SIT20421 - Certificate II in Cookery

Version Effective: 7th of September, 2026
Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification reflects the role of individuals working in kitchens who use a defined and limited range of food preparation and cookery skills to prepare food and menu items.  They are involved in mainly routine and repetitive tasks and work under direct supervision. This qualification does not meet the requirements for trade recognition as a cook, but can provide a pathway towards achieving that.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

Language Literacy Numeracy and Digital Literacy

To help us understand how best to support you, you’ll need to complete the BKSB (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessments to progress your application. Alternatively, completion of an equal or higher level course may exempt you from this testing.

Entry Requirements

Commencing Start TAFE Now students must be in either Year 10 (and 15 years of age before commencement date) or Year 11. 

Start TAFE Now students must supply a completed and signed Start Now Authorisation form

Requirements - During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.

PPE and Resource Requirements

Students require access to a computer with internet.

Students must wear appropriate clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while in kitchens, restaurants and training areas. PPE is required to help keep students safe in practical learning environments.

What to wear:

  • Nonslip enclosed black footwear
  • Long black pants/slacks
  • Black collared shirt (no logos, print etc)
  • No jewellery
    or
  • White chef jacket
  • Checked chef pants
  • White chef cap

Inherent Requirements

Students enrolled in SIT20421 Certificate II in Cookery must possess the physical, cognitive, communication, behavioural, and sensory abilities necessary to safely participate in commercial kitchen activities, maintain food safety and hygiene standards, work effectively within a team, follow instructions, and complete practical and theoretical assessment requirements.

Other Requirements

12 kitchen service periods are required for this qualification.

Please note, on campus based delivery requires minimum student numbers to be met prior to course commencement.

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $4,316.00 (2026)
$4,498.00 (2027)
Subsidised Full Fee $2,067.00 (2026)
$2,184.00 (2027)
Subsidised Concession Fee $1,521.00 (2026)
$1,599.00 (2027)
Fee for service per unit $332.00 (2026)
$346.00 (2027)
Subsidised full fee per unit $159.00 (2026)
$168.00 (2027)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $249.00 (2026)
$260.00 (2027)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Hospitality and Beauty
Skill Area
  • Cookery
AQF Level Level 2: Certificate II

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

SIT20421 Certificate II in Cookery provides a pathway to work in kitchen operations in organisations such as restaurants, hotels, catering operations, clubs, pubs, cafes, and coffee shops; and institutions such as aged care facilities, hospitals, prisons, and schools.

Delivery Agreement

There is potential for delivery to occur with VET in School students under a Third-Party Agreement. Other schools may enrol students to undertake this program (via a Training Services Agreement) 

Course Structures
On Campus

This course is available to study over 36 weeks part-time with students participating in on-campus training one day per week. On-campus training occurs on Tuesdays for a period of 8 hours, for 12 service periods (students may opt to undertake service periods in industry where applicable). This course is competency based, so it may be possible for learners to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.

The Certificate II in Cookery has been designed to combine hands-on practical training with industry-relevant knowledge to help students build the foundational skills required for a career in the hospitality industry. Training is delivered through a blend of classroom learning, online theory via our learning platform Moodle, and practical hands-on activities. Students will develop their cookery skills in CQUniversity’s commercial training kitchens under the guidance of industry experienced teachers.

Students will gain real-world experience in preparing and presenting a variety of food items, operating kitchen equipment, maintaining food safety and hygiene standards, managing stock, and working effectively within a kitchen team. Practical training and assessment activities are designed to simulate authentic real-world hospitality working environments, ensuring graduates develop job-ready skills that can be transferred across a range of hospitality and food service roles.

  • On-campus
Group 1

Students, please enroll into one full cluster at a time in the order outlined.
Partial cluster enrolment is permitted if credit has been applied for the other units in the cluster.   All other requests for partial cluster enrolment will be denied unless written approval has been provided by the teaching team.  Refrain from enrolling into subsequent clusters until written approval has been provided by the teaching team.

Pre-requisite units must be completed prior to completion of other relevant units of competency, this will be reflected in the training/study plan. 

e.g. SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety must be completed prior to completion of SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment, SITHCCC025 Prepare and present sandwiches, SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery, SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment, SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock. 

SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety More Information Training.gov Details
SITXWHS005 Participate in safe work practices More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment More Information Training.gov Details
SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC025 Prepare and present sandwiches More Information Training.gov Details
SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC028 Prepare appetisers and salads More Information Training.gov Details
Group 2

Students, please enroll into one full cluster at a time in the order outlined.
Partial cluster enrolment is permitted if credit has been applied for the other units in the cluster.   All other requests for partial cluster enrolment will be denied unless written approval has been provided by the teaching team.  Refrain from enrolling into subsequent clusters until written approval has been provided by the teaching team.

SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen requires the completion of 12 complete service periods. These service periods can be completed during on campus Restaurant services or during the students own work/volunteer service time within the industry. 

Pre-requisite unit/s apply to these elective units of competency.

Pre-requisite unit, SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety must be completed prior to the completion of SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups; SITHCCC026 Prepare packaged food stuffs, SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen. This will be reflected in the training/study plan.

SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC026 Package prepared foodstuffs More Information Training.gov Details
Group 3

Students, please enroll into one full cluster at a time in the order outlined.
Partial cluster enrolment is permitted if credit has been applied for the other units in the cluster.   All other requests for partial cluster enrolment will be denied unless written approval has been provided by the teaching team.  Refrain from enrolling into subsequent clusters until written approval has been provided by the teaching team.

SITXCOM007 Show social and cultural sensitivity More Information Training.gov Details
SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Sequence Unit
1 SITXFSA005 - Use hygienic practices for food safety
2 SITXWHS005 - Participate in safe work practices
3 SITHCCC023 - Use food preparation equipment
4 SITHKOP009 - Clean kitchen premises and equipment
5 SITHCCC027 - Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery
6 SITHCCC025 - Prepare and present sandwiches
7 SITXINV006 - Receive, store and maintain stock
8 SITHCCC028 - Prepare appetisers and salads
9 SITHCCC034 - Work effectively in a commercial kitchen
10 SITHCCC029 - Prepare stocks, sauces and soups
11 SITHCCC026 - Package prepared foodstuffs
12 SITXCOM007 - Show social and cultural sensitivity
13 SITXFSA006 - Participate in safe food handling practices


Start TAFE Now (STN) - ON CAMPUS

This course is available to study over 36 weeks part-time with students participating in on-campus training one day per week. On-campus training occurs on Tuesdays for a period of 8 hours, for 12 service periods (students may opt to undertake service periods in industry where applicable). This course is competency based, so it may be possible for learners to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.

The Certificate II in Cookery has been designed to combine hands-on practical training with industry-relevant knowledge to help students build the foundational skills required for a career in the hospitality industry. Training is delivered through a blend of classroom learning, online theory via our learning platform Moodle, and practical hands-on activities. Students will develop their cookery skills in CQUniversity’s commercial training kitchens under the guidance of industry experienced teachers.

Students will gain real-world experience in preparing and presenting a variety of food items, operating kitchen equipment, maintaining food safety and hygiene standards, managing stock, and working effectively within a kitchen team. Practical training and assessment activities are designed to simulate authentic real-world hospitality working environments, ensuring graduates develop job-ready skills that can be transferred across a range of hospitality and food service roles

  • On-campus
Group 1

Pre-requisite units must be completed prior to completion of other relevant units of competency, this will be reflected in the training/study plan. 

e.g. SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety must be completed prior to completion of SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment, SITHCCC025 Prepare and present sandwiches, SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery, SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment, SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock. 

SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety More Information Training.gov Details
SITXWHS005 Participate in safe work practices More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment More Information Training.gov Details
SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC025 Prepare and present sandwiches More Information Training.gov Details
SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC028 Prepare appetisers and salads More Information Training.gov Details
Group 2

SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen requires the completion of 12 complete service periods. These service periods can be completed during on campus Restaurant services or during the students own work/volunteer service time within the industry. 

Pre-requisite unit/s apply to these units of competency.

Pre-requisite unit, SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety must be completed prior to the completion of SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups; SITHCCC026 Prepare packaged food stuffs, SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen. This will be reflected in the training/study plan.

SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC026 Package prepared foodstuffs More Information Training.gov Details
Group 3
SITXCOM007 Show social and cultural sensitivity More Information Training.gov Details
SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Sequence Unit
1 SITXFSA005 - Use hygienic practices for food safety
2 SITXWHS005 - Participate in safe work practices
3 SITHCCC023 - Use food preparation equipment
4 SITHKOP009 - Clean kitchen premises and equipment
5 SITHCCC027 - Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery
6 SITHCCC025 - Prepare and present sandwiches
7 SITXINV006 - Receive, store and maintain stock
8 SITHCCC028 - Prepare appetisers and salads
9 SITHCCC034 - Work effectively in a commercial kitchen
10 SITHCCC029 - Prepare stocks, sauces and soups
11 SITHCCC026 - Package prepared foodstuffs
12 SITXCOM007 - Show social and cultural sensitivity
13 SITXFSA006 - Participate in safe food handling practices


Trainees

52 weeks full-time or 104 weeks part-time (as per registered training contract). However, as it is competency based, it may be possible for learners to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level and agreed workplace sign off.

