Permanent Residency Options for Chefs

22 Jan Permanent Residency Options for Chefs

If you are a Chef, whether you have studied in Australia or has been working overseas, these are the following possible options for you to come and stay in Australia permanently.

After completing a relevant Chef qualification (must be CRICOS approved), the Chef has various options:

• Apply for a Subclass 485 Graduate Visa (Post Study Work Stream)

After completing a 2-year study in Commercial Cookery or similar course, and after getting a positive Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), you can apply for a Temporary graduate Visa. The eligibility criteria include a valid student visa, CRICOS registered qualification that is relevant to the occupation assessed by TRA, proof of relevant paid employment of minimum 360 hours relating to the nominated occupation (Chef), and the experience must be within 3 years before submission of PSA application, an overall score of 6 in IELTS, and meet the health and character requirement.

• Apply for a Subclass 407 Training Visa

The Subclass 407 Visa is a temporary visa that a Chef can apply for to complete work-based training. It will require a sponsor/employer who can provide the training and the training must structure either to be an ‘occupational training to improve skills as a Chef’ or ‘occupational training for capacity building overseas’ which is for overseas students who wants to complete placement in Australia.

• Apply for an Employer-Sponsored Visa

For Chefs seeking to be sponsored by an employer, it is important to note that the employer must meet certain caveats which are: The position cannot be involved in mass production in a factory setting, and the position must not be in a limited-service restaurant; which includes fast food or takeaway food services, fast-casual restaurants, drinking establishments that offer only limited food service, limited service cafes including, but not limited to, coffee shops or mall cafes, and limited-service pizza restaurants.

The role of the Chef must also be well defined according to the ANZSCO. The main difference between the occupation of Cooks and Chefs is made based on the specific tasks of the nominated position and corresponding skill level, and the work environment. Essentially, Chef’s primary role is managing the kitchen, organising, and preparing of food in a restaurant environment, aside from specialised cooking roles (Chef de Partie, Commis Chef, Demi Chef, Second Chef, Sous Chef).

As defined by the ANZSCO Code, the duties of a Chef are the following:

• planning menus, estimating food and labour costs, and ordering food supplies
• monitoring quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation
• discussing food preparation issues with Managers, Dietitians and kitchen and waiting staff
• demonstrating techniques and advising on cooking procedures
• preparing and cooking food
• explaining and enforcing hygiene regulations
• may select and train staff
• may freeze and preserve foods

Other requirements for a 482 Employed Sponsored Visa for Chefs include:

• English – At least 5.0 in IELTS
• Experience – At least 2 years of work experience as a Chef
• Salary – At least $53,900 and meet the market salary rate
• Skills Assessment – For applicants who hold passports issued by Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, or Zimbabwe; and those who are not exempt applicants for the occupation. (Source)

Other requirements for a 494 Regional Employer Sponsored Visa for Chefs include:

• Age – Must be under 45 years old
• Experience – At least 3 years of work experience as a Chef
• Positive Skills Assessment
• Competent English
• Meet health and character Requirements

You can apply for permanent residency after 3 years through the 191 visa.

Subclass 186 – Employer-Sponsored (TRT)

• Be under 45 years old.
• Have 3 years of relevant work experience on the TSS visa.
• Have at least Competent English.
• Meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 186 – Direct Entry Stream

• Be under 45 years old.
• Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Have a positive skills assessment from TRA.
• Have at least Competent English.
• Meet health and character requirements.

Apply for a General Skilled Migration

Chefs with relevant skills and experience may consider applying for a skilled migration pathway under Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 Visas. These visas are point-tested, and the minimum to apply is 65 points. Points are given based on age, educational qualifications, NAATI-credentialled community language, Australian study, English, regional study, work experience and even partner.

For visas with territory/state nominations, the criteria for eligibility may differ, so it’s best to consult with a Registered Migration Agent for the latest information.

Skills Assessment for Chefs

The profession of ‘Chef’ falls under Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), which is a skills assessment agency for people with trade skills gained overseas or in Australia that require skills assessment for migration.

Depending on the level of experience and qualifications, Chefs may be eligible for the TRA Job Ready Program (JRP) or the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)

The Job Ready Program (JRP) shows you have the skills and experience needed to work as a Chef in Australia. It is previously a 4-step program that involves Provisional Skills Assessment, Job Ready Employer, Job Ready Workplace Assessment, Job Ready Final Assessment, it is, now just a 3-step program (from 1 July 2022), where TRA will accept JRP applications by selecting the JRP Program Registration and Eligibility option.

For applicants who require a skills assessment, to be eligible the Chef must:

• Have a qualification related to the nominated position as a Chef
• Have at least 3 years work experience, either full-time or part-time equivalent after the qualification was issued
• Must provide salary payment evidence to prove employment

If you are a Chef who requires more information regarding pathways to permanent residency in Australia or wanted assistance regarding visas and assessments, please get in touch with Worldly Migration’s Registered Migration Agent, Evan Bishop (MARN 1679414) and we’ll be glad to help.