Next intake
April 2026Location
Geelong City CampusDuration
Full-time: 12 MonthsPart-time: 3 Years
Course description
A career in food and the culinary arts is your destiny if you have a love of making people happy with food, see yourself as a team player, and love to explore and create in a fast-paced dynamic kitchen environment.
Learn the fundamentals of food preparation and cooking skills and applying and practicing them across:
- A range of appetisers and salads
- Poultry and game · Seafood and meat
- A variety of hot and cold desserts
- Cakes and yeast goods
You will also master the basics such as:
- Stocks, sauces and soups
- Vegan and vegetarian dishes
- Egg and pasta dishes
Learn practical skills too, such as food costs, effective communication and time management and have the opportunity to demonstrate these skills during live service periods.
View Uniform and Toolkit requirements.
If you are interested in a Part Time option, please contact culinaryeducation@gordontafe.edu.au to express your interest and discuss further.
Possible career outcomes
This qualification provides a pathway to work as a cook in organisations such as restaurants, hotels, clubs, pubs, cafes, and coffee shops.
- Qualified Cook/Chef
- Head Chef
- Kitchen attendant
- Catering team assistant
Applications & attendance
How to apply
- Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
- Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.
If you need help, visit Customer Service or email COURINFO@gordontafe.edu.au.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.
Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants
To become an apprentice or trainee, you will first need to find an employer willing to employ you. An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can assist you with this. Find a local provider here.
| Intake | Applications | Attendance | Classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 April Geelong City Campus |
Open: 15 Jan 2026 Close: 1 Apr 2026 |
Class Day | Full Time | Start: 20 Apr 2026 | Mon, Tues & Thurs I 10am - 6pm | Apply |
| 2026 Full Year Geelong City Campus |
Open: 1 Aug 2025 Close: 15 Dec 2026 |
Class Day | Part Time | Apprent-Timetable supplied once admitted |
Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.
Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.
An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course. Spaces are limited and only completed applications will be considered for an offer. Intakes can be cancelled at any time.
Additional attendance information
To successfully participate in this course, learners must:
- Have access to a suitable device and a reliable internet connection
- Possess sufficient digital literacy skills to:
o Access and navigate online resources and the simulated workplace environment
o Submit assessment tasks electronically
o Communicate effectively with teachers via email, the student portal, and the Learning Management System (LMS)
Work placement/industry experience
|
Duration & Structure |
Students must complete 48 x 6-8 hours of complete service periods in a commercial kitchen. |
|
Location |
Students will be required to completed 18 services at the Gordon’s Davidson Restaurant and 30 services at a suitable workplace with an operating commercial kitchen |
|
Organised by |
The Gordon negotiates the practical/industry placements. |
|
Additional Information |
*Placement is not paid work and student will not receive payment for undertaking practical placement. |
Entrance requirements
- It is recommended that non-apprenticeship applicants where possible be working in the commercial cookery industry, for a minimum of 15 hours per week.
- Applicants must be aged 16 years and over at the time of course commencement
- Any student under the age of 17 must provide a Transition from School form prior to undertaking this course, unless they have completed Year 12 or an equivalent qualification (AQF Level II or above), in which case a school exemption is not required.
Apprenticeship and traineeship requirements
Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants must be currently employed under a training contract and referred by their employer.
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
| Core Units | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Clean kitchen premises and equipment | SITHKOP009 | 13 |
| Coach others in job skills | SITXHRM007 | 20 |
| Participate in safe food handling practices | SITXFSA006 | 40 |
| Participate in safe work practices | SITXWHS005 | 12 |
| Plan and cost recipes | SITHKOP010 | 40 |
| Prepare appetisers and salads | SITHCCC028 | 25 |
| Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery | SITHCCC027 | 45 |
| Prepare food to meet special dietary requirements | SITHCCC042 | 75 |
| Prepare meat dishes | SITHCCC036 | 55 |
| Prepare poultry dishes | SITHCCC035 | 35 |
| Prepare seafood dishes | SITHCCC037 | 35 |
| Prepare stocks, sauces and soups | SITHCCC029 | 35 |
| Prepare vegetable, fruit, eggs and farinaceous dishes | SITHCCC030 | 50 |
| Prepare vegetarian and vegan dishes | SITHCCC031 | 40 |
| Produce cakes, pastries and breads | SITHCCC041 | 55 |
| Produce desserts | SITHPAT016 | 100 |
| Receive, store and maintain stock | SITXINV006 | 20 |
| Use food preparation equipment | SITHCCC023 | 25 |
| Use hygienic practices for food safety | SITXFSA005 | 15 |
| Work effectively as a cook | SITHCCC043 | 100 |
| Elective Units | Code | Hours |
| Package prepared foodstuffs | SITHCCC026 | 15 |
| Participate in sustainable work practices | BSBSUS211 | 20 |
| Prepare and present sandwiches | SITHCCC025 | 10 |
| Prepare specialised food items | SITHCCC044 | 60 |
| Produce yeast-based bakery products | SITHPAT014 | 42 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment is based on:
- Questioning
- Observations and practical demonstrations
- Portfolio (work samples)
Fees
This course is eligible for Free TAFE!
Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concession Tuition | AUD $1.59 | per hour | 982 | AUD $1,561.00 | AUD $14,210.00 |
| Standard Tuition | AUD $7.95 | per hour | 982 | AUD $7,620.00 | AUD $14,210.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $18.60 | per hour | 982 | AUD $18,265.00 |
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Levy | AUD $147.30 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Materials | AUD $1,714.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Resources | AUD $625.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Equipment | AUD $60.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Excursion | AUD $100.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Administrative Fee | AUD $80.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Additional Cost - Tool Kit & Uniform | AUD $545.00 | Once | Required purchase | ||
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
Further study options
- SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
- SIT50422 Diploma Hospitality
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.