Chef Pathway To PR Guide

Just finished your Commercial Cookery (Cook/Chef) course in Australia? Congratulations! Chef is one of the occupations that is in the medium and long term list for Permanent Residency in Australia. Let’s see what are your possible pathways towards Australian Permanent Residency as a Chef!

Is Cookery Still on the PR List in 2025?

YES! Chefs are both under the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

This means chefs are eligible for:

General Skilled Migration visas: Subclass 189, 190, 491

Employer Sponsored visas: Subclass 482, 186, 494, 407

This ongoing demand makes cookery a secure and rewarding course choice for international students seeking PR in Australia.

Chef PR Pathways After Completing a Chef Diploma

To be eligible for migration and post-study work options, the first thing you will need to do is to ensure that you are enrolled in a Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registered course using the link: https://cricos.education.gov.au/Course/CourseSearch.aspx 

You can either search your course name with the institution's name or type in the CRICOS Course Code/VET National Code directly for confirmation.

A CRICOS-approved course not only ensures quality education but also makes your study count towards future visa applications.

After completing your course, which includes a Certificate III, IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma, the possible actions you could take are:

• Apply for a subclass 485 Graduate visa:Post-Vocational Education Work Stream and complete you Job Ready Program
• Apply for General Skilled Migration (Subclass 189/190/491) 
• Apply for Employer sponsored visa(Subclass 407/482/186/494)

One of the most common pathways is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485 – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream). To be eligible for this visa stream:

• You must be 35 years of age or under when you apply;Or be under 50 years of age when you apply if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.    
• You must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when you apply for this visa.
• You are holding or have held an eligible Student visa within the past 6 months.
• You meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement-2 academic years
• If not exempted, you must meet the English requirement of PTE Academic Overall score of at least 55 with a minimum score of 40 for listening; 42 for reading; 39 for speaking and 41 for writing (test taken on or after 7 August 2025, )
• Or at least 57 with a minimum score of:43 for listening; 48 for reading; 42 for speaking and 51 for writing (test taken on or before 6 August 2025.)
• You hold a positive provisional skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia(TRA). If you do not have a skills assessment, you must provide evidence that you have applied for one.
• You meet the health and character requirements.

This visa allows you to gain Australian work experience and prepare for PR pathways.     

Employer Sponsored Visa Routes

Subclass407, subclass 494, subclass 482 and subclass186 are the most common Employer Sponsored Visa Pathways. 

Subclass 407 visa allows you to stay up to 2 years. To be eligible for a 407 visa:

• You must have a sponsor who is approved as a temporary activities sponsor and you are nominated as a chef to participate in a Workplace-based structured training program
• You must have employment experience or study experience that:

is equivalent of at least 12 months full-time experience in the occupation has occurred in the 24 months immediately before the nomination is lodged

• If not exempted, you must meet the English requirement of PTE Academic an overall band score of at least 24(test taken on or after 7 August 2025) ;or a total band score of at least 30(test taken on or before 6 August 2025)

• You meet the health and character requirements.

Subclass 482 visa allows you to stay a maximum of 4 years (Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years), to be eligible for this visa:

• You must be nominated by an approved sponsor
• You have gained at least 12 months relevant full-time work experience, or equivalent, within the last 5 years.
• You must be nominated in your role with a salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold(AUD141,210 as of 1 July 2025), or Core Skills Income Threshold(AUD76,515 as of 1 July 2025), depending on your stream.
• If not exempted(depending on your passport/experience/qualification), you must hold a positive Temporary Skills Shortage Skills Assessment from Trades Recognition Australia(TRA)
• If not exempted, you must meet the required English requirement depending on your stream.

Both chef and cook occupations are subject to caveats 3&4 in Migration (Specification of Occupations—Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024, meaning:

Positions in factory settings or limited-service restaurants are not eligible.

To check if you are exempt from English or skills assessment, or general eligibility, book a call with our registered migration agent for tailored advice.

Skilled Migration Options

General Skilled Migration Visas like 189, 190 and 491 are offering permanent residency pathways for occupations that are in demand. 

These visas operate under a point based system, with a minimum pass mark of 65 points, the higher the score, the higher chance of getting invited. 

Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent: you can submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) if you have a pass mark of 65 points or above.

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated: invited by state/territory, eligibility will depend on the state/ territory’s specific requirement.

Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional:invited by state/territory, eligibility will depend on the state/ territory’s specific requirementStudy/live/work regionally for 3 years, then eligible to apply for PR (Subclass 191), 

How the points are being calculated are based on the following aspects:

1. Age (max 30 points)
2. English proficiency (up to 20 points for Superior English)
3. Work experience (Australia & overseas)
4. Education (max 20 points)
5. Partner skills, NAATI-CCL, regional study (extra 5–10 points each)

Job Ready Program & Skills Assessment

What is a Job Ready Program (JRP)?

