SIT40521 · Nationally Recognised Training

Certificate IV in Kitchen Management

An AQF Level 4 qualification for cooks who are ready to lead. Manage a kitchen team, plan menus, control costs and keep food safety standards at the highest level, combining classroom learning with hands-on training in our commercial kitchens and real industry work placement.

Duration
78 weeks
Delivery
Blended · Parramatta campus
Units
33 (27 core + 6 elective)
Total course cost
AU$21,000

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Nationally Recognised Training
RTO 41244
CRICOS Provider 04146E
CRICOS Course 114927E
Parramatta Campus
Course snapshot

Everything in one view

Course code
SIT40521
CRICOS course code
114927E
CRICOS provider
04146E
RTO number
41244
Duration
78 weeks
Training split
60 weeks training + 18 weeks holidays
Weekly study
15 hrs face-to-face / 5 hrs online
Total course cost
AU$21,000
Start here

Which one describes you?

Entry requirements, timelines and paperwork differ depending on where you are applying from. Pick the closest match and we will send you the right information.

Applying from overseas

You will need a Confirmation of Enrolment before you can apply for a student visa. We walk you through the sequence.

Already on a student visa

Transferring providers or moving into a trade qualification. Release and transfer rules apply, so talk to us first.

Education agent

Placing students in trade qualifications. Request the agent pack with fees, intakes and commission terms.

Course fees and costs

What this course costs

We publish the full fee up front rather than asking you to call and find out. Approved course credit may reduce both your fees and your course duration.

Tuition Fee
AU$18,000
Non-Tuition Fee
AU$3,000
Estimated Total Course Cost
AU$21,000

Fees are for the full 78-week qualification. Approved course credit or recognition of prior learning may reduce both the fee and the duration. You will receive written notice of any change, and a new CoE if credit is approved after your original CoE has been issued.

What your fees cover

Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

By the end of the SIT40521, you will have the practical skills and confidence to manage a commercial kitchen.

01

Lead a kitchen team

Supervise staff, delegate tasks, run effective briefings and build a productive team culture.

02

Manage kitchen operations

Plan menus, order stock, manage workflow, control costs and minimise waste.

03

Design and cost menus

Create menus that balance creativity, dietary needs, seasonal produce and budget.

04

Implement food safety

Build and run a food safety program that keeps customers safe and your kitchen compliant.

05

Master advanced cookery

Develop skills across patisserie, meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan cooking.

06

Handle kitchen finances

Manage budgets, control stock, and understand the financial side of running a kitchen.

Work Placement

Real Kitchen Experience, Not Just Theory

The SIT40521 includes a structured vocational placement component in a real commercial kitchen setting. During your placement, you must record a minimum of 48 complete service periods covering a variety of menu types, service styles and food categories. Pacific College Sydney supports you in finding a suitable placement venue.

What You’ll Learn in the SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
Hospitality students learning fine dining plating techniques in a professional training kitchen overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Course structure

33 units of competency

To achieve this qualification you must demonstrate competency in 27 core units and 6 elective units. You must complete 33 units in total: 27 core units, plus 6 elective units (3 from the approved Group A electives, and 3 more from the electives listed or from any currently endorsed Training Package). All elective units must support a valid, industry-recognised vocational outcome.

Prerequisites: an asterisk (*) against a unit code indicates a prerequisite requirement. Prerequisite units must be assessed before assessment of any unit marked with an asterisk. All prerequisite requirements are packaged within the qualification.

Core UnitsDescription
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
SITHKOP010Plan and cost recipes
SITHKOP012*Develop recipes for special dietary requirements
SITHKOP013*Plan cooking operations
SITHKOP015*Design and cost menus
SITHPAT016*Produce desserts
SITXCOM010Manage conflict
SITXFIN009Manage finances within a budget
SITXFSA005Use hygienic practices for food safety
SITXFSA006Participate in safe food handling practices
SITXFSA008*Develop and implement a food safety program
SITXHRM008Roster staff
SITXHRM009Lead and manage people
SITXINV006*Receive, store and maintain stock
SITXMGT004Monitor work operations
SITXWHS007Implement and monitor work health and safety practices
Elective UnitsDescription
SITHCCC026*Package prepared foodstuffs
SITHCCC038*Produce and serve food for buffets
SITHCCC040*Prepare and serve cheese
HLTAID011Provide First Aid
SITXWHS006Identify hazards, assess and control safety risks
SITXWHS008Establish and maintain a work health and safety system
Training, resources and delivery

Where and how you will train

Pacific College Sydney provides industry-relevant training and modern facilities so students develop practical skills that match current workplace expectations.

How the Certificate IV in Kitchen Management Prepares You for a Chef Career

Level 4, 79 George Street, Parramatta

Classes and practical workshop sessions run at our Parramatta campus in the heart of Sydney’s second CBD, a short walk from Parramatta station and the light rail.

Resources and study materials

Delivery mode

Student support

Entry requirements

What you need to enrol

Applicants also complete a pre-enrolment review so we can identify any additional support you may need to finish the course successfully.

Not sure you meet these?

Most applicants who think they fall short actually have a pathway: through the LLN test, an EAP course, or prior study in Australia. Send us your details and we will tell you exactly where you stand and what is missing.

Career outcomes

Where this qualification takes you

Completing the SIT40521 opens doors to a range of supervisory and leadership roles across Australia’s hospitality industry, recognised by employers in restaurants, hotels, clubs, pubs, cafes and catering companies.

