IMMIGRATION STATEGIST | VISA SPONSORSHIP EXPERTS

Fill Kitchen Vacancies with Skilled Global Chefs for 2026

Stop struggling with local shortages. We help you get qualified chefs and cooks and fill critical kitchen gaps in as little as 4–8 weeks.

Local talent alone isn't enough. We guide hospitality employers through visa sponsorship strategies to access skilled global kitchen professionals and build a sustainable, compliant workforce.

⚠️ TSMIT is expected to rise to A$79,499 from 1 July 2026. Sponsor now to lock in the current threshold and save thousands.

Free Visa Strategy Consultation

Get Your Free Visa Strategy Consultation

Discover how visa sponsorship can solve your workforce shortage. Our immigration experts will assess your situation and recommend the best pathway forward.

We respect your privacy. Your information is secure and will only be used to contact you about your visa sponsorship needs.

Your Free Consultation Includes

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility Assessment
Determine which visa type suit your hospitality business
Cost & Timeline Projection
Clear breakdown of sponsorship cost and processing times
Compliance Roadmap
Understand your obligations as a sponsor
Expert Immigration Advice
One-on-one consultation with hospitality immigration specialists

Trusted By

100+ Australian Employers

Join leading businesses across Australia who have solved workforce shortages through strategic visa sponsorship.

THE REALITY CHECK

10,000+

Chef & Cook Vacancies

Australia faces a critical shortage of chefs and cooks, with hospitality consistently on the national skills shortage list.

30–40%

Annual Turnover

High turnover rates in hospitality drain resources. Visa-sponsored workers often demonstrate significantly higher retention.

Regional Crisis

Hardest Hit Areas

Regional Australia is disproportionately affected, with many restaurants forced to reduce hours or close due to staffing.

Australia's Hospitality Workforce Shortage Is Costing You Money

Why Visa Sponsorship Solves This

Access Global Talent

Tap into qualified chefs and cooks from around the world with proven commercial kitchen experience.

Higher Retention

Visa-sponsored workers are more committed, reducing costly turnover and training expenses.

Compliance & Certainty

Navigate complex visa requirements with expert guidance, avoiding costly compliance mistakes.

Our Visa Sponsorship Solutions

Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

The SID visa (formerly TSS) allows hospitality employers to sponsor qualified chefs and cooks for up to 4 years. Fast processing and ideal for immediate kitchen staffing needs.

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

The 186 visa provides a direct pathway to permanent residency for skilled kitchen professionals. Ideal for building long-term workforce stability in your restaurant.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494)

The 494 visa is perfect for regional hospitality providers. Workers can live and work in designated regional areas for up to 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency.

⚠️ Important: The TSMIT is expected to increase to A$79,499 on 1 July 2026. Ensure your salary offers meet this threshold to avoid nomination delays.

We specialize in navigating visa pathways specifically designed for hospitality and skilled kitchen roles

Visa Type	Duration	Processing Time	Best For
SID (482)	Up to 4 years	4–8 weeks	Immediate kitchen staffing
ENS (186)	Permanent	6–12 months	Long-term retention
SESR (494)	Up to 5 years	Variable	Regional restaurants & hotels

⚠️ Critical Update for Employers

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is expected
to increase to A$79,499 on 1 July 2026.

Nominating your staff before 30 June 2026 could save your business thousands in mandatory
salary overheads. Don’t wait — act now to lock in the current threshold.

Beat the Deadline — Book a Consultation

Your Pathway to a Fully Staffed Kitchen

1

Assess Your Eligibility

We evaluate your business, roles, and visa requirements

Not all hospitality roles qualify for sponsorship. We conduct a thorough assessment to determine which positions are eligible and which visa type suits your needs best.

2

Develop Your Sponsorship Strategy

Tailored visa pathway and compliance roadmap

We create a customized strategy that aligns visa sponsorship with your workforce timeline and budget. This includes compliance obligations and ongoing support requirements.

3

Candidate Identification & Vetting

We help source and verify qualified candidates

While our primary expertise is immigration, we support your talent search by helping identify and vet candidates who meet visa requirements and industry standards.

4

Visa Application & Compliance

We handle all immigration paperwork and obligations

From nomination to visa grant, we manage the entire immigration process. We also ensure you remain compliant with ongoing reporting and sponsorship obligations.

