Skilled Migration Pathway
Chef Skills Assessment Australia | ANZSCO 351311 TRA Guide (June 2026)
Chefs are among the most successful and consistently in-demand skilled migrants in Australia, driven by a thriving hospitality industry, growing tourism sector, and a chronic shortage of qualified kitchen leadership across the country. With Chef confirmed on Australia's top-tier skilled occupation list, this is one of the strongest migration pathways available to hospitality professionals.
This guide covers the Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) skills assessment, visa pathways, points test, and how to achieve permanent residency in Australia as a Chef.
Occupation Snapshot – Quick Reference Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Chef |
| ANZSCO Code | 351311 |
| Skill Level | Skill Level 2 |
| Skills Assessing Body | TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) — Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) |
| Eligible Visa Subclasses | 189, 190, 491, 482, 186 |
| Occupation Lists | MLTSSL (confirmed June 2026) |
| Minimum Points Required | 65 points |
| English Requirement | Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) |
June 2026 Update
Chef (ANZSCO 351311) remains confirmed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) as of mid-2026, making it one of the most reliable and widely accessible skilled migration pathways to Australia. This means the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa IS available, alongside the 190, 491, 482, and 186 pathways — giving Chefs access to the full range of Australian skilled migration options. Always verify current list status with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent close to the time of your EOI submission, as eligibility is assessed at the time of invitation.
ANZSCO 351311
Who is a Chef (ANZSCO 351311)?
A Chef plans, organises, and directs the preparation and cooking of food in dining and catering establishments, typically with managerial and supervisory responsibility over a kitchen team. Under ANZSCO 351311, core duties include:
- Planning menus and estimating food and labour costs
- Recruiting, training, and supervising kitchen staff
- Demonstrating advanced cooking techniques and overseeing food preparation
- Ordering and inspecting food supplies and ensuring quality and freshness
- Discussing food preparation requirements with clients, restaurant managers, and front-of-house staff
- Monitoring food quality, consistency, and presentation standards
- Ensuring compliance with food safety, hygiene, and workplace health and safety standards
- Preparing and cooking food, often specialising in a particular cuisine
- Maintaining kitchen budgets, stock control, and rostering
- Developing new dishes and seasonal menus
Chefs in Australia hold a managerial-level role within the kitchen hierarchy, distinguishing them from Cooks (ANZSCO 351411), who typically work in a more operational capacity preparing food under supervision.
Skills Assessment
Skills Assessment: TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)
The designated skills assessing authority for Chefs (ANZSCO 351311) is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), via the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) program. TRA assesses whether your qualifications and experience are comparable to the Australian Skill Level 2 standard for this occupation (AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma — or at least three years of relevant experience as a substitute).
TRA Assessment Pathways
Pathway 1 – Qualifications + Experience
Hold a qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma in a closely related field (e.g. Commercial Cookery, Culinary Arts) AND have the required period of relevant post-qualification employment as a Chef.
Pathway 2 – Experience-Based Assessment
At least three years of full-time relevant employment as a Chef can substitute for formal qualifications, provided your duties reflect Skill Level 2 responsibilities (menu planning, costing, staff supervision).
Key Documents Required
- Academic qualifications: Certified copies of qualifications and transcripts (culinary diploma/degree).
- Employment reference letters: Detailed letters on official letterhead specifying duties (menu planning, costing, staff supervision, cuisine specialisation, dates, and hours).
- Professional CV/Resume: Fully updated summary of employment history.
- Identity Documents: Passport copy and translation of non-English documents.
- Forms & Fees: Completed TRA application form and fee payment (approx. AUD $750–$1,100).
Processing Time: Approximately 3–6 months depending on complexity and whether further information is requested.
TRA distinguishes Chefs from Cooks based on the level of responsibility demonstrated in your reference letters. To be assessed under ANZSCO 351311, your reference letters must clearly describe managerial and supervisory duties — not just food preparation. If your role was primarily hands-on cooking without supervisory or planning responsibility, ANZSCO 351411 (Cook) may be the more accurate code.
Eligible Visas
Visa Subclasses for Chefs
With Chef (ANZSCO 351311) on the MLTSSL, migration applicants have access to the full range of points-tested and employer-sponsored visa subclasses.
| Visa Subclass | Visa Name | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | PR; no sponsor needed; available on MLTSSL |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | PR; state nominates; +5 points bonus |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Prov.) | Provisional; regional; pathway to PR via 191 |
| 482 | Temporary Skill Shortage | Employer sponsored temporary pathway |
| 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | Employer sponsored permanent residency |
Visa 189 – Skilled Independent
Offers a direct route to permanent residency without needing a state nomination or employer sponsor. Chefs submit an EOI through SkillSelect, and invitations are issued based on points score. Chef has historically been one of the most consistently invited occupations in the SkillSelect 189 pool given strong, ongoing demand.
Visa 190 – Skilled Nominated
Most states actively nominate Chefs given the significant hospitality sector demand across Australia. State nomination adds 5 bonus points and can result in an invitation at a lower overall points score than the 189 pathway.
Visa 491 – Skilled Work Regional
The 491 visa is particularly strong for Chefs, as regional towns, tourist destinations, and wine regions across Australia have severe chef shortages. The 491 adds 15 bonus points and leads to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa after 3 years in a regional area.
Visa 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)
Restaurants, hotels, resorts, and catering companies across Australia frequently sponsor overseas Chefs under the TSS 482 visa. This is an extremely common pathway for hospitality migrants, given the chronic shortage of skilled kitchen leadership.
