Whether you’re in China or offshore, you can now apply for sponsorship migration with a travel exemption included! Don’t miss out on this in-demand shortage occupation!

Recently, we’ve received a number of migration enquiries from chef friends, and after detailed consultations, we’ve found that:

in Australia,chefs (both Western and Asian cuisine) rarely need to worry about finding work — in fact, they’re highly sought after by employers in the market. Many employers are even willing to offer employer sponsorship to bring chefs over from China to take charge of their kitchens.

What’s more, as an important occupation during the pandemic recovery period, chef is on the latest shortage occupation list under PMSOL(this list mainly applies to employer-sponsored migration), and the Department of Home Affairs has rolled out a series of visa concession measures for occupations on the shortage list.

Overall, the favourable migration conditions for chefs are as follows:

–Employer-sponsored applications for chefs will receive priority processing

–Offshore applicants on a 494/482 (TR) can apply for a travel exemption to enter Australia through Australian employment

–Student visa holders working in hospitality currently have no weekly work-hour limit

–and can apply for the Subclass 408 visa, which carries full-time work rights

So, whenever clients ask:

“What’s the best migration pathway for a chef?”

Employer sponsorship

is the answer — you can’t go wrong!!

A Chef, or professional cook, needs to be trained across every aspect of food preparation.Chefs can find work anywhere from fine-dining restaurants to cafés to food trucks.A Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery is usually required to work as a chef. After a few years in the role, if you’re aiming for promotion to Executive Chef, Head Chef or Sous Chef, it’s recommended you complete further study, such as a Diploma of Hospitality Management.

Demand for Chefs is expected to keep growing at this rate over the next five years. Job opportunities for Chefs across Australia are projected to grow by20%, with annual salaries around$60k.

(according to Seek 2021 data)

NSW, VIC and QLD account for80%

(according to ABS survey data)

Most Chefs hold aDiploma or Certificate-level qualification.Unlike many other career paths,becoming a chef doesn’t require a high level of formal education. This means the study pathway to becoming a Chefdoesn’t come with hefty tuition fees, letting you study and migrate to Australia affordably.

(according to ABS survey data)

Let’s break down the employer-sponsored migration pathway for 【Chefs in Australia】, and show you how to achieveemployment straight after graduation plus migration to Australia.

Course Combination

Cert III + Cert IV + Diploma

Requirements for 482 Employer-Sponsored Migration

On the Medium-Term Stream of the Subclass 482 visa (Temporary Skill Shortage visa, or TSS visa), chefs can apply for a visa of up to four years, and after three years can transition to a permanent visa to achieve migration.

Basic Requirements for Employer-Sponsored 482:

-This visa is valid for four years

-Applicants need an employer nomination plus company sponsorship

-Visa holders must work in Australia for a full 3 years

-IELTS requirement: overall 5 (no band below 5) / PTE requirement: overall 36 (no component below 36)

Qualification and Work Experience Requirements:

!If you hold a relevant chef qualification from Australia, you may be eligible for a skills assessment exemption!We recommend considering NIET or TAFE, mentioned above, for your studies.

In addition,applicants need to provide evidence of at least 2 years’ cumulative relevant work experience within the past 5 years,and the following types of work experience can count towards this:

If you meet the 2-year work experience requirement:once you graduate, if you have a sponsoring employer, you can apply directly for the Subclass 482 employer-sponsored visa,

If you haven’t yet met the 2-year work experience requirement:after graduating, apply for the 1.5-year Subclass 485 visa and continue working until you meet the 2-year work experience requirement, then apply for the Subclass 482 employer-sponsored visa

From 482 to the 186 “green card”

-After obtaining the 4-year Subclass 482 visa and working for the same employer for 3 years, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for the Subclass 186 employer-sponsored visa (the “green card”), ultimately achieving migration! *Please note:

-The Subclass 482 itself has no age requirement for applicants,but the subsequent Subclass 186/494 “green card” requires applicants to be under 45

-In the process of transitioning to the “green card” after three years,your IELTS score must reach 6 across all four bands!