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

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 language requirements, and score at least 65 points on the immigration points test. The occupation of Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is in high demand and listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), offering clear pathways to permanent residency for qualified professionals.

Why Australia Actively Recruits Skilled Chefs

Australia’s hospitality sector is experiencing a sustained chef shortage, creating exceptional migration opportunities. This demand is driven by robust industry growth, a resurgence 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), making it eligible for the most sought-after permanent skilled migration visas. Industry reports, such as a 2025 submission by Accommodation Australia, highlight a deepening “chef skills crisis,” underscoring the critical role of skilled migration in filling these vacancies. For a chef with the right credentials, this translates into a strong likelihood of obtaining long-term work rights and permanent residency.

Key reasons for the shortage:

• Industry Expansion: New restaurants, hotels, and catering services continue to open nationwide.
• Tourism Recovery: International and domestic travel has rebounded, increasing demand in hospitality hubs.
• Workforce Demographics: Experienced chefs are retiring, and there are fewer domestic trainees entering the field.
• Strategic Need: The government’s inclusion of Chef on the MLTSSL signals a long-term commitment to sourcing this skill from overseas.

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

To be eligible for a skilled migration visa as a chef, you must meet a set of standard criteria designed to ensure your skills match Australian industry standards.

You generally need a formal qualification, proven experience, a positive skills assessment, and competent English. The foundational requirements are consistent across most visa pathways and serve as your starting point.

Essential Eligibility Checklist:

• Formal Qualification: A relevant certificate, diploma, or degree in commercial cookery or hospitality from a recognised institution.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 2-3 years of full-time, post-qualification employment as a chef. Your experience must be verifiable with payslips, tax records, and employment references.
• Skills Assessment: A mandatory positive assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), proving your skills are equivalent to Australian standards.
• English Language Proficiency: A minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge English) in each component for most visas. Higher scores award more migration points.
• General Requirements: You must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation (with some exemptions), meet health standards, and have good character.

The Non-Negotiable First Step: TRA Skills Assessment

Before any visa application, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). This process validates your overseas qualifications and experience against Australian benchmarks.

The TRA assessment is a rigorous review of your training and work history. For chefs, the two primary pathways are the Job Ready Program (JRP) for those who studied in Australia, and the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) for overseas-trained chefs. The process involves submitting detailed evidence of your qualifications, employment, and, for OSAP, sometimes a technical interview or practical logbook. A positive outcome is a strict prerequisite for submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) for points-tested visas.

Analysing Your Visa Pathways for 2025-2026

Choosing the right visa is critical and depends on your points score, willingness to live in specific regions, and ability to secure a job offer. The landscape includes both established permanent visas and new temporary options like the Skills in Demand visa.

1. Points-Tested Permanent Visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491)

These visas are for chefs who can score highly on Australia’s points test. The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) requires no sponsorship but is highly competitive. The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) requires nomination by a state or territory government, which adds 5 points to your score. The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) requires nomination by a state or family sponsorship to live and work in regional Australia, adding 15 points and providing a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years.

2. Employer-Sponsored Visas (Subclass 186, 482, Skills in Demand)

These pathways require a job offer from an Australian employer. The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) leads directly to permanent residency. The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) is a temporary visa that can be a stepping stone to permanent residence. Notably, from late 2024, the new Skills in Demand visa began replacing the 482 visa, featuring clearer pathways to permanency and increased worker mobility. As highlighted in recent analyses, employer-sponsored routes remain popular but now require meeting the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which is currently $76,515.

Quick-Reference Visa Table for Chefs:

Mastering the Points System for Chef Migration

Your points score determines your ranking in invitation rounds for the 189, 190, and 491 visas. While the legal minimum is 65 points, the actual “invitation score” for chefs fluctuates based on demand and can be significantly higher. Points are awarded for age (maximum 30 points for those 25-32), English proficiency (up to 20 points for superior English), skilled employment experience (up to 15 points for 8+ years overseas), educational qualifications, and study in regional Australia. Nomination by a state for a 190 visa adds 5 points, while sponsorship for a 491 visa adds 15 points.

Accurately calculating your points is complex, as you must cross-reference your experience with ANZSCO definitions and ensure your evidence is assessment-ready. Using a specialised tool like NovenAI’s EOI Points Calculator can provide a precise, reliable score based on the latest legislative criteria, helping you identify where to improve your points before submitting your EOI.

Your Step-by-Step Migration Action Plan

Migrating as a chef is a sequential process. Missing a step or getting the order wrong can lead to costly delays or refusals.

1. Confirm Occupation Listing: Verify that Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is on the current MLTSSL.
2. Undertake English Test: Sit an approved test (IELTS, PTE) to confirm your proficiency level.
3. Initiate Skills Assessment: Apply for your TRA assessment (OSAP or JRP). This is often the longest step.
4. Calculate Your Points: Accurately determine your points score. For a dynamic assessment that accounts for the latest rules, consult NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor.
5. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Lodge an EOI through SkillSelect, selecting visas 189, 190, and/or 491.
6. Seek Nomination/Sponsorship: If applying for a 190 or 491, research and apply for state nomination. For employer-sponsored visas, secure a job offer.
7. Receive Invitation & Lodge Visa: Upon receiving an invitation to apply, submit your complete visa application within 60 days.

Job Market and Regional Opportunities

Chefs are needed across the entire Australian hospitality landscape. Major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane offer roles in high-end restaurants and large hotels. However, regional areas—such as Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory, and parts of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria—often present faster visa pathways. States actively nominate chefs for 190 and 491 visas to support their local tourism and hospitality industries. Regional employers may also be more proactive in sponsoring skilled workers, offering a direct route via the employer-sponsored pathway.

Conclusion: Plating Up Your Australian Future

Migrating to Australia as a skilled chef is a structured and achievable goal. The combination of an official skills shortage, multiple visa pathways, and a vibrant hospitality industry creates a favourable environment for qualified culinary professionals. Success hinges on meticulous preparation: securing a positive TRA assessment, maximising your points score, and choosing the visa pathway that aligns with your career and lifestyle goals. Given the complexity and frequent updates to migration law—such as the new Skills in Demand visa and changing salary thresholds—accessing accurate, current information is paramount.

Ready to turn your culinary expertise into an Australian future? NovenAI provides the precise tools and AI-driven guidance to navigate each step with confidence, from your initial points check to your final application. Start your free assessment at NovenAI today and take the first definitive step toward your new life Down Under.