Last updated: 1 April 2026

Australia PR for Chefs: Complete Pathway Guide

Australia’s hospitality industry faces a persistent shortage of qualified chefs. Hotels, restaurants, aged care facilities, resort destinations, and mining camps across the country struggle to fill commercial kitchen positions. This shortage has kept Chef on Australia’s skilled occupation lists for years and has driven the creation of special migration agreements (DAMAs) that provide additional pathways for hospitality workers in regional areas.

This guide covers every step of the PR process for chefs: which ANZSCO codes apply, the TRA skills assessment, visa pathway options including DAMA, points estimates, state nomination strategies, costs, and a realistic timeline from start to finish.

Can Chefs Get Australia PR?

Yes, and chefs are among the most consistently in-demand trade occupations in the Australian migration system. Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which provides access to all major skilled visa pathways: the subclass 189 visa (Skilled Independent), the subclass 190 visa (State Nominated), the subclass 491 visa (Skilled Work Regional), and the subclass 186 employer-sponsored visa.

Australia’s hospitality sector employs over 900,000 workers, and the chef shortage has been identified as one of the most acute skills gaps in the economy. The shortage is driven by several factors: high staff turnover in hospitality, growing tourism and dining sectors, the expansion of aged care catering, and the difficulty of attracting domestic workers to demanding kitchen roles. Regional Australia faces the most severe shortages, with many establishments unable to fill chef positions for extended periods.

For chefs applying from overseas, the key requirements are a positive skills assessment from TRA (Trades Recognition Australia), a competitive points score or an employer willing to sponsor, and meeting English language requirements. The DAMA visa pathway offers additional concessions for chefs willing to work in designated regional areas, including lower English requirements and access to occupations that may not appear on standard lists.

It is important to understand the distinction between Chef and Cook for migration purposes. Chef (351311) requires menu planning, kitchen management, and recipe development responsibilities. Cook (351411) involves food preparation under direction. Chef is on the MLTSSL with broader visa access; Cook is on the STSOL and ROL with more limited pathways. Your classification depends on your actual duties and qualifications, not your job title.

ANZSCO Codes for Chefs and Cooks

Your ANZSCO code determines which visa pathways and state nomination programs you can access. The following hospitality occupations are on the skilled occupation lists as of the 2025-26 program year.

Chef (351311) offers the broadest pathway access and is the recommended nomination for anyone whose duties include menu planning, kitchen management, staff supervision, and recipe development. If your role is primarily food preparation under the direction of a chef, Cook (351411) is the appropriate code. Nominating as Chef when your duties are at Cook level will result in a negative TRA assessment.

The distinction matters significantly for your PR pathway. Chefs can access the 189 visa (no sponsor or nomination required), while Cooks are limited to state-nominated and employer-sponsored pathways. If you are a Cook considering upskilling to Chef level, gaining experience in menu development and kitchen management can enable a future Chef nomination.

Which Visa Pathway Suits Chefs?

Chefs have access to more visa pathways than most trade occupations. The right choice depends on your points score, whether you have an employer willing to sponsor you, and whether you are open to regional living.

The subclass 189 is available to chefs and does not require pro-rata arrangements. Invitation scores for Chef are generally moderate, making the 189 achievable for candidates with 70-75 points. However, the points test can be challenging for trade-qualified chefs who may not hold a bachelor’s degree (15 points for a trade certificate versus 15 for a degree).

The subclass 190 and subclass 491 are strong options because states actively nominate chefs for regional positions. The 491 regional visa is particularly well-suited to chefs because regional hospitality is where the shortage is most acute. The 15-point nomination bonus can compensate for a lower base points score.

The DAMA pathway deserves special attention for chefs. Designated Area Migration Agreements operate in the Northern Territory, parts of South Australia, regional Queensland, regional Victoria, and other areas. DAMAs offer concessions including English language requirements as low as IELTS 5.0 overall, lower salary thresholds, and access for Cooks who may not qualify through standard pathways. The DAMA 482 visa leads to PR through the 186 pathway after 2 to 3 years.

Employer sponsorship through the subclass 186 is a well-established pathway for chefs. Many Australian hospitality businesses are approved sponsors and actively recruit chefs from overseas. The Direct Entry stream requires 3 years of post-qualification experience, while the Temporary Residence Transition stream requires 2 years of work with the sponsoring employer on a 482 visa.

TRA Skills Assessment for Chefs

The assessing authority for Chef and Cook occupations is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). You can find the full process in our TRA skills assessment guide.

What TRA assesses:

• Your qualification is equivalent to an Australian Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery (or higher)
• You have completed the required practical training and work experience at the appropriate skill level
• Your duties match the ANZSCO description for your nominated occupation
• You meet the English language requirements

Assessment pathways:

For offshore applicants, the standard TRA skills assessment evaluates your overseas qualifications and work experience against Australian standards. You need to demonstrate that your qualification is equivalent to a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and that you have worked as a chef (not a cook) for a minimum period.

For Australian graduates, the Job Ready Program is a multi-stage process that includes a Provisional Skills Assessment, Job Ready Employment (360 hours of paid work in Australia), a Job Ready Workplace Assessment (a practical assessment of your skills in an Australian kitchen), and a final Job Ready Final Assessment. The entire program takes approximately 12 months.

Documentation required:

• Certified copies of commercial cookery qualifications and transcripts
• Detailed employment references describing chef duties (menu planning, kitchen management, food preparation, staff supervision)
• Evidence of training (apprenticeship records, training logs)
• Passport identification pages
• English language test results (minimum IELTS 6.0 each band or PTE 50)
• Photographs of workplace and dishes (TRA may request these)

Critical tip: Your employment references must clearly distinguish between Chef and Cook duties. TRA looks for evidence of menu planning, recipe creation, costing, stock management, and kitchen staff supervision. References that describe only food preparation and cooking under instruction will result in a Cook assessment, not a Chef assessment.

