482 Visa for Chefs in Australia: Step-by-Step Eligibility & Employer Checklist

Australia’s hospitality industry continues to grow, with skilled chefs in high demand across the country. For overseas culinary professionals and Australian employers, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482 offers a viable solution for employment and migration.

This guide explains the 482 visa requirements for chefs, including applicant eligibility, employer obligations, salary benchmarks, and permanent residency pathways.

Need advice tailored to your situation? Book a free consultation with AIM Lawyers to get expert guidance.

What Is the 482 Visa?

The 482 visa enables Australian businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers to address labour shortages. The Chef occupation (ANZSCO 351311) is listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making it eligible for:

  • Up to four years of temporary residence
  • A pathway to permanent residency
  • Accompanying family members to reside in Australia

Applicant Eligibility: 482 Visa Requirements for Chef

To be eligible for a 482 visa as a chef, you must meet several Department of Home Affairs criteria.

1. Skills and Qualifications

You must:

  • Hold a relevant qualification such as a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or an equivalent international certification.
  • Have at least two years of full-time experience as a chef, obtained after qualification.
  • Demonstrate core competencies in food preparation, kitchen management, and staff supervision.

It is essential that applicants apply under the correct ANZSCO classification: Chef (351311). Applying under Cook (351411) may lead to different visa outcomes and may not offer a path to permanent residency.

2. Skills Assessment

Depending on your nationality and application location, you may be required to obtain a Skills Assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).

Skills assessments are generally required for applicants from countries including India, the Philippines, South Africa, and Vietnam, especially when applying from outside Australia.

3. English Language Requirements

You must demonstrate functional English, which includes:

  • An IELTS score of at least 5.0 in each band
  • Equivalent test scores (e.g., TOEFL, PTE Academic)
  • Exemptions apply for citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland

4. Health and Character

Applicants must satisfy:

  • Australian health requirements, typically verified through a medical examination
  • Character requirements, usually supported by police clearances from all countries where the applicant has lived for more than 12 months in the past 10 years

Employer Checklist: How to Sponsor a Chef on a 482 Visa

Businesses must follow several key steps when sponsoring a chef:

1. Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) Approval

To sponsor a chef, your business must first become an approved sponsor. The Department of Home Affairs requires evidence that:

  • Your business is lawfully operating in Australia
  • There is a genuine need for the nominated position
  • You have a satisfactory history of immigration compliance

2. Labour Market Testing (LMT)

You must prove that you have made genuine efforts to hire Australian citizens or permanent residents by:

  • Posting the role on at least two national job boards
  • Ensuring the advertisements ran for a minimum of 28 days
  • Conducting the advertising within four months of the nomination application

3. Market Salary and TSMIT Compliance

Salaries for sponsored chefs must comply with:

  • The Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for chefs, usually between $70,000–$75,000
  • The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), currently set at $70,000 as of 2025

Additionally, employers must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy:

  • Small businesses: $1,200 per year
  • Large businesses: $1,800 per year

4. Pathway to Permanent Residency

After two to three years of continuous employment under a 482 visa, employers may nominate chefs for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa, providing a pathway to permanent residency.

Read more: 482 Visa to Permanent Residency Guide

Case Study: Successful 482 Visa for a Chef

Profile:
 Chef Priya, a qualified culinary professional from India, applied for a 482 visa through a Melbourne-based restaurant.

Challenge:
 The employer had never sponsored a worker before and was unfamiliar with labour market testing and salary obligations.

Solution:
 AIM Lawyers assisted with:

  • SBS application
  • Labour market testing evidence
  • Skills assessment and visa processing

Result:
 Visa granted within six months. Chef Priya is now on track to apply for permanent residency via the 186 visa in 2026.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying under the wrong occupation code (e.g., “Cook” instead of “Chef”)
  • Offering a salary below the required market rate
  • Missing deadlines for labour market testing advertisements
  • Incomplete or inaccurate visa documentation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Can a cook apply for the 482 visa?
    Only Chefs (ANZSCO 351311) qualify under the Medium-Term stream for the 482 visa. Cooks (351411) may apply under the Short-Term stream, which does not offer a pathway to permanent residency. 
  2. Is a skills assessment mandatory for all chefs applying for a 482 visa?
     No. A skills assessment is generally required if you’re applying from outside Australia and are from specific countries. However, some applicants are exempt. Speak to an immigration lawyer for tailored advice. 
  3. What is the average processing time for a 482 visa?
     Processing typically takes 3 to 7 months, depending on the accuracy of documentation, the applicant’s nationality, and Department of Home Affairs workload. 
  4. Can an employer sponsor multiple chefs under the same SBS?
     Yes, once a business has SBS approval, it can nominate multiple workers across various roles, provided it can demonstrate a genuine need and the capacity to meet sponsorship obligations. 
  5. What happens if the chef leaves employment early?
     If the employment ends, the visa holder has 60 days to find another sponsor or depart Australia. The new employer must also be an approved sponsor and submit a fresh nomination.

Ready to Start Your 482 Visa Application?

Whether you’re a skilled chef looking to work in Australia or an employer ready to sponsor international culinary talent, AIM Lawyers can assist you with every stage of the 482 visa process.

We ensure:

  • Eligibility confirmation
  • Sponsor compliance
  • PR planning from day one

Book your free consultation now to get expert legal guidance tailored to your needs.