Get Your Free Consultation Today

Compliance & Obligations for Employers

Salary & Conditions Compliance

You must pay visa-sponsored workers at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR). We help you determine the correct salary and ensure compliance.

AMSR calculation and verification
Award rates and conditions
Payroll and record-keeping

Sponsorship Obligations

As a sponsor, you must meet ongoing obligations including reporting, training, and support. Failure to comply can result in visa cancellation and penalties.

Annual compliance reporting
Training and development requirements
Worker support and dispute resolution

Key Compliance Points for Hospitality Employers (2026)

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Meet the New TSMIT ($79,499 from 1 July 2026) — All sponsored workers must earn at least this Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold. Act before the increase takes effect.

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Maintain Approved Sponsor Status — Remain compliant with Department of Home Affairs requirements.

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Annual Compliance Reporting — Submit annual reports to demonstrate ongoing sponsorship compliance.

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Notify Changes Immediately — Report any changes to employment, business, or worker circumstances to Home Affairs.

Visa sponsorship comes with responsibilities. We ensure you stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.

Secure Your Compliance Strategy

⚖️ OUR AUTHORITY

Trusted Guidance in a Changing Migration Landscape

Australia's migration policies are evolving — fast.

✓
Monitoring policy updates and threshold changes in real time
✓
Structuring applications to meet current Department expectations
✓
Advising based on real case outcomes — not theory

Secure Your Strategy Review Today

CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES

Trusted by Businesses Across Australia

★★★★★

"Working with Think Visa was the best decision I've ever made! Applying for visas has always been a dreadful process, but Think Visa made it so easy and hassle-free. Highly recommended."

Nicholas Tan

★★★★★

"An excellent agency with very quick responses and help. I found talking to them through WhatsApp was a great addition to making the process and communication easier. Highly recommend for help with all visas."

Shane Murphy

★★★★★

"I found them to be very professional and understanding. The team is very thorough with the paperwork required and communicate well at all times. Highly recommended. VISA Granted!"

Con Andoniou

FAQs

Common Questions, Clear Answers

Cost include the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, visa application charges, and our fixed professional fees. However, conside the cost of an empty kitchen role. Lost revenue, overtime pay for existing staff, and reduced covers often far exceed the sponsorship investment. We provide a full cost breakdown upfront so you can calculate your ROI with certainty.

The SID (482) is a temporary visa (up to 4 years) with fast processing. The 186 is permanent residency from day one but takes longer (6–12 months). The 494 is ideal for regional hospitality providers (up to 5 years, with PR eligibility after 3 years). We help you choose the right visa for your situation.

From 1 July 2026, the minimum salary threshold is $79,499 per year for all employer-sponsored visas (SID 482, ENS 186, and SESR 494). This is the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). We ensure your salary offers meet or exceed this requirement.

SID (482) visas typically process in 4–8 weeks. ENS (186) visas take 6–12 months depending on complexity. SESR (494) visas vary. We prioritize efficiency and keep you updated throughout the process.

Yes. Many qualified chefs and cooks are already in Australia on temporary visas (student, bridging, WHM, etc.). Sponsoring onshore candidates is often faster and they can begin working immediately once the visa is granted. This is a very common pathway for hospitality employers.

Absolutely. Chef and cook nominations often require a skills assessment through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). We coordinate the TRA process alongside the visa application so both run in parallel, saving you time.

Yes. We advise on permanent residency pathways (subclass 186 and 191) so your sponsored chefs have a clear future in Australia. Businesses that offer a PR pathway see significantly higher retention rates, protecting your investment.

Most lawfully operating Australian businesses are eligible. You'll need to demonstrate that your business is actively operating, there is a genuine need for the position, and you can meet sponsorship obligations. We conduct a free eligibility check before you commit.

Migration consultation professional meeting

Don't Wait Until the TSMIT Increase Hits

With the TSMIT expected to rise to A$79,499 on 1 July 2026, sponsoring now means locking in current salary thresholds and saving your business thousands.

Take the first step toward a future-proof kitchen workforce. Book your consultation today.

Book Your Consultation

Australia's trusted immigration experts helping skilled professionals and businesses navigate the visa process since 2009.

MARA Registered

CONTACT US

support@thinkvisa.com.au
+61 3 9078 6819

OFFICE HOURS

Mondays - Fridays
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

ABN 82 345 010 670 | ACN 603511959