[2025–2026 Guide] How to Migrate to Australia as a Chef: Pathways, Points & Process

TL;DR: You can migrate to Australia as a chef through skilled independent, state-nominated, regional, or employer-sponsored visas, provided you secure a positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), meet English requirements, and score at least 65 points. The occupation’s listing on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) creates strong pathways to permanent residency for qualified culinary professionals.

Why Australia Actively Recruits Skilled Chefs

Australia’s hospitality sector has a sustained, critical demand for skilled chefs. This shortage is driven by consistent industry growth, a rebound in tourism, and an aging domestic workforce. Consequently, the occupation of Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is listed on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This official designation is the cornerstone for chef migration, as it makes the role eligible for the most sought-after permanent skilled visas. For you, this translates into a clear, government-backed pathway to build a long-term career and life in Australia, with multiple visa options leading to permanent residency.

• Official Demand: Chef is on the MLTSSL, signalling long-term national need.
• Industry Drivers: Growth in hospitality, tourism, and catering sectors fuels demand.
• Regional Focus: Shortages are often more acute in regional areas, which can offer faster visa pathways.
• Career Stability: Migration pathways are designed to address this structural shortage, offering job security.

Core Eligibility: The Non-Negotiable Requirements for Chef Migration

To be eligible for a skilled visa as a chef, you must satisfy four fundamental criteria set by the Australian government. Think of these as your foundation; without them, your application cannot proceed.

First, you need a formal qualification. This is typically a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or higher, or an equivalent overseas diploma. Second, you must demonstrate a minimum of 2-3 years of full-time, post-qualification work experience as a chef. This experience must be verifiable with payslips, tax records, and employment references. Third, you must prove English language proficiency, usually through tests like IELTS (a score of 6.0 in each band is common) or PTE. Finally, you must meet standard health and character requirements. The most critical step, however, is validating your skills against Australian standards.

The Mandatory Gateway: Your TRA Skills Assessment

A positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is an absolute prerequisite for any skilled visa application as a chef. This process verifies that your qualifications and work experience meet the Australian standard for the trade. The assessment pathway you use depends on where you gained your experience.

For chefs trained outside Australia, the primary route is the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP), which involves a documentary evidence review and a technical interview. For those who have completed an Australian qualification, the Job Ready Program (JRP) is common, involving supervised employment. This assessment is not a mere formality; a negative result will end your visa hopes. Preparing a thorough, evidence-backed application is crucial. Professional guidance or tools that help you align your experience with ANZSCO criteria can be invaluable here.

Analysing Your Best Visa Pathways as a Chef

With a positive TRA assessment in hand, you can explore several visa pathways. The right choice depends on your points score, willingness to live in specific regions, and ability to secure a job offer.

1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This is the “gold standard” permanent residency visa. It requires no sponsor, just a high points score in the invitation rounds. It’s highly competitive but offers complete freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia.
2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): Another permanent residency visa, but it requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. States nominate chefs based on their local labour needs, often requiring a commitment to live in that state for 2 years. The points threshold for invitation can be lower than for the 189.
3. Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): A temporary visa that leads directly to permanent residency (Subclass 191). It requires sponsorship by a state or an eligible family member living in a designated regional area. This is a strategic option for those with moderate points, as it offers additional points and addresses acute regional shortages.
4. Employer Sponsored Visas (Subclasses 482 & 186): These require a formal job offer from an Australian employer. The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482) allows you to work for up to 4 years, with a pathway to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (Subclass 186) for permanent residency. This pathway is ideal for chefs with significant experience and a specific job offer.

Mastering the Points System: Your Key to an Invitation

For the 189, 190, and 491 visas, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be ranked on a points test. The current pass mark is 65 points, but in practice, invitation rounds are competitive, and higher scores are typically required. Points are awarded for:

• Age: Maximum points (30) for applicants aged 25-32.
• English Language Ability: Superior (20 pts) or Proficient (10 pts) scores yield significant points.
• Skilled Employment Experience: Points for years of experience overseas (up to 15) and in Australia (up to 20).
• Educational Qualifications: A doctorate (20 pts), bachelor’s/master’s (15 pts), or recognised trade qualification (10 pts).
• Other Factors: Points for studying in regional Australia, credentialled community language skills, and professional year completion.
• Sponsorship: State nomination (190) adds 5 points; regional sponsorship or nomination (491) adds 15 points.

Accurately calculating your points is complex but essential. Using a dedicated tool like the NovenAI EOI Points Calculator can help you model different scenarios—such as improving your English score or gaining another year of experience—to see how they impact your total and your chances of invitation.

Your Step-by-Step Migration Action Plan

Navigating the chef migration process is a sequential journey. Follow these steps to build a strong, compliant application.

1. Confirm Occupation Eligibility: Verify that “Chef” (351311) is on the current MLTSSL.
2. Undertake Skills Assessment: Apply for and obtain a positive outcome from TRA via the correct pathway (OSAP or JRP).
3. Complete English Testing: Sit for an approved test (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1 Advanced) and achieve the required score.
4. Calculate Your Points: Precisely determine your points score. For a dynamic assessment, use the NovenAI Visa Success Predictor, which analyses current invitation round data to give you a realistic view of your prospects.
5. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Create a profile in the SkillSelect system, stating your points claim and selected visa preferences.
6. Secure Nomination/Sponsorship (if applicable): If applying for a 190 or 491 visa, research and apply for state nomination. For employer-sponsored visas, secure a job offer and have your employer lodge a nomination.
7. Receive and Accept an Invitation: If applying for a points-tested visa, wait for an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs.
8. Lodge Your Visa Application: Once invited or nominated, you have 60 days to submit your complete visa application with all supporting documents, including health and police checks.

Launching Your Culinary Career in Australia

The job market for chefs in Australia is robust and diverse. Opportunities span high-end metropolitan restaurants, bustling cafes, hotel kitchens, resort establishments, and contract catering companies. A key strategic insight is that regional areas—such as those in South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and parts of Queensland and Western Australia—often have more pronounced shortages. Targeting these regions can not only expedite your visa process through state nomination but also provide a fantastic quality of life and a strong sense of community as you establish your new career.

Migrating to Australia as a chef is a structured and achievable goal, thanks to the occupation’s critical status. Success hinges on meticulous preparation: acing your TRA skills assessment, maximising your points score, and choosing the visa pathway that aligns with your profile. While the process is detailed, it is designed to bring skilled talent like you to where it’s needed most.

Ready to turn your Australian dream into a recipe for success? Start your journey with confidence at NovenAI, where you can access free migration tools, get real-time policy updates, and receive guided support tailored to your chef migration pathway.