How to Become a Chef in Australia
Wish to pursue a career as a Chef in Australia? Check out the steps you need to take to pursue a successful career in hospitality and also obtain PR in Australia.
Plan Your Next Steps to Become a Chef in Australia
Australia is a country with a rich food culture. Owing to its multi-ethnic population, the country is truly a food paradise. Hence, pursuing a career in cookery and hospitality is a wise choice. This booming industry not only has plenty of jobs to offer but also opens up entrepreneurship opportunities for international talent. The Australian government identifies Accommodation and Food Services as a high-demand sector, with continuous growth projected for chefs and cooks throughout 2026 and beyond. If you are passionate about food and hospitality, there cannot be a better destination than to study in Australia for you to start your career.
Plan Your Next Steps to Become a Chef in Australia
Why Study Cookery in Australia?
Australia is one of the most popular destinations for students worldwide who want to become chefs, and for good reason. If you are planning to become a chef, then here are some reasons to study in Australia:
- World-class courses: Australia offers a variety of courses related to cookery and hospitality. Certificate courses, Diplomas, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees. Based on your interest and current qualification, you can pick a course and specialise in your favourite area. These courses offer complete hands-on training and are globally recognised. So, you graduate as a well-trained professional.
- Employment opportunities: While you study, you can work up to 40 hours a fortnight. As an aspiring cookery professional, you can find employment in restaurants, clubs, pubs, hotels, resorts, cafes, cafeterias, coffee shops, schools, hospitals, airline catering or shipping line cruises, etc.
- Recognition of your previous qualification: If you already hold educational qualifications in cookery and hospitality, Australian universities consider them and appropriately grant credits. This recognition helps you save time by not taking units that you have already studied.
- Post-study work options: On-the-job training is crucial for chefs. In Australia, eligible cookery graduates can apply for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (Post-Vocational Education Work stream), allowing those aged 35 or under to stay up to 18 months to gain local experience.
- Permanent migration opportunities: Chef and cook occupations feature on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which means these skills are in high demand and have bright PR prospects.
Why pay for modules you have already mastered? If you have prior culinary qualifications or hospitality experience, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits, thus saving you thousands of dollars in tuition and months of study time. Let our academic counsellors evaluate your background to secure your maximum credit transfers before you apply.
How to Become a Chef in Australia?
The first step to becoming a chef is to complete an academic qualification that will make you eligible for jobs. Here are some of the popular courses in Australia in this field.
- Certificate in Commercial Cookery
- Certificate in Patisserie
- Certificate in Patisserie
- Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
- Diploma of Hospitality
- Undergraduate Certificate in Gastronomy
- Advanced Diploma of Hospitality
- Associate Degree in Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
- Master of Food Security
- Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Food Entrepreneurship)
You can study these courses at the university level or at TAFEs or specialised culinary arts schools and institutions. Most of these courses will require you to take up an apprenticeship with restaurants for the duration of your courses. Therefore, your course will consist mostly of practical training and some classroom learning components. At the end of your course, you will complete your apprenticeship as well, which makes you a qualified chef to work in Australia.
Not all culinary courses make you eligible for an Australian post-study work visa.
To qualify for the Subclass 485 visa and eventual PR, your chosen Certificate or Diploma must be strictly CRICOS-registered and meet specific duration requirements. Don't risk your immigration future on the wrong curriculum. Our education counsellors will manually match you with fully compliant, globally recognised culinary institutions.
Career Options After Graduation
As a qualified chef, you could be employed in one of the following areas
- Head Chef
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Catering Manager
- Chef de Partie
- Restaurant Manager
- Commis Cooks
Besides these jobs, studying cookery opens up many doors to entrepreneurship. Talented chefs can start their own food business and establish themselves in Australia successfully.
Launching a successful culinary career in Australia requires strategic regional placement. Becoming a Head Chef or opening your own restaurant demands more than just cooking skills; it requires studying in a city with a booming hospitality sector and favourable state nomination policies. Why guess which region is best for your career? Speak directly with our career advisors to align your culinary ambitions with Australia's fastest-growing food hubs.
Chef Salaries in Australia
As per the data published by the Australian government, a chef makes $1250 a week on average, and it grows in proportion to your skills and experience. Based on self-reported salaries on other job search sites, chefs in Australia make anywhere between $60000 to $90000 a year.
- Executive Chef: AU$85,000 - AU$120,000
- Head Chef: AU$75,000 - AU$95,000
- Sous Chef: AU$65,000 - AU$85,000
- Commis/Kitchen Chef: AU$60,000 - AU$70,000
PR Pathway for Chefs in Australia
To be invited to apply for one of the permanent visas, you need to follow these steps.
