Chefs — Australia Visa Sponsorship
Primary route: Subclass 482 Skills in Demand
Why Chefs matter in Australia
Chef is on the Core Skills Occupation List with generous 4-year visa terms. Regional Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia actively sponsor chefs via Subclass 494 with prioritised PR pathways.
Visa rules overview
Standard 482 route requires 2 years work experience + TSMIT salary of AUD 73,150+. Subclass 494 Regional has lower thresholds and direct PR path after 3 years regional work.
Available routes:
- Subclass 482
- Subclass 494 (Regional)
- Subclass 186
Top Australian sponsors for Chefs
- Hotel groups (Accor, Hilton)
- Large restaurant groups
- Regional fine dining
Common hiring cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Regional Australia
Australian certification requirements
Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery + Skills Assessment via Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a Australia visa as a Chef?
Standard 482 route requires 2 years work experience + TSMIT salary of AUD 73,150+. Subclass 494 Regional has lower thresholds and direct PR path after 3 years regional work.
Which companies sponsor Chefs?
Hotel groups (Accor, Hilton), Large restaurant groups, Regional fine dining — plus smaller and regional employers not listed.
What salary should I expect?
Typical range: AUD 65,000 – 100,000 AUD. Salaries trend higher at large-cap tech, finance, and consulting employers.
Do I need local certification?
Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery + Skills Assessment via Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)