From Kitchen to Residency: Migration Opportunities for Cooks and Chefs in Australia 2025
Australia's hospitality sector is experiencing significant growth, with skilled cooks and chefs playing a pivotal role. By 2025, the country is expected to face a substantial shortage of culinary professionals, presenting excellent prospects for migrants seeking stable careers and permanent residency.
If you are currently in Australia on a temporary visa or contemplating a relocation from abroad, now is the ideal time to investigate your opportunities.
Why Is There a Growing Demand for Chefs and Cooks?
The anticipated shortage of chefs and cooks in Australia by 2025 can be attributed to a combination of factors:
The hospitality and tourism sectors are expanding rapidly – An increasing number of restaurants, cafés, hotels, and catering services are emerging throughout Australia. However, employers are facing challenges in finding qualified professionals to meet this rising demand, a situation that is evident in both urban centers and rural regions.
The food and dining industry has experienced a boom post-pandemic – Australians are dining out more frequently, and the popularity of food delivery services has surged. This trend has led to a rise in job opportunities within the sector, yet there remains a significant gap in the availability of skilled workers to fill these roles.
Chefs and cooks are recognized as a priority on Australia’s skills lists – Their placement on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the National Skills Priority List (ANZSCO) indicates that the government acknowledges this shortage and is facilitating the visa application process for skilled migrants in this field.
Available Migration Pathways
If you are a qualified cook or chef, the migration visa options have changed recently. Here are the main pathways now in effect and what’s different:
Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (replacing the old Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa)
This new visa started from 7 December 2024, and is now the main route for skilled workers being sponsored by employers when their occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or under other streams. The SID visa has three streams:Core Skills Stream, for occupations listed under CSOL, with a lower salary threshold (as of 1 July 2025, AUD 76,515) for many roles.
Specialist Skills Stream, for higher-paid, high-expertise roles meeting a higher salary threshold (as of 1 July 2025, about AUD 141,210) that may allow more flexibility in occupation.
Labour Agreements Stream, which allows employers with specific agreements to nominate overseas workers even if their roles are not on the CSOL.
Permanent Residence Visas via Employer Sponsorship or State Nomination
Traditional permanent routes like Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) remain in place, and may be used by chefs/cooks especially if nominated by an employer or a state/territory. Requirements often include a skills assessment, relevant work experience, and meeting the new income thresholds.
Some State/Territory nomination programs and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) provide advantages for chefs in regional areas (sometimes reduced wait times, flexibility, or lower requirements). For example, South Australia’s DAMAs have been extended with concessions.
Updated Salary / Income Thresholds & Other Requirements
From 1 July 2025, the minimum salary required under the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) was increased to AUD 76,515.
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) is now about AUD 141,210 for high-level roles.
Work experience requirements under SID visas for many occupations have been lowered—for example, one year full-time (or equivalent) within the last five years in certain cases.
Important Caveats for Chefs / Cooks
There were concerns around “caveats” like Caveat 14 which initially appeared to restrict sponsorship for chefs to those from countries with certain Free Trade Agreements. However, this was clarified and removed for Chef occupation by mid-December 2024.
Also, not all chef or cook roles may qualify. For example, positions in “limited service” restaurants or factory settings could be excluded under certain visa terms. It is essential to check how the employer defines the position’s tasks and whether they meet the relevant stream’s occupation description.
To be eligible for these visas, applicants typically must fulfill the following criteria:
A skills assessment that demonstrates your training and experience align with Australian standards.
Proficiency in the English language that satisfies the minimum requirements for the visa.
Relevant qualifications and work experience, including certificates or apprenticeships in commercial cooking.
Compliance with age restrictions, which generally stipulate that applicants should be under 45 years old at the time of application.
Here's a breakdown of the advantages for chefs and cooks considering a move to Australia, presented in a more conversational style:
Why is Australia a Great Choice for Culinary Professionals? Moving to Australia as a chef or cook opens doors to both professional success and a fulfilling personal life:
Financial Stability
You can expect a good income, with the average salary sitting around AUD $67,000 per year. Experienced chefs and those with specialized skills can earn even more, allowing you to establish a solid financial foundation.Career Advancement
The demand for skilled chefs and cooks is high in Australia. This means you'll find plenty of opportunities to move up the ranks, whether you dream of becoming a head chef, managing a kitchen, or eventually running your own restaurant.Visa Advantages
Many Australian states and territories are actively seeking chefs and cooks. This can significantly boost your chances of getting your visa approved and can speed up your path to permanent residency.Long-Term Security
Unlike some professions, chefs and cooks have several visa options that can lead to permanent residency. This provides you and your family with long-term stability and peace of mind.A Better Lifestyle
Australia offers more than just a job. You'll find safe communities, excellent healthcare, a good work-life balance, and family-friendly policies, making it an ideal place to build a new life.
Why This Moment is Ideal For Cooks and Chefs
The demand for cooks and chefs is not merely a temporary concern; it represents a long-term challenge that Australia is tackling through migration strategies. Taking action now offers distinct advantages:
Sustained Demand
Both government officials and industry specialists agree that the need for skilled chefs and cooks will continue to grow in the coming years, making this a reliable career path.Growth in Tourism and Dining
As international tourists return and Australians increasingly opt to eat out, the hospitality industry is experiencing steady growth, leading to more job opportunities for skilled professionals.Early Applications Enhance Your Chances
Skilled migration programs are subject to quotas, so submitting your application sooner increases your likelihood of success before the annual limits are reached.Easier Routes to Permanent Residency
Cooks and chefs are currently prioritized on Australia’s skilled occupation lists, giving you a better opportunity to secure permanent residency compared to other professions that are not facing shortages.
Are you prepared to embark on your migration journey?
At Think Visa, we support skilled professionals—particularly tradespeople, cooks, and chefs—throughout the entire migration process, from skills assessment to achieving permanent residency.
📩 Schedule your consultation today to begin crafting your secure future in Australia.
🎉 Join us for our upcoming Skilled Migration Webinar on October 7th! This exclusive online event will delve into migration opportunities specifically for tradespeople, cooks, and chefs. Gain insights directly from our experts on the latest visa options, necessary skills, and strategies for success.
Register now to reserve your place and receive valuable guidance that could significantly enhance your application.
