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Fast Food Cook salary in Australia
The median full-time salary for a fast food cook is $50,800 per annum, before tax, up $10,800 since 2018.
Most fast food cooks are paid under the Fast Food Industry Award or an enterprise agreement, which sets rates by classification, with junior rates for workers under 21 and penalty rates for evenings, weekends and public holidays. Casual staff are paid a loading instead of paid leave, and taking on supervisor or cook-in-charge duties moves you to a higher classification. Rates also vary between franchise groups and independent outlets, and by how many hours you can get on the roster.
Roles that pay more than fast food cook
The largest typical pay rise is $27,200 a year, moving into Barista.
- Barista+$27,200/yr
- Cook+$23,700/yr
- Bakery Assistant+$21,000/yr
How to negotiate a higher fast food cook salary
- Know the market rate before you ask. The median full-time fast food cook salary is $50,800; use that, not a guess, as your anchor, and adjust for your experience and employer.
- Lead with what's scarce, not just tenure. Skills like Food preparation and cooking and Food safety and hygiene tend to command a premium over general fast food cook experience, name them specifically when you ask.
- Bring a real alternative to the table. Barista pays a typical $27,200 a year more and draws on similar skills, even mentioning you're weighing it up is a legitimate data point in a pay conversation.
- Time it deliberately. Reviews, the end of a project you delivered, or taking on responsibility beyond your job description are stronger moments to ask than an arbitrary date on the calendar.
- Ask for a number, not a raise. "Based on the market rate and [specific contribution], I'd like to move to X" gets a clearer answer than "I think I deserve more."
Fast Food Cook salary questions
How much do fast food cooks earn in Australia?
The median full-time salary for a fast food cook is $50,800 a year before tax. Seniority, specialisation, sector and the award or agreement you're employed under all move it.
Is fast food cook pay rising or falling?
The median fast food cook salary is up $10,800 since 2018. Figures from 2025 onward on this page are a projection, not a measured result.
What pays more than fast food cook?
Barista pays a typical $27,200 a year more and draws on similar skills to fast food cook.