Chef Jobs in Australia 2026: Chef at Hats on Queen in Brisbane

Looking for a daytime chef job in Brisbane with no late-night finishes? Hats on Queen, a premium cafe and dining venue at Mantra on Queen in the Brisbane CBD, is hiring a trade-qualified Chef with an immediate start. The kitchen runs a fast-paced brunch and lunch menu and also does conference and function catering. It is led by Executive Chef Benji.

This role suits qualified cooks and chefs who are organised, tidy and good at high-volume service. The employer offers a stable kitchen, full Modern Award entitlements, staff meals, and the possibility of Subclass 482 visa sponsorship later on, but not straight away.

Below you’ll find complete details on this chef job in Australia, including responsibilities, requirements, the employer’s sponsorship policy, employer information and a step-by-step guide on how to apply.

Important for visa seekers: This role is not open to people who need visa sponsorship now. You must already hold valid, unrestricted Australian working rights with at least 6 to 12 months remaining. The employer says it will consider Subclass 482 sponsorship only after 6 months of continuous full-time employment, and it is not a guarantee. The listing does not state a salary or a closing date. Confirm the pay with the employer before applying.

About the Employer

Hats on Queen is a premium cafe and dining venue inside Mantra on Queen, a four-star apartment hotel and conference venue at 570 Queen Street in the Brisbane CBD. According to the listing, it is known for specialty coffee, Modern Australian brunch and corporate conference catering. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Benji and described as a clean, structured environment where high standards are respected, with seasonal produce and a focus on culinary precision.

The hotel around it has conference facilities, so the kitchen handles both daily cafe service and catering for corporate delegates and functions. Some travel sites describe Hats on Queen as a training restaurant for hospitality students. That description may be out of date, so ask the employer about the current setup.

Job Details

Job Title: Chef
Company Name: Hats on Queen (at Mantra on Queen)
Country: Australia
Location: Brisbane CBD, QLD
Salary: Not disclosed; the listing says full Modern Award entitlements apply, and applicants are asked for their expected annual base salary
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Chefs/Cooks (Hospitality & Tourism)
Start Date: Immediate or short-notice start
Shift Times: Morning service starts, typically between 6:00am and 6:30am; daytime hours with no late-night finishes
Experience: Minimum 1 to 2 years in a commercial kitchen as a qualified Cook or Chef
Education: Trade-qualified Chef (the listing says “trade-qualified”)
Visa Sponsorship: Considered only after 6 months of continuous full-time employment; not available immediately
Vacancies: Not specified by the employer
Posted: About 2 days ago (listing seen October 10, 2026)
Application Volume: Medium, as shown on the listing
Closing Date: Not specified by the employer

Job Responsibilities

As a Chef at Hats on Queen, your main duties will include:

• Daily brunch line: cooking high-volume breakfast and lunch orders with speed and consistency, and keeping ticket times to 12 to 15 minutes
• Conference and function catering: preparing, setting up and presenting corporate buffets, delegate morning and afternoon teas, and function menus to high presentation standards
• Section ownership: managing your mise en place so the kitchen moves smoothly between cafe service and catering events
• Food safety and HACCP: completing daily temperature logs accurately, following strict FIFO labelling and rotation, and enforcing allergen management
• Teamwork: working with the Executive Chef, kitchen hands and front-of-house team to deliver seamless service

Job Requirements

To apply for this chef job in Australia, candidates should have:

• A trade qualification and at least 1 to 2 years of commercial kitchen experience as a Cook or Chef
• An organised mindset and strong attention to detail, including tidy labelling, clean section setups and neat walk-ins
• Confidence on a fast breakfast line, including pan work, egg cookery and sauces, as well as batch catering preparation
• Reliable punctuality for morning service, typically from 6:00am to 6:30am
• Availability for an immediate or short-notice start
• Valid, unrestricted Australian working rights with a minimum of 6 to 12 months remaining on your visa (for example a Subclass 485, permanent residency or an equivalent unrestricted work visa)

The employer says its Executive Chef has an uncompromising eye for order, cleanliness and detail.

