How to Become a Chef in Australia and Get PR (2026 Guide)
- May 15
- 5 min read
Last Updated: 15 May 2026
Want to become a chef in Australia and get permanent residency (PR)?
In most cases, you will generally need to:
Complete commercial cookery qualifications
Gain relevant work experience
Pass a TRA skills assessment
Meet English requirements
Apply through a skilled migration or employer-sponsored visa pathway
Chef is currently listed on Australia’s skilled occupation lists, which means eligible applicants may access multiple PR pathways, including the Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 491, Subclass 482, and Subclass 186 visas.
This guide explains the exact steps, qualifications, visa options, skills assessments, and PR pathways for chefs in Australia in 2026.
Can You Get PR as a Chef in Australia?
Yes, chef is one of the occupations that may lead to Australian permanent residency if you meet the relevant migration requirements.
Chefs are currently listed on:
Because of this, eligible chefs may qualify for:
State nomination pathways
Regional migration pathways
Permanent residency pathways
However, PR is never guaranteed. Your eligibility depends on factors such as:
Qualifications
Work experience
English level
Age
Skills assessment outcome
Visa requirements
State nomination criteria
How to Become a Chef in Australia and Get PR
Step 1: Study Commercial Cookery in Australia
To become a qualified chef in Australia, you will generally need hospitality qualifications such as:
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
Diploma of Hospitality Management
If you are an international student, the course should usually be CRICOS-approved for Student Visa (Subclass 500) purposes.
Most commercial cookery courses take around 1.5 to 2 years and include practical kitchen training.
Why This Step Matters for PR
Studying commercial cookery in Australia may help you:
Meet qualification requirements for chef occupations
Become eligible for TRA assessment pathways
Gain Australian study points
Access post-study work opportunities
Build local work experience
Step 2: Gain Work Experience as a Chef
After completing your studies, you will usually need relevant work experience.
Work experience is important for:
TRA skills assessments
Skilled migration eligibility
Employer-sponsored visas
Permanent residency pathways
Many graduates first work under temporary visas such as:
Australian work experience may also improve your migration points score.
Step 3: Complete a TRA Skills Assessment
To apply for most chef migration pathways, you generally need a positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia.
This assessment confirms your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for chefs.
Main TRA Pathways for Chefs
Job Ready Program (JRP)
Usually for international students who studied in Australia.
This pathway may involve:
Qualification assessment
Employment verification
Workplace assessment
Relevant work experience
Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)
Commonly used for skilled migration visas such as:
Skills in Demand Skills Assessment
Used for employer-sponsored pathways such as the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482).
Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP)
For applicants with overseas chef qualifications and experience.
Step 4: Meet English Language Requirements
Chef visa pathways usually require English test results.
Accepted English tests may include:
IELTS
PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
Cambridge English
For many chef skilled migration pathways, applicants generally need at least Competent English, which may include:
IELTS: 6.0 in each band
PTE Academic: 50 in each section
Applicants applying for points-tested visas such as the:
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa
Subclass 190 State Nominated visa
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa
may aim for higher English scores to increase their migration points.
Examples may include:
Proficient English
IELTS: 7.0 in each band
PTE Academic: 65 in each section
Superior English
IELTS: 8.0 in each band
PTE Academic: 79 in each section
For employer-sponsored pathways such as the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482), English requirements may differ depending on the stream and individual circumstances.
Higher English scores may improve both migration competitiveness and visa eligibility.
Step 5: Apply Through a Chef PR Pathway
There are several visa pathways available for eligible chefs in Australia.
Skilled Migration Pathways for Chefs
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
A points-tested permanent residency visa without employer sponsorship.
Invitation scores can vary depending on migration demand.
Subclass 190 State Nominated Visa
Requires nomination from an Australian state or territory.
State nomination also provides additional migration points.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa
A regional skilled visa pathway that may lead to permanent residency later.
Regional areas often have stronger demand for chefs.
Employer-Sponsored Visa Pathways for Chefs
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
Allows approved Australian employers to sponsor chefs.
This is one of the most common chef sponsorship pathways in Australia.
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
A permanent residency employer-sponsored visa.
Some 482 visa holders later transition to the 186 visa.
Subclass 494 Regional Employer Sponsored Visa
For regional employer sponsorship opportunities.
Subclass 407 Training Visa
Designed for workplace-based occupational training.
What’s the Difference Between Chef, Cook, and Cookery?
These terms are often confused, but they refer to different things in Australia — especially for study and migration purposes.
Term | Meaning | Main Focus | Example |
Chef | A skilled hospitality professional who manages and prepares food in commercial kitchens | Kitchen management, menu planning, supervising staff, food preparation | Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef |
Cook | A worker who prepares and cooks food, usually under supervision | Cooking meals, food preparation, following recipes | Line Cook, Café Cook |
Cookery | The study or training field related to cooking and hospitality | Education and practical culinary training | Certificate III in Commercial Cookery |
Is Chef Still Good for PR in Australia in 2026?
Chef can still be a strong migration pathway because:
Hospitality demand continues across Australia
Regional businesses often need chefs
Multiple visa pathways remain available
Employer sponsorship opportunities exist
Skilled migration pathways are available
However, migration competitiveness can change regularly depending on:
Invitation rounds
Occupation ceilings
State nomination demand
Migration policy changes
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a chef in Australia?
Most commercial cookery pathways take around 1.5 to 2 years of study, followed by relevant work experience and migration processes.
Can international students get PR as a chef?
Potentially yes. Eligible graduates may progress through skilled migration or employer-sponsored pathways if they meet all requirements.
Do chefs need a skills assessment for PR?
Usually yes. Most chef migration pathways require a positive TRA skills assessment.
Is chef on the skilled occupation list in Australia?
Yes. Chef is currently listed on key Australian skilled occupation lists.
Can chefs get sponsored in Australia?
Yes. Many chefs receive sponsorship through hospitality employers under pathways such as the 482 or 494 visa.
What English test do chefs need for PR?
This depends on the visa pathway. Common accepted tests include IELTS and PTE Academic.
How RACC Can Help
Chef migration pathways can involve multiple stages, including qualifications, TRA skills assessments, employer sponsorship, state nomination, and skilled migration eligibility.
Registered Migration Agents (MARN1572962, MARN1172003) at RACC Australia can help assess your eligibility based on current migration requirements.
We can assist with:
Chef PR eligibility assessments
Skilled migration pathways
Employer-sponsored visa options
TRA skills assessment guidance
State nomination pathways
Student-to-PR planning
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