@nexorgroup

Replying to @n33ma51 What is a Job Ready Final Assessment and why do you need it as a chef? Job Ready Final Assessment is part of the Job Ready Program where the participant completes a minimum of 12 months of full-time paid employment (or equivalent part-time employment) within TRA approved employment. Job Ready Final Assessment skills assessment can be used to submit expression of interest for GSM visas like 189, 190 or 491 as well as can be used towards employer sponsored visas like 482, 186 or 494. The Job Ready Program is a good pathway to obtain a positive skills assessment for fresh graduates or applicants with less work experience. However, Job Ready Program is not mandatory and if you have at least 3 years of Full Time work experience or part time equivalent work experience, you can also apply for Skills Assessment through the OSAP pathway.

♬ original sound - NexorAustralia Migration agent

The Job Ready Program is one of the pathways to obtain a positive skills assessment for fresh graduates or applicants with less work experience. It is an employment-based skills assessment program. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the  skills assessment body for chefs.

Job Ready Program is not mandatory if you have at least 3 years of Full Time work experience or part time equivalent work experience as you can apply for Skills Assessment through the OSAP pathway.

What’s the process for a Job Ready Program (JRP)?

There are 4 steps:

1. Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) - first step, required for SC 485 visa.
2. Job Ready Employment (JRE) - Complete at least twelve (12)-months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid employment with TRA approved employer/s. The 12-month period commences from your JRE Start Date.
3. Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA) – workplace technical interview/test by an approved TRA assessor.
4. Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA) – positive outcome used for PR visa applications (189, 190, 491) or employer-sponsored visas (482, 186, 494).

Step 1: Provisional Skills Assessment(PSA)

A successful PSA is essential for getting your Temporary Graduate visa (SC 485) and also a pre-requisite for the JRP.

If you complete an Australian qualification directly relevant to the occupation of chef, it’s usually recommended to start your Provisional Skills Assessment(PSA) as the first step. 

Step by step:

• Register through TRA online portal
• Submit all the documents required, including a current and valid passport; an Australian qualification directly relevant to the occupation you are applying for.

Step 2:Job Ready Employment(JRE)

Job Ready Employments take a minimum of 6 months full-time or equivalent from the start date, the TRA will confirm your eligibility for the JRP during this step.

Step by step:

Applicants must be employed and be able to provide the Key Application Documents below:

• have a successful PSA (or JRPRE) for your nominated occupation
• have a current passport
• submit your JRE application within your PSA (or JRPRE) valid period*
• nominate an occupation on the skilled occupation list where TRA is the relevant skills assessing authority
• be employed and your employment arrangement must:
• provide sufficient opportunities for you to develop the required skills 
• be verifiable by TRA

Step 3: Job Ready Workplace Assessment(JRWA)

This step is to assess whether you are operating at the required skill level in your workplace.

Step by Step:

• your employment arrangements have been verified by TRA
• an Employment Confirmation Form has been provided on or after six months full-time equivalent employment from your JRE Start Date
• acceptable SPRs, EVRs and any other relevant information has been provided.
• TRA will advise you by email when you are considered eligible to apply for a JRWA.

Step 4: Job Ready Final Assessment(JRFA)

Congratulations! You reach the final step - Job Ready Final Assessment. 

Job Ready Final Assessment skills assessment can be used to submit expressions of interest for GSM visas like 189, 190 or 491 as well as can be used towards employer sponsored visas like 482, 186 or 494. 

Step by step:

• You must have achieved a successful (Job Ready) JRWA outcome and;
• Completed an Employment Confirmation Form (ECF) that shows a minimum of 12 months of full-time paid employment (or equivalent part-time employment) with a TRA approved employer/s within three years from your JRE Start Date;
• Submit and upload one payslip or other acceptable pay evidence that covers your 12 month JRFA eligibility date

Within 45 days of receipt of your eligible JRFA application, you will receive a letter by email confirming you have completed all steps of the Job Ready Program and have attained a successful skills assessment in your nominated occupation.

You must complete the entire program within no more than three years from your JRE Start Date. Your completion date will be your JRFA application date. If you do not complete the program within 3 years, your application will be finalised with an unsuccessful outcome.

Tips to Boost PR Eligibility For Chefs

• Choose a CRICOS-approved course and consider regional study for extra points.
• Stay updated on state nomination programs & DAMAs. You are more than welcome to join our email newsletter list or follow our social media accounts(Tik Tok/Instagram/FaceBook) for the latest migration updates.
• Improve your English proficiency.
• Work on NAATI-CCL test for an extra 5 points;
• Gain more experience in your industry or complete the Job Ready Program.