Institute of Technical Chefs — form the backbone of the profession. They deliver accreditation, validate skills, support apprentices, run national competitions, and uphold the peer‑driven standards that help maintain excellence across the sector.
Yet almost all of this work is performed by volunteers. These organisations operate with limited resources, making it increasingly difficult to meet expanding industry demands in areas such as accreditation administration, digital record‑keeping, governance, professional development, and national workforce coordination.
“Without this support, Australia cannot rebuild its domestic chef workforce.”
As the chef shortage intensifies, the volunteer‑based model that once sustained these associations is no longer fit for purpose. To play the role required at a national level, they need stable administrative capacity, government‑recognised accreditation systems, digital credentialing platforms, and formal integration into the apprenticeship and professional development ecosystem.
Without this support, Australia cannot rebuild its domestic chef workforce.
“The chef shortage is no longer a temporary labour challenge — it is a structural workforce crisis”
Why Government Must Act Now
The chef shortage is no longer a temporary labour challenge — it is a structural workforce crisis with long‑term economic consequences. Strategic investment in chef associations can stabilise the industry and provide the national coordination required to address shortages at scale.
Rebuilding a Sustainable Apprenticeship Pipeline
Chef associations are well‑placed to uphold rigorous apprenticeship standards and support employers. Formalising their role would lift training quality, improve completion rates, and strengthen early‑career retention.
Lifting Workforce Standards and Protecting Food Safety
Industry‑wide accreditation frameworks and ongoing professional development help maintain consistent professional standards, safeguarding both consumers and Australia’s culinary reputation.
Empowering More Competitive Hospitality Businesses
Small and medium venues often lack access to structured workforce planning, business training, and skills development. Associations can fill this gap, improving productivity, margins, and long‑term business resilience.
Providing Government With Accurate, Real‑Time Workforce Data
A unified digital records system for chefs would give government access to accurate credentials and workforce data — essential for informed policy, migration settings, and skills forecasting.
Driving Tourism and Economic Growth
A strong chef workforce underpins every part of Australia’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem. Without it, the country cannot support growing demand for dining, events, accommodation, catering, and food‑driven travel.
Investing in chef associations is not simply about supporting a profession — it is a strategy for strengthening the entire hospitality economy.
A Growing Industry Deserves a Growing Workforce
Australia stands at a crossroads. The hospitality sector is expanding at a pace that signals enormous opportunity, yet the workforce required to sustain that growth is shrinking. Without meaningful investment, the country risks allowing its hospitality boom to outstrip the very people who make it possible.
Chef associations are essential national infrastructure for fixing this — but they cannot fulfil this role without proper support.
Australia has a clear choice: Allow workforce shortages to undermine one of its fastest‑growing industries, or invest now in the organisations capable of securing its long‑term strength.
The solution is clear, and the need is urgent.
It is time for government to meaningfully support Australia’s chef associations.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? Share this article to your socials and tag us with your comments.
