Chef jobs across Australia

Cook in Australian kitchens that respect your craft.

Sponsored chef roles in restaurants, hotels and resorts across Australia. 482 visa support through our legal and migration partner, competitive pay and a real shot at permanent residency for skilled cooks.

Join the Chef Talent Pool Why Australia?
$70k-$95k
Typical chef salary
38 hrs
Standard work week
4 weeks
Paid annual leave
2 yrs
Pathway to PR
Why Australia for Chefs

Cook somewhere that values the trade.

Australia is short on skilled cooks. Restaurants, hotels and regional resorts actively sponsor overseas chefs, and pay and conditions reflect the demand. The visa side is handled by our legal and MARA-registered migration partner, so you are guided by qualified migration professionals.

Visa sponsorship

Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is on the Core Skills Occupation List. Employers can sponsor you on a 482 visa with a clear pathway to permanent residency through 186 ENS.

Strong pay

$70k-$95k base salary for qualified chefs, with overtime and penalty rates for nights, weekends and public holidays. Head chefs and executive chefs earn well above that.

Real kitchen culture

Australian kitchens take fatigue management, breaks and harassment laws seriously. Unsafe and abusive kitchens are the exception, not the norm.

Family welcome

Your spouse gets full work rights on your visa. Children attend Australian public schools. Medicare covers your family from day one of your visa.

Regional opportunity

Resorts in Margaret River, the Whitsundays, Tasmania and Far North Queensland actively sponsor chefs. Regional roles often include accommodation and faster PR pathways.

PR pathway

After 2-3 years on a 482, most sponsored chefs transition to a permanent 186 visa, then citizenship after a further 4 years of residence.

Pay & Conditions

Honest numbers, real conditions.

Australia has strict labour laws. Skilled visa workers are paid the same as Australian workers, no underpayment, no exploitation. These are typical chef salaries we see in active sponsored roles.

Typical salary range

Chef (Cert III, 2-4 years exp.)$70k-$78k
Chef de Partie (5+ years)$75k-$85k
Sous Chef$80k-$95k
Head Chef$90k-$120k
Executive Chef (hotel / large venue)$110k-$150k+

Plus superannuation (~11.5% on top), overtime rates, and night/weekend penalty rates where applicable.

What you can expect

  • 38 hour standard week with shift patterns set in advance
  • 4 weeks paid annual leave per year
  • 10 paid sick / personal days per year
  • Penalty rates for nights, weekends, public holidays and overtime
  • 11.5% superannuation paid on top of salary (retirement fund)
  • Medicare for you and your family from day one
  • Workers compensation insurance covered by employer
  • Strict workplace safety laws enforced by Fair Work Australia
The Australian Lifestyle

A life outside the kitchen.

Australian chefs work hard, but the laws on breaks, leave and rostering are actually enforced. You will have proper time off, and outside the kitchen, the country gives you something to do with it.

Sunshine year-round

Mild winters, long warm summers. Outdoor life is the default.

Beach & coast

Most cities have beaches within 30 minutes. Surfing, swimming, picnics.

Nature on your doorstep

National parks, bushwalks and wildlife close to every major town.

Great schools

Free public schools and respected universities. Strong path for kids.

Live Roles

Open chef positions right now.

Chef roles currently being recruited through Jobs Recruiter. New positions added weekly, join the talent pool to be notified of fresh openings.

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Talent Pool Sign-up

Be first to know when a role opens.

Tell us about yourself and upload your CV. The moment a chef role matches your background, we'll be in touch.

Need a qualification first?

We can help with that too.

Don't have a Cert III in Commercial Cookery, or need a TRA assessment for your visa? These are the two pathways that get most overseas chefs visa-ready.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Have years of kitchen experience but no formal qualification? RPL turns your work history into a Cert III in Commercial Cookery, with no need to go back to study.

Learn about RPL

TRA Skill Assessment

Already qualified? You'll need a TRA skill assessment for your 482 visa. Our partner coordinates the assessment process and we'll prep you for the technical interview.

Learn about TRA
Common Questions

Cooking in Australia, answered.

What qualifications do I need to work as a chef in Australia?
For 482 visa sponsorship, you'll need a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (or recognised overseas equivalent) plus 3+ years of relevant work experience. If you don't have a formal qualification, our RPL service can convert your work history into a recognised Cert III. The final step before visa is a TRA skill assessment, coordinated by our legal and migration partner.
How much does a chef earn in Australia?
Qualified chefs typically earn $70,000 to $95,000 per year, depending on experience, role and venue type. Sous chefs sit around $80k-$95k, head chefs $90k-$120k, and executive chefs in hotels or large venues $110k-$150k+. On top of that, you receive 11.5% superannuation, penalty rates for nights and weekends, and 4 weeks paid annual leave.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included on your 482 visa application. Your partner gets full work rights, and your children can attend Australian public schools. Medicare healthcare covers the whole family.
Do I need to speak fluent English?
Functional English is required for the 482 visa, typically IELTS 5.0 average (or equivalent in PTE, OET, TOEFL). Most successful chef candidates have working professional English. The bar is higher for permanent residency. Our legal and migration partner will guide you on which test to take and the score you need.
How long does it take from application to arriving in Australia?
Typically 4 to 8 months. The interview and offer stage can be 2 to 4 weeks. Skill assessment and visa processing then take a further 3 to 6 months depending on the stream and current Department of Home Affairs queues. The visa side is handled by our legal and MARA-registered migration partner.
Who actually handles my visa?
All visa applications, legal advice and lodgements are handled by our partner, a registered Australian lawyer and MARA-registered migration agent. Under Australian law, only MARA-registered agents or legal practitioners can provide immigration assistance for a fee. We handle the recruitment match; they handle the law and the visa.
Will I have to pay any fees?
No recruitment fee. We don't charge candidates. Our fees are paid by the sponsoring employer. You'll be responsible for your own visa application fee, medical exam, police clearances and English test, and our migration partner's professional fees may apply for the legal/visa work. All costs are made clear upfront. If anyone asks for an upfront placement fee, walk away, that's not how legitimate Australian recruiters operate.
What if no chef roles are open right now?
Join the talent pool by submitting the form on this page. We'll keep your details on file and contact you the moment a chef role opens that matches your experience. No spam, only real opportunities.

Ready to start your Australian cooking career?

Join the talent pool now, and we'll be in touch the moment something opens that fits.

Join the Chef Talent Pool