Visa 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
Provides permanent residency through employer nomination — via the Temporary Residence Transition stream (after 3 years on a 482 visa) or the Direct Entry stream for offshore applicants with an eligible Australian employer.
Points Test
Points Test for Chefs (189/190/491 Visas)
General Skilled Migration visas require meeting a minimum points threshold of 65 points. Below is a breakdown of how points are allocated:
| Factor | Details | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25–32 years | 30 points |
| English – Proficient | IELTS 7.0 each band or equivalent | 10 points |
| English – Superior | IELTS 8.0 each band or equivalent | 20 points |
| Overseas experience | 8–10 years post-qualification | 15 points |
| Australian experience | 8–10 years | 20 points |
| Qualifications | Diploma / Associate Degree comparability | 10 points |
| Qualifications | Bachelor degree or higher comparability | 15–20 points |
| Australian Study | Minimum 2 academic years study | 5 points |
| Partner skills / single | Competent partner / Single applicant | Up to 10 points |
| State nomination | Subclass 190 visa nomination | 5 points |
| Regional nomination | Subclass 491 visa nomination | 15 points |
Language Level
English Language Requirements
- IELTS: 6.0 per band (Competent - base visa requirements); 7.0 per band (Proficient - 10 pts); 8.0 per band (Superior - 20 pts)
- PTE Academic: 50 per skill (Competent); 65 (Proficient); 79 (Superior)
- TOEFL iBT / OET / CAE: Equivalent band scores accepted (e.g. OET Grade B for Superior/Proficient bands; CAE 169 per skill base)
Culinary Specialties
Cuisine Specialisations That Matter in Australia
Australia's diverse and multicultural dining scene means Chefs with the following specialisations are particularly sought after:
- Asian Cuisine: Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean — extremely high demand across all major cities.
- Modern Australian: Fusion and contemporary Australian dining, common in fine dining and hatted restaurants.
- Italian and Mediterranean: Strong and consistent demand across metro and regional areas.
- Pastry and Dessert Specialisation: Highly valued in boutique hotels, fine dining venues, and patisseries.
- Halal and Specialty Dietary: Growing demand linked to Australia's diverse population and specialty menus.
Highlighting your cuisine specialisation clearly in your CV and reference letters can significantly improve your employability with Australian employers seeking specific kitchen skills.
Salary Insights
Chef Salary Expectations in Australia (2026)
Qualified Chef (0–3 years post-qualification)
AUD $60,000 – $75,000 per year
Sous Chef / Senior Chef (3–8 years experience)
AUD $75,000 – $100,000 per year
Head Chef
AUD $90,000 – $130,000 per year
Executive Chef (multi-venue / hotel group)
AUD $130,000 – $180,000+ per year
Salaries vary by venue type, location, and reputation — fine dining and hatted restaurants, premium hotels, and resorts in major cities and tourist regions tend to offer the highest remuneration.
Nomination Opportunities
State Nomination Opportunities for Chefs
- New South Wales: Strong demand across Sydney's dining scene and regional NSW tourism areas.
- Victoria: Melbourne's globally recognised food culture creates consistent demand.
- Queensland: Tourism-driven demand in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, and regional QLD.
- Western Australia: Growing dining scene in Perth and regional wine/tourism areas (e.g. Margaret River).
- South Australia: Adelaide's food and wine tourism industry generates steady openings.
- Tasmania: Boutique dining, local produce, and food tourism growth drive demand.
- Northern Territory: Severe shortages in remote, regional, and tourism-focused regions.
Even with 189 access via the MLTSSL, state nomination via the 190 or 491 visa can still be a faster or more strategic pathway depending on your individual points score.
Occupation Differences
Chef (351311) vs Cook (351411)
| Feature | Chef (351311) | Cook (351411) |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Level | Level 2 (higher) | Level 3 |
| Primary Focus | Menu planning, costing, staff supervision | Food preparation under direction |
| Occupation List | MLTSSL | STSOL |
| 189 Visa Eligible | Yes | No |
| Assessing Body | TRA (MSA) | TRA (MSA) |
Selecting the correct ANZSCO code based on your actual level of responsibility is critical for a successful TRA assessment outcome.
Migration Services
Why Migrate & How Migration Republic Can Help Chefs
Chef is one of the strongest and most consistently successful skilled migration pathways to Australia. Migration Republic's experienced team has helped numerous culinary professionals successfully migrate and build thriving careers in Australia's hospitality industry.
Our services for Chefs include:
- ✔ TRA/MSA application preparation and document review
- ✔ EOI strategy and SkillSelect optimisation for the 189 visa
- ✔ State nomination strategy for 190 and 491 visas
- ✔ Employer sponsorship guidance for 482 and 186 visas
- ✔ Points score calculation and optimisation
- ✔ Full visa lodgement and ongoing case management
👉 Cook up your future in Australia. Let's plan it right from the start.
Interactive Tools
Calculate Points & Check Your Visa Eligibility
Use our interactive self-service migration tools to calculate your points score, test your eligibility, and discover your potential Australian visa options instantly.
PR Points Calculator
Calculate your skilled migration points score instantly to check your eligibility for permanent residency pathways.
Calculate Points ↗Visa Selection Quiz
Take our quick interactive quiz to find the most suitable Australian visa subclass for your personal profile.
Start Visa Quiz ↗Eligibility Checker
Verify if you meet the core requirements for Australian skilled, regional state nomination, or employer-sponsored visas.
Check Eligibility ↗FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start Your Chef Visa Pathway?
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Book Consultation TodayDisclaimer: Immigration laws, occupation lists, and assessing body requirements change regularly. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Please consult a registered migration agent or legal practitioner for advice specific to your circumstances.
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