Chef ANZSCO 351311: visa options and skilled lists

What a Chef does

Plans and organises the preparation and cooking of food in a dining or catering establishment.

Specialisations: Chef de Partie, Commis Chef, Demi Chef, Second Chef, Sous Chef

Key facts

ANZSCO code: 351311
Skill level: 2Associate degree, advanced diploma or diploma
Skilled lists: Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Visas that list it: 189 190 491 482 186 494
Assessing authority: TRA
National shortage: Regional shortage

Visa options

Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.

Conditions apply to 2 visasSome positions don’t qualify. Open a visa below to see its conditions.

Points-tested

Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentVia MLTSSLEligible
Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
Subclass 491, family sponsoredVia MLTSSLEligible

Employer-sponsored

Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills streamVia CSOLConditions apply
See 3 conditions
- The position is involved in mass production in a factory setting.
- The position is in a limited service restaurant.
- The position is not provided for under an International Trade Obligation
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry streamVia CSOLConditions apply
See 3 conditions
- The position is involved in mass production in a factory setting.
- The position is in a limited service restaurant.
- The position is not provided for under an International Trade Obligation
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored RegionalVia MLTSSLEligible

Main tasks

planning menus, estimating food and labour costs, and ordering food supplies
monitoring quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation
discussing food preparation issues with Managers, Dietitians and kitchen and waiting staff
demonstrating techniques and advising on cooking procedures
preparing and cooking food
explaining and enforcing hygiene regulations
may select and train staff
may freeze and preserve foods

Shortage by state

NationalRegional shortage
ACTShortage
NSWRegional shortage
NTShortage
QLDRegional shortage
SARegional shortage
TASRegional shortage
VICRegional shortage
WARegional shortage

State and territory nomination

For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.

Common questions

What does a Chef do?

Plans and organises the preparation and cooking of food in a dining or catering establishment. (ABS ANZSCO description.)

Is Chef on the skilled occupation list?

Yes. Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 186, 189, 190, 482, 491 and 494 visas.

What is the ANZSCO code for Chef?

351311. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.

How can a Chef migrate to Australia?

The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Chef for the Subclass 186, Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 482, Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.

Who assesses Chef for an Australian visa?

TRA, the skills assessing authority listed for 351311.

Is Chef in demand in Australia?

Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "Regional shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.