Student must be within a Queensland registered traineeship.

  • Employer Based (VET Providers Only)
Core

Pre-requisite units must be completed prior to completion of other relevant units of competency, this will be reflected in the training/study plan. 

e.g. SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety must be completed prior to completion of SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment. SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery, SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen, SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment, SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock.

SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety More Information Training.gov Details
SITXWHS005 Participate in safe work practices More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen More Information Training.gov Details
SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock More Information Training.gov Details
SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
Elective

Pre-requisite units apply to these elective units of competency.

Pre-requisite unit/s must be completed prior to the completion of SITHCCC025 Prepare and present sandwiches; SITHCCC028 Prepare appetisers and salads; SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups; SITHCCC026 Package prepared foodstuffs. This will be reflected in the training/study plan.

SITHCCC025 Prepare and present sandwiches More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC028 Prepare appetisers and salads More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC026 Package prepared foodstuffs More Information Training.gov Details
SITXCOM007 Show social and cultural sensitivity More Information Training.gov Details
SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Sequence Unit
1 SITXFSA005 - Use hygienic practices for food safety
2 SITXWHS005 - Participate in safe work practices
3 SITHCCC025 - Prepare and present sandwiches
4 SITHCCC023 - Use food preparation equipment
5 SITHCCC027 - Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery
6 SITHCCC028 - Prepare appetisers and salads
7 SITHCCC029 - Prepare stocks, sauces and soups
8 SITHCCC026 - Package prepared foodstuffs
9 SITHCCC034 - Work effectively in a commercial kitchen
10 SITXINV006 - Receive, store and maintain stock
11 SITHKOP009 - Clean kitchen premises and equipment
12 SITXCOM007 - Show social and cultural sensitivity
13 SITXFSA006 - Participate in safe food handling practices


RPL Structure

RPL Only

The time to complete this qualification via RPL is dependent on the timely supply of suitable RPL evidence by the candidate. Generally, RPL may take a duration between 3 and 6 months.

  • RPL/RCC/Credit
RPL Units

Pre-requisite units apply to core and elective units of competency.

Pre-requisite unit/s must be completed prior to the completion of SITHCCC023, SITHCCC027, SITHCCC034, SITHKOP009, SITXINV006, SITHCCC025; SITHCCC028; SITHCCC029; SITHCCC026. This will be reflected in the training/study plan.

 

SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety More Information Training.gov Details
SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC026 Package prepared foodstuffs More Information Training.gov Details
SITXCOM007 Show social and cultural sensitivity More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC025 Prepare and present sandwiches More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC028 Prepare appetisers and salads More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups More Information Training.gov Details
SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices More Information Training.gov Details
SITXWHS005 Participate in safe work practices More Information Training.gov Details
SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen More Information Training.gov Details
SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Unit Code Unit Name
SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety
SITHKOP009 Clean kitchen premises and equipment
SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment
SITHCCC026 Package prepared foodstuffs
SITXCOM007 Show social and cultural sensitivity
SITHCCC025 Prepare and present sandwiches
SITHCCC028 Prepare appetisers and salads
SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups
SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices
SITXWHS005 Participate in safe work practices
SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock
SITHCCC034 Work effectively in a commercial kitchen
SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery

Course Assessment Information

Assessment Types
Written/Electronic Assessment
Practical Task
Third Party Verification
RPL
Other
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

On Campus
On-campus
Mackay City

February: Full Time/Part Time

March: Full Time/Part Time

July: Full Time/Part Time

August: Full Time/Part Time

Rockhampton City

February: Full Time/Part Time

March: Full Time/Part Time

July: Full Time/Part Time

August: Full Time/Part Time

Start TAFE Now (STN) - ON CAMPUS
Trainees
RPL Structure

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

On Campus
On-campus
Mackay City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Rockhampton City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Start TAFE Now (STN) - ON CAMPUS
Trainees
RPL Structure

Domestic 2026 Availabilities

On Campus
On-campus
Mackay City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Rockhampton City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Start TAFE Now (STN) - ON CAMPUS
On-campus
Mackay City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Rockhampton City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Trainees
RPL Structure

Domestic 2027 Availabilities

On Campus
On-campus
Mackay City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Rockhampton City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Start TAFE Now (STN) - ON CAMPUS
On-campus
Mackay City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Rockhampton City

February: Full Time/Part Time

Trainees
RPL Structure
More Details