Do you want to work as a chef in Australia? Do you dream of cooking in a country that loves food and has many restaurants, cafes, and hotels? In 2025, Australia needs many chefs and cooks. Employers are ready to give visa sponsorship to people from other countries.
This guide will help you understand how to move to Australia. We will talk about visas, skills, jobs, pay, and life in Australia.
The Australian Job Market for Chefs and Cooks
Right now, Australia has a big shortage of chefs and cooks. The government says that Chef (ANZSCO 351311) and Cook (ANZSCO 351411) are on the Skilled Occupation List.
This is good for you. It means there are many job and visa options for chefs.
The Visa Kitchen: Understanding Your Sponsorship Options
The visa system in Australia looks hard. But for chefs and cooks, there are some simple ways. The main step is to find an employer who will sponsor you.
Here are the main visas in 2025:
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (subclass 482)
This visa is the most common for chefs. It lets employers bring skilled workers when they cannot find locals.
- Good point: Chef is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This means later you may get permanent residency.
Requirements in 2025:
- At least two years of full-time work experience as a chef or cook.
- Employer must be an approved sponsor.
- Employer must show they tried to hire an Australian first.
Salary rule:
- From July 1, 2025, the minimum pay is AUD 76,515. This protects overseas workers from low pay.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494)
This easy visa is best if you need to duty outside big cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
- Boss must be in a local place.
- You can apply for permanent residency after 3 years.
- Local places often want more chefs, so duties are easier to seek.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (subclass 186)
This is a permanent visa. It lets you live and work in Australia forever.
There are two types:
- Temporary Residence Transition: Work with the same employer on a TSS visa for three years.
- Direct Entry: Have a positive skills assessment and three years of experience. This is harder from outside Australia.
Proving Your Skills: The Mandatory Skills Assessment
Most visas need a skills assessment. This is done by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
What it means:
You must prove your skills and experience are good enough for Australia.
Steps:
- Send documents like job references, payslips, and a list of duties.
- Some people must also do a technical interview.
Tip:
- Having Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery is very useful.
- If you do not have it, you need more years of experience.
The Art of the Job Search: From CV to Job Offer
You also need to prepare your resume (CV) and cover letter the Australian way.
Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter
- Use a clean and simple format.
- Write a short summary at the top.
- Show your skills and experience.
- Use action words. Example: instead of “managed a team,” write “led 5 cooks and improved kitchen speed by 15%.”
- Add words like Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Cook.
Where to Look for Visa Sponsorship Jobs
You can find jobs in many ways:
- Job boards: Websites like Seek and Indeed. Search “visa sponsorship chef” or “cook jobs Australia.”
- Direct contact: Email restaurants, hotels, and catering groups. Many big employers sponsor workers.
- Social media: Join Facebook and LinkedIn groups for chef jobs in Australia.
Life as a Chef in Australia: Salary and Lifestyle
Working as a chef in Australia is rewarding.
Salary:
- In 2025, the average chef earns AUD 75,000 to AUD 80,000 per year.
- Head Chefs earn more.
- Big cities usually pay higher than small towns.
Cost of Living:
- Life in cities can be expensive.
- For example, rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney is about AUD 3,771.95 per month.
- Regional areas are cheaper.
Lifestyle:
- Australia has a strong food culture.
- People love fresh food and creative cooking.
- Work-life balance is good compared to many countries.
(You can add a picture or chart showing salary vs. cost of living in Sydney and regional towns.)
Your Pathway to Permanent Residency: A Long-Term Career
Many chefs start with a temporary visa but later get permanent residency (PR).
Main ways to get PR:
- Skilled Migration Visas (subclass 189/190):
- Based on points.
- You need work experience in Australia and a positive skills test.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186):
- Employer sponsors you.
- A common way for chefs to get PR.
Call to Action
Australia is waiting for chefs with talent and passion. This is your chance.
- Update your resume.
- Search for employers who sponsor visas.
- Prepare your skills assessment.
Do you have questions about visas or skills tests? Write them in the comments. For new updates on jobs and visas, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.