Points Estimate for Chefs

A typical chef applicant aged 30 with 6 years of overseas experience, a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, and competent English can expect the following score breakdown.

The points test is more challenging for chefs than for university-educated professionals because trade qualifications attract 10 points compared to 15 for a bachelor’s degree. This 5-point gap means English language proficiency becomes the most critical points lever. A chef with Competent English (0 points) will struggle to reach 65 without both state nomination and other bonus points. A chef with Proficient English (10 points) reaches competitive thresholds much more easily.

Key points levers for chefs:

• English: The most impactful improvement. Moving from Competent (0 points) to Proficient (10 points) adds 10 points. Moving to Superior (20 points) adds 20 points. Invest in English test preparation.
• Work experience: Chefs often accumulate substantial overseas experience. 5 to 7 years overseas adds 10 points; 8 or more years adds 15 points.
• State/regional nomination: The 491 adds 15 points and is often the pathway that makes the maths work for chefs with moderate English scores.
• Partner skills: If your partner has a positive skills assessment and competent English, you gain 10 points.

State Nomination and DAMA Options for Chefs

State nomination and DAMA pathways are where chefs have the strongest opportunities. Regional Australia has the most severe hospitality shortages, and states actively recruit chefs through both standard nomination programs and special migration agreements.

The Northern Territory DAMA is particularly noteworthy for chefs. It offers the most generous concessions: English requirements as low as IELTS 5.0 overall, lower salary thresholds, and a clear pathway from 482 to 186 PR. The NT has the most acute hospitality shortage in the country, and the DAMA has been designed to address this directly.

South Australia classifies the entire state as regional for migration purposes, which means chefs can access the 491 visa with its 15-point bonus even when working in Adelaide. South Australia’s nomination criteria for chefs tend to be more accessible than NSW or Victoria.

Queensland has strong demand in tourism regions including Cairns, the Whitsundays, and the Gold Coast hinterland. The Far North Queensland DAMA targets hospitality occupations specifically.

Cost and Timeline

The end-to-end cost and timeline for a chef applying for PR through the skilled migration pathway.

The DAMA pathway takes longer because it requires 2 to 3 years on a 482 visa before transitioning to the 186. However, during this time you are working full-time in Australia, earning income, and gaining Australian experience that strengthens your overall profile. For chefs who cannot reach competitive points thresholds, the DAMA pathway is often the most practical route to PR.

Step-by-Step Process for Chefs

1. Determine whether you qualify as Chef or Cook. Review the ANZSCO descriptions for Chef (351311) and Cook (351411). Chef requires menu planning, kitchen management, and recipe development. Cook involves food preparation under direction. Your actual duties, not your job title, determine your classification.

2. Sit your English test. TRA requires at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band or PTE 50). For maximum points, target Proficient (IELTS 7.0 / PTE 65) or Superior (IELTS 8.0 / PTE 79). If pursuing a DAMA pathway, lower English scores may be accepted.

3. Apply for TRA skills assessment. Gather certified copies of your commercial cookery qualifications, employment references detailing chef duties, training records, and identification documents. Submit through the TRA online portal.

4. Calculate your points score. Include only points you can substantiate. If your total is below 65, consider the 491 regional pathway (15-point bonus) or employer sponsorship (no points test required).

5. Research DAMA options if your points score is not competitive or your English is below Competent. Identify which DAMAs include Chef or Cook and research employer sponsors in those regions.

6. Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect (for points-tested pathways). Select the visa subclass and your nominated occupation. If targeting the 190 or 491, select the states you are interested in.

7. Apply for state nomination if targeting the 190 or 491. Emphasise your hospitality experience and willingness to work in regional areas where demand is highest.

8. Receive an invitation and lodge your visa application. You have 60 days from invitation to lodge. Submit all supporting documents including health checks and police clearances.

9. Await visa grant. Processing times vary by pathway. Points-tested visas typically take 6 to 14 months. DAMA pathways involve working in Australia for 2 to 3 years before transitioning to PR through the 186.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can chefs get PR in Australia? Yes. Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is on the MLTSSL, providing eligibility for the 189, 190, 491, and 186 visas. Cook (351411) is on the STSOL and ROL with more limited pathways. Chefs have broader visa access than cooks.

What is the difference between Chef and Cook for Australian PR? The distinction is based on the level of responsibility and qualification. A Chef plans menus, manages kitchen operations, supervises staff, and creates recipes. A Cook prepares food according to established menus under supervision. Chef is on the MLTSSL with access to the 189 visa; Cook is on the STSOL/ROL with more limited pathways.

How long does the TRA skills assessment take for chefs? TRA skills assessments for chefs typically take 12 to 16 weeks for a standard offshore application. The Job Ready Program for Australian graduates involves multiple stages over approximately 12 months. Processing times depend on documentation completeness.

Can chefs use the DAMA pathway for PR? Yes. Several DAMAs include Chef and Cook occupations. The Northern Territory DAMA, South Australia Regional DAMA, and several regional DAMAs in Queensland and Victoria include hospitality occupations. DAMA visas can lead to PR through the 186 pathway with concessions on English and salary requirements.

What English score do chefs need for Australian PR? For TRA assessment purposes, chefs need at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band or PTE 50). For the points test, Competent English scores zero additional points. Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 / PTE 65) adds 10 points. DAMA pathways may accept lower English scores.

Next Steps

• Australian permanent residency overview
• Australia PR requirements
• TRA skills assessment guide
• DAMA visa pathway
• Subclass 189 visa details
• Subclass 190 visa details
• Subclass 491 visa details
• Fastest way to get PR in Australia