FIFO chef jobs
What the work involves, what employers ask for, the rosters seen in real ads and which companies hire for FIFO chef jobs. Every item links to the page it came from.
Last checked 10 October 2026. Requirements and rosters vary by employer and site, so read each job ad before you apply.
What the job involves
Sodexo's Darwin chef ad describes preparing meals across breakfast, crib and dinner services in a high-volume catering environment, while maintaining food safety and HACCP standards, as part of a supportive kitchen team.
Source: jobs.smartrecruiters.comCompass Group's ESS business advertises FIFO chef roles for remote sites, with buffet-style meals and HACCP standards. The Hail Creek (Queensland) ad covers catering for approximately 800-900 residents.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auCater Care says its skilled chefs focus on menu management, large-scale food preparation and fast, effective service.
Source: catercare.com.au
What employers ask for
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Compass: 'Must hold a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Trade Certificate'. ISS: 'Certificate III in Commercial Cookery recognised in Australia (or higher)'. Sodexo: 'Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery'. Job ads seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auBulk catering or remote site experience
Compass WA says 'Experience working in remote sites is essential'. Compass Hail Creek lists 'Experience in bulk catering/ cooking environments'. Sodexo lists 'FIFO, DIDO or remote site experience desirable but not essential'. Job ads seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auQualified chef experience
ISS asks for 'Proven professional work experience as qualified chef', with a minimum of 2 to 3 years. Civeo asks for '3+ years post-trade or commercial cooking experience'. Job ads seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.au.issworld.comFood Safety Certificate
ISS lists 'Food Safety Certificate, or willingness to obtain.' Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.au.issworld.comPre-employment medical, drug and alcohol screening, and police clearance
Compass: 'Must be able to pass pre-employment medical including drug and alcohol screening and national police clearance'. ISS: 'Valid National Police Clearance within the last 12 months.' Job ads seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auAustralian working rights
Compass: 'Must have full working rights in Australia'. ISS: 'Full working rights in Australia.' Job ads seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auStandard 11 (coal sites)
ISS lists 'Current Coal Board Medical and Standard 11 Certificate (highly desirable).' Compass Hail Creek says 'Standard 11 course provided'. Job ads seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.au.issworld.comDriver licence
Civeo's Line Chef ad (Tennant Creek, NT) asks for a 'WA/NT C Class Driver's License'. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: fa-esyi-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com
Rosters seen in ads
Compass FIFO Chef, Western Australia: 14/7 roster, FIFO or DIDO from Perth. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auCompass FIFO Chef, Northern Territory: FIFO from Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth or Brisbane on a 2/1 roster. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auCompass FIFO Chefs, Hail Creek (Queensland): 14 days on, 7 days off with 10-hour days. Flights are from Brisbane, and locals are encouraged to apply on a drive-in, drive-out basis. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auISS FIFO Chefs, Queensland mining villages: 9 days on and 5 days off, or 2 weeks on and 1 week off. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.au.issworld.comSodexo Chef, Darwin: BIBO or FIFO on a 14:7 roster with 11-hour days. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: jobs.smartrecruiters.comCiveo Line Chef, Tennant Creek NT: FIFO from Perth on a 14:14 roster. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: fa-esyi-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.comSodexo chef and head chef listings seen on 10 October 2026 show 14:7, 14:14, 2:1 and 2:2 rosters depending on the site.
Source: careers.smartrecruiters.com
Work out days on site and days home for any roster with the roster calculator.
Who hires for FIFO chef jobs
Compass Group (ESS)
'Must hold a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Trade Certificate'. FIFO Chef ads for WA, NT and Queensland. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auISS Facility Services
FIFO Chefs for mining villages in Central Queensland, plus a FIFO Head Chef listing from Perth. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: careers.au.issworld.comSodexo
'Chef | BIBO/FIFO | 14:7 | Darwin, NT' ad. Sodexo's chef page says 'Our chefs are at the heart of what we do'. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: jobs.smartrecruiters.comCiveo
'Line Chef | NT' ad: 'a FIFO position departing from Perth working on a 14:14 roster'. Job ad seen 10 October 2026.
Source: fa-esyi-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.comCater Care
Its 'Get a start' page has a Skilled Chefs section for mining sites about 4 hours west of Brisbane.
Source: catercare.com.au
Good to know
Compass's WA chef ad mentions Job Ready Program (JRP) support, with the opportunity to do your final assessment in its kitchen.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auCompass's Hail Creek ad says the cost of medicals, training and uniforms is covered by the company, and that the Standard 11 course is provided.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auCiveo's Line Chef ad accepts an Australian recognised Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery, or a Trade Certificate (NVQ Level 4 and City & Guilds accepted), and says various international qualifications are accepted.
Source: fa-esyi-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.comSodexo's chefs page says visa sponsorship is available for chefs.
Source: au.sodexo.comThe Fair Work Ombudsman lists cooks and chefs, and apprentice chefs, among the employees the Hospitality Award covers, for employers in the hospitality industry (which includes caterers).
Source: fairwork.gov.au
Pay
We keep pay on a separate page so every figure sits next to its source. FIFO cook salary.
Before you apply
What we could not verify
We looked for these and did not find a primary source, so they are not stated above.
- Head chef and sous chef roles have extra requirements. This page covers general FIFO chef roles, so check the ad for senior roles.
- Only Sodexo's chefs page mentions visa sponsorship. Ask each employer whether they sponsor before you rely on it.
- Standard 11 is listed as desirable or provided for coal sites in the ads checked, but requirements differ by site.
- Ads checked cover Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Roles in other states were not checked.
- Job ads close. Check each employer ad is still open before relying on it.
FIFO chef jobs: questions answered
What qualification do I need to be a FIFO chef?
The ads checked ask for a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or a Trade Certificate. Compass says 'Must hold a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Trade Certificate', and ISS accepts Certificate III or higher.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.auCan I apply with overseas chef qualifications?
Some employers say yes. Civeo's Line Chef ad accepts NVQ Level 4 and City & Guilds, and says various international qualifications are accepted. Check the ad for the role you want.
Source: fa-esyi-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.comDo I need FIFO experience as a chef?
It depends. Compass's WA ad says experience working in remote sites is essential. Sodexo's Darwin ad calls FIFO, DIDO or remote site experience desirable but not essential, and asks for experience in bulk catering or high-volume kitchens.
Source: jobs.smartrecruiters.comWhat rosters do FIFO chefs work?
Ads seen list 14 days on and 7 off (Compass WA, Sodexo Darwin), 2 weeks on and 1 week off or 9 days on and 5 off (ISS Queensland), and 14 days on and 14 off (Civeo Tennant Creek).
Source: careers.au.issworld.comCan I get into FIFO cooking if I have not finished my trade?
Compass's WA chef ad mentions Job Ready Program (JRP) support, with the opportunity to do your final assessment in its kitchen. The ad still lists Certificate III or a Trade Certificate as a requirement, so ask Compass how JRP applies to you.
Source: careers.compass-group.com.au