Are there entry requirements?

No. The register records no entry requirements for SIT30821.

Does this make me a qualified chef?

The register says completion "contributes to recognition as a trade cook". Trade recognition itself involves the apprenticeship and, in some states, further steps - and "chef" is a job title set by employers, not by the register.

Why are twenty of twenty-five units core?

Because it is a trade qualification. The training package has decided what a cook must be able to do, and left very little to negotiate. Only five electives.

Can I do it without an apprenticeship?

The qualification can be delivered outside an apprenticeship, but most trade recognition pathways run through one. Ask each provider how they deliver it and what employment arrangement they expect.

What is the difference from Certificate II in Cookery?

SIT20421 explicitly "does not meet the requirements for trade recognition as a cook". It is a pathway toward this one.

SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

About this qualification

SIT30821 is what makes someone a cook. The register describes “cooks who use a wide range of well-developed cookery skills and sound knowledge of kitchen operations”, working with some independence and under limited supervision.

Completion of this qualification contributes to recognition as a trade cook. That phrase matters — this is the apprenticeship qualification, and the reason its core is so large.

Twenty-five units, of which twenty are core. Only five are yours to choose. The core walks the entire kitchen: stocks, sauces and soups; appetisers and salads; vegetables, fruit, eggs and farinaceous; vegetarian and vegan; poultry; meat; seafood; cakes, pastries and breads; desserts; and food for special dietary requirements.

Two core units are not about cooking at all. SITHKOP010 Plan and cost recipes and SITXHRM007 Coach others in job skills — a trade cook is expected to understand food cost and to bring on the apprentice behind them.

Roles it maps to

Settings named on the national register for SIT30821.

Cook Trade Cook Commis Chef Chef de Partie

Where it sits

Where SIT30821 sits on the cookery ladder. It runs parallel to the hospitality service ladder rather than through it.

Certificate IISIT20421 Cookery
Certificate III · you are hereSIT30821 Commercial Cookery
Certificate III · specialisationSIT31021 Patisserie
Certificate III · relatedSIT30921 Catering
Certificate IVSIT40521 Kitchen Management
Advanced DiplomaSIT60322 Hospitality Management

What it covers

20Core units

5Elective units

Twenty-five units must be completed: 20 core and 5 electives. Of the electives, 3 must come from Group A or Group B, and 2 from Group A, Group B or Group C. All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome. Many units carry prerequisites — check individual units.

The 20 core units, required by everyone:

SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment
SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery
SITHCCC028 Prepare appetisers and salads
SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups
SITHCCC030 Prepare vegetable, fruit, eggs and farinaceous dishes
SITHCCC031 Prepare vegetarian and vegan dishes
SITHCCC035 Prepare poultry dishes
SITHCCC036 Prepare meat dishes
SITHCCC037 Prepare seafood dishes
SITHCCC041 Produce cakes, pastries and breads
SITHCCC042 Prepare food to meet special dietary requirements
SITHCCC043 Work effectively as a cook
SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment
SITHKOP010 Plan and cost recipes
SITHPAT016 Produce desserts
SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety
SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices
SITXHRM007 Coach others in job skills
SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock
SITXWHS005 Participate in safe work practices

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

Are there entry requirements?: No. The register records no entry requirements for SIT30821.
Does this make me a qualified chef?: The register says completion “contributes to recognition as a trade cook”. Trade recognition itself involves the apprenticeship and, in some states, further steps — and “chef” is a job title set by employers, not by the register.
Why are twenty of twenty-five units core?: Because it is a trade qualification. The training package has decided what a cook must be able to do, and left very little to negotiate. Only five electives.
Can I do it without an apprenticeship?: The qualification can be delivered outside an apprenticeship, but most trade recognition pathways run through one. Ask each provider how they deliver it and what employment arrangement they expect.
What is the difference from Certificate II in Cookery?: SIT20421 explicitly “does not meet the requirements for trade recognition as a cook”. It is a pathway toward this one.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

NSW

TAFE NSWRTO 90003

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275

Deliver and assess · National
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
QLD

Halo Nation TrainingRTO 32485

Deliver and assess · National
WA

WA Dept of Training and Workforce DevelopmentRTO 52395

Deliver and assess · WA
QLD

Brighton PacificRTO 41138

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Skills Strategies InternationalRTO 2401

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Joblink PlusRTO 91434

Deliver and assess · NSW
TAS

Reach Community CollegeRTO 40747

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Axial TrainingRTO 2437

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Maxwells ServicesRTO 90924

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Captain Cook InstituteRTO 91707

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 312 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

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Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

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