Chef
Food Trades
Chef is listed on Australia's Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Skilled migration to Australia for Chefs involves visa pathways, skills assessment requirements, and key eligibility requirements under the CSOL.
Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
ANZSCO Code
351311
Skills Assessment Body
Typical Qualification
AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
Visa pathways for Chef
- Occupation code
- ANZSCO 351311
- Occupation lists
- CSOL, MLTSSL (LIN 19/051), MLTSSL for the 494 (LIN 19/219)
- Assessing authority
- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) · assessment fee $130 to $5,320 AUD by program and pathway, checked October 2026
- Typical qualification
- AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
- Caveats on the Department's list
- 4 for Chef, set out below.
Subclass 482
Skills in Demand, Core Skills stream
Employer nomination of Chef under ANZSCO 2022 code 351311, with at least 1 year of relevant work experience.
Subclass 186
Employer Nomination Scheme
Direct Entry on the CSOL with a skills assessment from TRA, or Temporary Residence Transition after 2 years on a 482 with the sponsoring employer as Chef; the TRT stream has no occupation list.
Subclass 494
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
Chef is on the 494 lists in LIN 19/219 (MLTSSL item 210, "chef", ANZSCO 351311); a regional employer nominates, and the Subclass 191 permanent visa follows after 3 years without an occupation list of its own.
Subclass 189
Skilled Independent
Chef is on the MLTSSL (LIN 19/051, MLTSSL item 206, ANZSCO 351311), so a points-tested invitation with no nominator is open.
Subclass 190
Skilled Nominated
Chef is on the MLTSSL (LIN 19/051, MLTSSL item 206), so a state or territory can nominate it; each state's own list decides whether it does.
Subclass 491
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
State or territory nomination for Chef on the MLTSSL (LIN 19/051, MLTSSL item 206), or family sponsorship in a regional area.
How each visa works: 482, 186, 494, 189, 190, 491, DAMA and skills assessment. Costs: employer sponsorship cost and visa cost estimator. Lists: Department of Home Affairs.
Caveats for Chef
- Low skilled tasks (482, 186): Excludes any position involved in mass production in a factory setting
- Low skilled tasks (482, 186): Excludes any position in a limited service restaurant. A limited service restaurant includes, but is not limited to: a fast food or takeaway food service a fast casual restaurant a drinking establishment that offers only a limited food service a limited service cafe, including a coffee shop or mall cafe a limited service pizza restaurant.
- CSOL caveat (482, 186): The position is involved in mass production in a factory setting.
- CSOL caveat (482, 186): The position is in a limited service restaurant.
Related occupations in the same group
Reviewed by Visa Plan Lawyers · Last updated: April 2026 · Occupation data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) and the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), and the Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List, given legal effect through the Subclass 482 instrument (F2024L01620) and the Subclass 186 instrument (F2024L01618). Occupation list status (MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL) from LIN 19/051 (F2026C00265, in force from 28 March 2026) and LIN 19/219 (F2025C00059, in force from 14 December 2024); assessing authorities and caveats as published by the Department of Home Affairs on 2026-09-25. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Visa Plan for advice specific to your situation.