- Get a CRICOS-registered qualification in cookery and hospitality (Certificate/Diploma/Bachelors)
- Get your skills assessed positively by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) via the Job Ready Programme.
- Lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI) once you acquire sufficient PR points and/or meet the state requirements.
- Get invited to apply for one of the permanent visa options, such as subclasses 189, 190 or 491.
Becoming a chef in Australia is more than just learning to cook; it's a strategic stepping stone to a highly sought-after, well-paying career in one of the world's most vibrant hospitality sectors. With globally respected qualifications, extensive post-study work rights, and a clear pathway to permanent residency, Australia offers the perfect recipe for your success.
Securing Permanent Residency as a Chef requires a flawless master plan. From selecting the right academic program to executing the TRA Job Ready Programme, which demands 1,725 hours of tracked, paid employment, a single documentation error can reset your PR timeline. You do not have to navigate this complex immigration maze alone. Partner with a dedicated expert who will personally guide your journey from course enrolment to final visa clearance, completely free of charge.
How to Become a Chef in Australia FAQs
Yes. Australia is one of the best places to study culinary arts as the country has a vibrant food culture and plenty of food businesses of all sizes. You learn on the job and in classrooms equally and become an expert chef.
Better and more diverse job opportunities, high income, self-employment and business opportunities and permanent residency in Australia are also possibilities.
Yes. Skilled international Chefs and cooks are always in high demand in Australia, with "Accommodation and Food Services" representing one of the largest employing sectors in the country.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia (2026), the median full-time weekly earnings for a Chef (ANZSCO 3513) is AU$ 1,423, equating to an annual salary range generally between AU$ 65,000 and AU$ 100,000+, depending on experience.
Yes. Graduates with eligible trade qualifications can apply for the Subclass 485 (Post-Vocational Education Work stream) visa. It grants an 18-month stay (5 years for HK/BNO passport holders) to gain local experience, provided applicants are 35 years of age or under.
The Job Ready Programme (JRP) is a strict, employment-based skills assessment administered by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). To pass, you must complete a minimum of 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid employment as a chef in Australia.
Yes. The occupation of Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This grants eligible chefs access to independent, state-nominated, and employer-sponsored permanent visas like the 189, 190, and 186.
Trusted Expertise
About the Author
Published and reviewed by AECC counsellors who guide students through every step of their study-abroad journey.
Published by Femi Ferreras
Australia and New Zealand Study and Career Pathways Expert | 8 Years in International Education
Femi Ferreras is a Senior Education Counsellor at AECC Melbourne with 8 years of experience in international education across Australia and New Zealand. Originally from the Philippines, she began her career in Australia as a receptionist at AECC Melbourne. She then progressed into senior counselling, completing her Qualified Education Agent Counsellor (QEAC) certification along the way.
Femi is a primary point of contact for students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She takes a client-first approach, tailoring her advice to each student's needs and keeping her guidance clear, especially when students are uncertain or under stress. When cases are urgent or complex, she assesses them carefully, consults the right channels and works towards a smooth resolution.
Her expertise covers student visas, PhD and research pathways, the higher education and vocational sectors, and school-age applications. She consistently meets her placement targets, and her tailored, culturally responsive support has helped increase student engagement and referrals. She has completed familiarisation visits to Bond University, Flinders University, Study Adelaide and the University of Newcastle.
Femi is deeply motivated to support onshore international students in achieving their career goals and realising their Australian dream.
Reviewed by Samip Pokharel
Australia Course and Institution Selection Expert | 13 Years in International Education
Samip Pokharel is a QEAC-certified Education Counsellor at AECC Melbourne with 13 years of experience in international education, working in the field since 2013. He holds an MBA and has worked with students from diverse academic backgrounds across every study level.
Samip's approach is built on honest guidance, open communication and a genuine understanding of each student's goals, strengths and academic profile. He has worked on a wide range of applications, including profiles that needed careful positioning, realistic university selection and a well-planned strategy. He particularly enjoys helping students who feel unsure of their options. He helps them identify their strengths and present their profile authentically, while keeping expectations realistic.
Through university and college visits and several familiarisation tours, Samip has gained first-hand knowledge of institutions, campuses, programs and student life. That lets him give students practical insights beyond what brochures and websites can offer.
After 13 years in the field, his commitment remains the same: transparent, personalised and responsible guidance that helps students make decisions they can feel confident about.