Required Documents

Based on the listing, applicants should prepare:

• An updated resume showing your chef experience
• Proof of your trade qualification
• Proof of your visa status, including the expiry date

The listing asks you to state your current Australian visa status and its expiry date clearly in your application. The SEEK application also asks about your right to work, your expected annual base salary, your years of experience as a chef and your notice period.

Employee Benefits

Hats on Queen lists the following:

• An immediate start in a stable, well-organised kitchen
• Daytime-focused hours with no late-night finishes
• Full Modern Award entitlements
• On-time electronic payroll through Xero and Tanda
• A possible long-term pathway through employer sponsorship for proven staff, subject to the policy above
• A convenient CBD location close to Central Station and major bus routes
• Complimentary staff meals
• Employee discounts

Employer Sponsorship Policy

The employer states its sponsorship rules clearly:

• Sponsorship under the Subclass 482 TSS visa is considered only after at least 6 months of continuous full-time employment.
• The decision depends on kitchen performance, reliability, leadership fit and mutual agreement.
• Candidates must already have enough working rights to complete the first 6 months.
• The employer cannot accept applications from people whose visas are about to expire or who need sponsorship from day one.

Who Can Apply?

You may apply for this position if you:

• Are a trade-qualified Chef with at least 1 to 2 years of commercial kitchen experience
• Already hold valid, unrestricted Australian working rights with 6 to 12 months or more remaining
• Can start immediately and work morning shifts from 6:00am to 6:30am
• Enjoy a disciplined, tidy and organised kitchen

Do not apply if you need visa sponsorship straight away or if your visa is about to expire.

Why You Should Apply

This role offers daytime hours, which is uncommon for chef jobs, and no late finishes. You work in a structured kitchen with an Executive Chef who cares about standards, and the mix of brunch service and conference catering keeps the work varied. The employer promises full Modern Award entitlements and on-time pay.

For chefs who already have work rights, it also comes with a clearly explained route to possible sponsorship after six months. That is more honest than many sponsorship ads, because it tells you the conditions up front. The CBD location is easy to reach by public transport.

How to Apply

Follow these simple steps to apply for the Chef position at Hats on Queen:

Step 1: Confirm that you hold a trade qualification and valid, unrestricted Australian working rights with at least 6 to 12 months remaining.

Step 2: Update your resume, showing your commercial kitchen experience, breakfast line skills and any catering work.

Step 3: Open the official SEEK listing using the link below and click “Apply Now”, or email the employer directly.

Step 4: If you email, use the subject line “Chef Application – [Your Full Name] – Immediate Start” and clearly state your visa status and its expiry date.

Step 5: Answer the SEEK questions on right to work, expected salary, experience and notice period, then wait for Hats on Queen to contact you.

Official Job Listing: https://au.seek.com/job/95135610

Email Applications: admin@hatsonqueen.com or executivechef@hatsonqueen.com

Address: Mantra on Queen, 570 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000

Phone: No company phone number was found for this role. Use the emails or SEEK.

Note: the listing has no closing date and says an immediate start is available, so apply as early as possible.

Safety tip: Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Never pay anyone for a job offer or for visa sponsorship.

Final Words

This Chef role at Hats on Queen is a strong opportunity for trade-qualified chefs who already have unrestricted Australian work rights and want daytime hours in the Brisbane CBD. Check the pay and your visa dates before applying, and remember that sponsorship is only a possibility after six months of full-time work.

Disclaimer: This website is only sharing information about this job vacancy for the convenience of job seekers. We are not the employer and are not involved in the hiring or recruitment process in any way. Please apply directly through the official SEEK listing or the employer’s email, and confirm all job details, including salary and visa eligibility, with the employer before applying.