Need to hire a chef across Northern Territory? SponsorTalent lists overseas-trained chefs who are seeking an Australian sponsor employer. Browse profiles for free, connect with candidates directly, and avoid recruitment agency fees. You get a committed, skilled worker for 2 to 4 years through a 482 Skills in Demand visa, with a clear pathway to permanent residency.
Need a registered migration agent to lodge the sponsorship? Free assessment →
What this page draws on: 38 sponsor profiles in hospitality (38 on the Department of Home Affairs approved-sponsor list, April 2026 snapshot) · 8 chef candidate profiles seeking sponsorship · no live chef job ads today (9 live sponsored jobs site-wide). Directory of 6,545 Australian employers, searchable by industry, location and visa pathway · last updated .
New: How to get sponsored as a chef — visa, list status, salary threshold, skills assessment, and the steps for offshore and onshore candidates.
12 profiles currently seeking employer sponsorship, with Northern Territory preferences listed first. Profiles are anonymous by design — names and contact details are never published. Unlock a candidate for $30 incl. GST to see who they are and contact them directly.
Browse all 8 chefs in the directory →
This page covers roles commonly known as Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Commis Chef, Chef de Partie, Executive Chef — all of which fall under ANZSCO 351311 or closely related codes for visa sponsorship purposes.
One of the most persistent shortage occupations in regional Australia, particularly in tourism hubs. That sustained shortage is the driver behind employer-sponsored visas remaining a practical hiring tool for this role.
Typical employer types sponsoring chefs across Northern Territory: restaurants, hotels, cafes, catering companies, aged care facilities, hospitals, regional clubs.
Northern Territory (NT) is one of Australia's most active sponsorship jurisdictions. Employers based in NT can sponsor chefs through the standard 482 Skills in Demand visa, the 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (for regional postcodes within the state), and any active DAMA agreements covering specific regional areas. The state's economy across hospitality, healthcare, construction, mining (where applicable), and agriculture drives consistent demand for skilled overseas workers.
The typical market salary for chefs across Northern Territory is around A$62,000 to A$95,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and the specific employer. The 482 SID visa requires the nominated salary to meet either the Core Skills Income Threshold or the relevant market salary — whichever is higher. These figures are indicative ranges based on industry reporting; always verify the current visa salary threshold and market rate before nominating.
What's NOT a cost: SponsorTalent is not a recruitment agency. There are no placement fees, no percentage of salary, no ongoing licensing fees — just the one-time A$30 incl. GST unlock per candidate.
Registration is completely free for employers, candidates, and migration agents. SponsorTalent is funded by a $30 unlock fee that either side pays once when they want to contact a match.
Yes. Visa sponsorship applications must be handled by a registered migration agent (MARN holder) or an Australian legal practitioner. SponsorTalent introduces you to qualified agents who can manage the lodgement end-to-end.
From sponsorship application to visa grant, the typical timeline is 2 to 6 months — depending on the visa subclass, the employer's standard business sponsorship status, the candidate's skills assessment, and current Department of Home Affairs processing times. The 494 (Regional) and DAMA pathways may take longer due to additional regional certifying body requirements.
The 482 Skills in Demand visa requires the role to meet either the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) or relevant market salary, whichever is higher. For chefs the market rate ranges roughly A$62,000 to A$95,000 annually depending on experience and location. Regional and DAMA roles may have concessional salary thresholds. Always verify the current threshold with a registered migration agent.
For Chef (ANZSCO 351311), the relevant assessing authority is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). The skills assessment is a separate process from the visa application and should be initiated by the candidate as early as possible — assessments can take 6 to 16 weeks depending on the authority.
For Chef on a 482 SID visa: IELTS 5.0 overall (Functional / Vocational) for 482 SID, IELTS 5.0 each band for 186 ENS. Different visa subclasses (186 ENS, 494 Regional) and different occupations (especially regulated health professions) carry different English requirements — always confirm with a registered migration agent before booking tests.
Three steps: find your candidate (browse the profiles on this page and unlock the ones that fit), make sure the business can sponsor — as a Standard Business Sponsor, or under a labour agreement or DAMA — then have a registered migration agent lodge the nomination and visa. Register free as an employer to contact candidates and post roles.
Often, yes — labour agreements and regional DAMAs exist precisely for roles the standard lists and settings do not cover, with concessions on occupation, age, English and salary that vary by agreement. See our labour agreements guide and the DAMA guide for how each route works.
List your position. Browse candidates. Connect directly. Free for employers.
List Your Position — FreeFinding the candidate is one step — the nomination and visa must be lodged by a registered migration agent (MARN holder). Get a free, no-obligation assessment from WIDEN — Migration Experts (MARN 1576536).