How you can find employment as a baker in Australia

Becoming a baker is a very good career choice if you have cooking skills and like to create new foods. It is also a domain where there is no shortage of job opportunities. Bakers are in high demand, especially in Australia’s big cities, like Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide, who rely heavily on tourism and the hospitality industry.

So, how do you go about becoming a baker in Australia?

What qualifications do you need to become a baker in Australia?

If you love cooking and want to make a career out of it, you will need to take some formal courses. For people with great cooking skills such courses are very easy and they give you a certificate that allows you to be a professional baker. Even if you don’t know much about cooking, such a course gives you plenty of time to learn all the secrets of the trade as it includes at least 2 years of working as an apprentice.

To be able to get a job as a baker you need to pursue an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III or an AQF Certificate IV. 

The best thing about these courses is that many schools work in partnership with various businesses in the baking industry. By the end of your on-the-job training you’ll probably know a lot of people in this business and you might also receive job offers if you prove to be talented and hardworking.

Employment Screening Certificates (Criminal Record and Medical)

Many Australian bakeries or restaurants looking for a pastry chef will probably ask for a background check as part of their pre-employment screening.

While background checks are not mandatory for this type of job, employers tend to be very cautious these days. No company can afford to hire people with a serious criminal past. 

Somebody working in food preparation needs to be a responsible individual and to observe safety regulations to the letter.

Also, experienced chefs are often in charge of ordering supplies, and this creates an opportunity to steal money, or at least products.

When you apply for a job as a baker, it’s best to have your background check ready. This is relatively straightforward to do as nowadays you have the option of using an online service provider like the one here (ANCC). There are several online service providers in Australia and they will send you your criminal record check via email.

You don’t need to get a new police check every time you apply for a job. An employer will accept a criminal history check as valid even if it is a few weeks old. 

Also, for this type of job you might be required to submit the results of a recent medical check and to get some tests done. People carrying transmissible diseases are a great risk when they work in food preparation.

What documents do I need to find employment as a baker in Australia?

First of all, you’ll need a Certificate III or IV, which must be presented when you apply for a job.

By the way, if you’re looking for a job you should consult the job boards to see what openings there are for an experienced baker. Those years of apprenticeship count as work experience.

headline image courtesy of Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/s/photos/baking