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

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) and meet points and eligibility criteria. The occupation is in high demand and listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), offering clear pathways to permanent residency, especially with recent policy updates like the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa.

Why Australia Actively Recruits Skilled Chefs in 2025–2026

Australia’s hospitality sector has a critical and ongoing shortage of qualified chefs. This demand is driven by sustained industry growth, a rebound in tourism, and an aging domestic workforce. Consequently, the occupation of Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is firmly listed on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This official designation is crucial—it means the Australian government recognises chefs as a priority skill and facilitates their migration through multiple permanent and temporary visa streams. For you, this translates into strong opportunities for long-term work rights and a direct route to settling permanently in Australia. Industry reports confirm that chefs remain a top-priority occupation, with migration pathways actively streamlined to fill vacancies from metropolitan restaurants to regional resorts.

Core Eligibility: Are You Qualified to Migrate as a Chef?

To be eligible, you must meet a set of standard criteria verified by Australian authorities. The foundational requirements are non-negotiable and form the first hurdle in your application.

You need a formal qualification, proven experience, a skills assessment, and competent English. Specifically, you must hold a relevant qualification in commercial cookery or hospitality (typically a Certificate IV or higher). You also need a minimum of 2–3 years of full-time, post-qualification work experience as a chef. This experience must be verifiable with detailed employment references. Furthermore, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), which validates that your skills meet Australian standards. Finally, you must demonstrate competent English language proficiency (usually an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge) and satisfy standard age, health, and character requirements.

• Key Fact: The skills assessment is mandatory for most chef visa pathways and cannot be bypassed.
• Key Fact: While ‘Competent English’ is the baseline, higher scores (Proficient or Superior) award crucial extra migration points.
• Key Fact: Your work experience must be at the chef level (ANZSCO 351311), not as a cook (ANZSCO 351411), as they are distinct occupations for migration purposes.

The Mandatory Skills Assessment: Navigating Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

A positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is your ticket to the Australian skilled migration system. This process rigorously evaluates your formal training and hands-on experience against Australian industry standards.

TRA offers different pathways depending on where you gained your qualifications. The Job Ready Program (JRP) is for those who have completed a relevant Australian qualification. The Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) is designed for chefs trained overseas. The assessment involves scrutinising your certificates, dissecting your employment history, and, for some pathways, a practical skills demonstration. It’s a detailed process that can take several months, so starting early is essential. A common pitfall is insufficient evidence of tasks aligning with the ANZSCO chef description, so meticulous documentation is key. For precise guidance on aligning your experience with the ANZSCO code, tools like NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor can analyse your profile against official criteria.

Updated Visa Pathways for Chefs: From Permanent Residency to New Employer Streams

The landscape for chef migration includes both classic points-based visas and newly reformed employer-sponsored streams. Your choice depends on your points score, willingness to live in specific regions, and ability to secure a job offer.

The main pathways are:

1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This is the “gold standard” for permanent residency (PR), requiring no sponsor. It’s purely points-based and highly competitive. Ideal for high-scoring chefs without employer or state ties.
2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This grants PR but requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. States often have slightly lower points thresholds than the 189 visa and may prioritise chefs willing to work in their jurisdiction.
3. Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): A temporary visa leading to PR. It requires sponsorship by a state or an eligible family member living in a designated regional area. It offers additional points and is a strategic option if you are open to living outside major cities like Sydney or Melbourne.

A significant update is the overhaul of the employer-sponsored system. As of late 2024, the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482) is being replaced by the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa. This new visa features three pathways, with chefs typically falling under the Core Skills Pathway. Key changes include clearer pathways to permanent residency, more flexible mobility between employers, and updated occupation lists. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has also increased to $73,150 (as of 1 July 2024), which is the minimum salary an employer must offer for a sponsored position. Understanding these evolving rules is critical; platforms like NovenAI provide instant policy alerts to keep applicants ahead of such changes.

• External Reference: For a detailed breakdown of the new SID visa and Core Skills Pathway for chefs, see this 2025 employer-sponsored guide{:target=“_blank”}.
• External Reference: Learn more about the broader migration opportunities and the MLTSSL listing for chefs in this 2025 pathways analysis{:target=“_blank”}.

Mastering the Points System: How to Score 65+ for Chef Migration

Eligibility for the Subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas hinges on a points test. You must score a minimum of 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), but in practice, competitive scores for chefs are often significantly higher.

Points are awarded for:

• Age: Maximum points (30) for applicants aged 25–32.
• English Language Ability: From ‘Competent’ (0 points) to ‘Superior’ (20 points).
• Skilled Employment Experience: Both overseas and Australian experience are recognised, up to 15 points.
• Educational Qualifications: From a recognised trade qualification to a PhD.
• Australian Study Qualifications: For study completed in Australia.
• Regional Study or Residence: Additional points for study or living in regional Australia.
• Partner Skills: If your partner has competent English and a suitable skills assessment.
• Nomination: 5 points for a Subclass 491 nomination or 5 points for a Subclass 190 state nomination.

Strategic planning is essential. For example, improving your English from ‘Competent’ to ‘Superior’ adds a substantial 20 points. Using a tool like the NovenAI EOI Points Calculator can help you accurately calculate your current score and model scenarios to see where you can gain extra points.

Your Step-by-Step Action Plan to Migrate as a Chef

A successful migration journey follows a logical sequence. Missing a step or completing them out of order can lead to costly delays or refusals.

Follow this proven process:

1. Confirm Occupation Listing: Verify that Chef (351311) is on the current MLTSSL.
2. Initiate Skills Assessment: Apply for and obtain a positive outcome from TRA via the correct pathway (JRP or OSAP).
3. Undertake English Test: Sit for an approved test (IELTS, PTE) to secure your score report.
4. Calculate Your Points: Accurately determine your points score using official parameters. You can use our free EOI Points Calculator{:target=“_blank”} for a precise assessment.
5. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Lodge your EOI via the online SkillSelect system, indicating your chosen visa(s).
6. Secure Nomination/Sponsorship (if required): For 190 or 491 visas, apply for state nomination. For employer-sponsored visas, secure a formal job offer and employer nomination.
7. Receive Invitation and Apply: Once invited by the Department of Home Affairs, you have a limited time to lodge your complete visa application with all supporting documents.

Job Market and Regional Opportunities: Where Chefs Are Needed

Your skills are sought after nationwide. Opportunities abound in high-end metropolitan restaurants, hotel chains, resort kitchens, bustling cafes, and large-scale catering operations. However, a strategic advantage lies in regional Australia. Many regional areas—in states like South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, and regional NSW/Victoria—experience more acute skill shortages. Consequently, state governments often prioritise chefs for nomination under their regional migration programs. Choosing a regional pathway (like the Subclass 491) not only improves your nomination chances but also grants you extra migration points, creating a faster track to your visa and eventual permanent residency.

Conclusion: Turning Your Culinary Career into an Australian Future

Migrating to Australia as a skilled chef is a structured and achievable goal, backed by genuine industry demand and multiple visa pathways. The journey hinges on meticulous preparation: securing a positive TRA assessment, maximising your points score, and navigating the latest visa regulations, including the new Skills in Demand visa framework. While the process is complex, each step brings you closer to a rewarding career in one of the world’s most vibrant hospitality scenes.

Ready to map your specific pathway? Let our AI migration mentor, powered by a continuously updated knowledge base of Australian immigration law, provide you with a personalised strategy. Start your free assessment with NovenAI today{:target=“_blank”} and take your first confident step towards Australia.