Sous Chef

Support the Head Chef with daily operations, team supervision and food quality.

Head Chef or Chef de Cuisine

Lead a full kitchen team, design menus, manage budgets and maintain culinary standards.

Chef de Partie

Manage a specific section of a commercial kitchen such as larder, grill or pastry.

Kitchen Supervisor or Team Leader

Oversee a shift or section, mentor junior staff and ensure smooth service.

Catering Manager

Plan and manage food service for events, functions and corporate catering.

Café or Bistro Manager

Use your kitchen management, cost control and menu skills to run a small hospitality business.

Graduates may progress to the SIT50422 Diploma of Hospitality Management, or apply for higher education pathways in hospitality management or business.

Licensing and registration requirements differ between states and territories where relevant. Check with the relevant regulatory authority in the state where you intend to work.

Assessment

How you will be assessed

Assessments are based on real workplace situations that meet industry standards, carried out in a simulated work environment to assess hands-on competency, collaboration and time management.

Methods include project work, presentations, reports, portfolios, case studies and short-answer questions. Assessment tasks:

Materials provided

Students are provided with clear instructions, templates and resources for each assessment task, an assessment plan for tracking due dates, and a cover sheet to be submitted with each task. Supporting documents, policies and procedures are set out in the student and assessor guides.

Re-assessment and appeals

Students who do not meet competency requirements on an assessment have the opportunity to reassess, with the process and criteria provided in advance. Students may appeal assessment outcomes if they believe an assessment was not conducted fairly, under the college’s formal review process aligned with regulatory standards.

Course credit and RPL

You can apply for course credit using past skills and experience, through credit transfer or recognition of prior learning. For international students, approved credit may reduce both your fees and your course duration, with written notice of the outcome and a new CoE if approved after your original CoE was issued.

Read the International Student Handbook →

Award issued: students who successfully complete this nationally recognised training are awarded the Certificate IV in Kitchen Management. Students who complete some but not all units receive a Statement of Attainment for the units achieved.

Students

What students say

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Sayeed Parvez
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Daljeet Singh
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Excellence service with great sager paudel sir
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Fong Kwok
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The process

Four steps to your first class

01

Enquire

Send your details. An admissions adviser confirms your eligibility, the fee that applies to you, and the next intake date.

02

Assess

Provide your Year 12 evidence, English results and White Card. If you do not meet the English requirement, complete the LLN test.

03

Offer

Receive a written offer with the full fee schedule. Accept, pay the deposit, and your CoE is issued for your visa application.

04

Enrol

Complete enrolment, attend orientation at Parramatta, and start on your intake date.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Does the SIT40521 include work placement?

Yes. The SIT40521 includes a vocational placement component in a real commercial kitchen. You must complete a minimum of 48 service periods covering a variety of menu types, food categories and service styles. Pacific College Sydney supports you in finding a suitable placement venue.

How many units are in the SIT40521?

The course requires 33 units of competency in total: 27 core units and 6 elective units. Core units cover cookery methods, food safety, menu design and staff management. Electives let you specialise in areas like buffet service and workplace health and safety.

How long does the SIT40521 take at Pacific College Sydney?

The course runs for 78 weeks in total: 60 weeks of training and assessment, plus 18 weeks of scheduled holiday breaks. Each term is 10 weeks of study followed by a 3-week break.

How much does the SIT40521 cost?

The estimated total cost is AU$21,000, made up of an $18,000 tuition fee and $3,000 in non-tuition fees. Contact us to find out about payment options.

Is the SIT40521 available for international students in Sydney?

Yes. Pacific College Sydney is a CRICOS-registered institution (Code: 04146E), fully authorised to enrol international students studying on a student visa in Australia.

What are the entry requirements for the SIT40521?

You must have completed Year 12 or equivalent, be at least 18 years old and meet the English requirement of IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5. Students who do not meet the English requirement complete an LLN assessment before enrolment.

What jobs can I get after completing the Certificate IV in Kitchen Management?

Graduates move into roles such as Sous Chef, Head Chef, Chef de Partie, Kitchen Supervisor, Catering Manager and Café or Bistro Manager, recognised by employers across restaurants, hotels, clubs, pubs, cafes and catering companies.

Can I study the SIT40521 if I have previous cooking qualifications or experience?

Yes. If you have completed relevant units at another RTO, you may be eligible for credit transfer. If you have hands-on kitchen experience but no formal qualification, you may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Contact us before enrolling to check your eligibility.

What does the work placement logbook involve?

You record a minimum of 48 complete service periods in a commercial kitchen, covering a variety of menu types, service styles and food categories, as verified evidence of your practical competency.

Can I continue to further study after this qualification?

Yes. Graduates can progress to the SIT50422 Diploma of Hospitality Management, or apply for entry into higher education programs in hospitality management or business, depending on each institution’s entry requirements.

Ready to start your trade?

Send us your details and we will confirm your eligibility, the fee that applies to you, and the next available intake at Parramatta.

Intakes run through the year · enquire for current dates

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Enquiry Now
Check My Eligibility

Where are you applying from?

This determines your paperwork and how quickly you can start.

What's your English level?

Entry requires Academic IELTS 6.0, or one of several accepted alternatives.

Where should we send your result?

You will get your eligibility summary, the full fee breakdown and the next intake dates.

An admissions adviser may contact you to confirm your eligibility.