Australia's hospitality industry relies heavily on skilled overseas workers. Sponsoring chefs, cooks, and managers is a well-established visa pathway.
The Australian hospitality industry has experienced severe labour shortages, particularly since the pandemic. Restaurants, hotels, cafes, and catering businesses across the country are struggling to find and retain skilled workers. High turnover, unsociable hours, and competition from other sectors make it difficult to fill roles from the domestic labour market alone.
Employer sponsorship provides a reliable pathway for hospitality businesses to bring in experienced chefs, cooks, and managers from overseas, helping to maintain service quality and business viability.
| Occupation | ANZSCO Code | Assessing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Chef | 351311 | TRA |
| Cook | 351411 | TRA |
| Pastry Cook | 351112 | TRA |
| Hotel or Motel Manager | 141311 | VETASSESS |
| Cafe or Restaurant Manager | 141111 | VETASSESS |
| Baker | 351111 | TRA |
The distinction between Chef (351311) and Cook (351411) matters significantly for visa purposes. Chefs are on the Medium-term list with a PR pathway, while Cooks are on the Short-term list with limited visa duration. The ANZSCO definitions determine which code applies based on the level of skill and responsibility involved.
Chef is one of the most commonly sponsored occupations in Australia. The Medium-term stream provides up to four years and a pathway to permanent residency through the 186 TRT stream after three years of employment with the sponsoring employer.
Cook is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List, which means the visa is granted for up to two years with the possibility of one onshore renewal. There is no direct pathway to permanent residency through the TRT stream, but workers may be eligible for other visa pathways.
Hospitality businesses in regional areas can sponsor workers on the 494 visa, which provides up to five years and a pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa. This is particularly useful for regional restaurants, resorts, and hotels.
Hospitality workers must be offered at least the TSMIT of $73,150 per year. This can be a challenge for some hospitality businesses, as the TSMIT has increased significantly in recent years. The salary must be for the base rate excluding overtime, tips, and non-monetary benefits.
The salary offered must be the guaranteed annual earnings, not dependent on overtime or penalty rates. The Department closely scrutinises hospitality nominations to ensure salary compliance. Non-compliance can result in nomination refusal and future sponsorship restrictions.
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the assessing authority for chefs, cooks, bakers, and pastry cooks. The TRA assessment process for overseas workers typically involves:
TRA assessments can take two to four months to process. The offshore skills assessment pathway is used for workers applying from outside Australia, while the Job Ready Program applies to graduates of Australian trade courses.
Our registered migration agent understands the unique challenges of hospitality sponsorship. Contact us for expert guidance on the best visa pathway for your business.
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