5 Legal Visas for Australia Hospitality Jobs

Are you a skilled Chef Cook or Restaurant Manager dreaming of a dynamic career under the Australian sun You are in the right place Australia vibrant hospitality sector is experiencing critical skills shortages  making 2025 the ideal time for overseas hospitality workers to secure Australian hospitality sponsorship jobs and a legal work visa Australia hospitality

Navigating Australian immigration can feel complex but there are clear legal PR visa for Australian hospitality workers and temporary pathways designed to attract your skills This definitive guide breaks down the top 5 legal work visa pathways and provides actionable steps to fast track your move to Australia.

1. The Direct Pathway Subclass 482 Visa Skills in Demand

The Temporary Skill Shortage TSS Visa subclass 482 soon to be reformed as the Skills in Demand SID visa is the single most common route for professionals to secure an Australia hospitality work visa. It’s an employer sponsored visa that allows a worker to live and work in Australia for up to four years

Key Visa Subclasses for Hospitality

The 482 visa is tiered and your job role dictates your potential path to permanent residency PR

• Medium-Term Stream MLTSSL:

  • This is the preferred stream for high demand roles like Chef ANZSCO 351311 and Hotel or Motel Manager ANZSCO 141311

  • It offers a visa of up to four years and a potential pathway to the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme ENS 186 visa after two years of employment with the same sponsor

• Short Term Stream STSOL:

  • Includes roles like Cafe or Restaurant Manager ANZSCO 141111The visa is for up to two years and offers more limited permanent residency PR pathways often requiring state or territory nomination via a subclass 491 visa

2. The PR Goal The Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186

The Subclass 186 visa hospitality is the ultimate goal granting you Australian permanent residency PR This is often accessed after a few years on a 482 visa but in some cases you can apply directl

• Temporary Residence Transition Stream:

  • The most common route You must have worked full time in Australia for at least two years on a 482 visa in the same occupation for your sponsoring employer

• Direct Entry Stream:

  • If you meet the skills age under 45 and English requirements and have a positive skills assessment e.g Skills assessment hospitality Australia from TRA or VETASSESS an employer can nominate you directly for the 186 PR visa This is competitive but fast

Vital Requirements for Employer Sponsorship

For the 482 and 186 visas the employer must meet strict criteria  including the Australian Market Salary Rate AMSR and the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold TSMIT currently $73 150 as of December 2023 but subject to change

 Unique Insight: As of late 2024 the average annual salary for a Chef in Australia ranges from $75000 to $80000 with Head Chef salaries reaching $85000 to $100000 in high demand regional locations SEEK data Your sponsored salary must meet or exceed the TSMIT to ensure a legal application

3. Regional Advantage: The Skilled Work Regional Visas Subclass 491 and 494

The Australian Government strongly incentivises skilled migrants to move to Regional Australia to address skills shortages outside major cities like Sydney Melbourne and Brisbane

Subclass 494: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

This visa is an employer sponsored pathway for regional hospitality jobs Australia visa

• Visa Term: A five year provisional visa

• PR Pathway: After three years of working in the regional area you are eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence Skilled Regional visa Subclass 191

• Benefit: The occupation lists for regional areas are often broader including more hospitality roles than the standard national list

Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa

This is a State Territory nominated visa requiring you to achieve a minimum points score on the SkillSelect system

• Nomination: You must be nominated by a state or territory government e.g Queensland hospitality visa sponsorship or South Australia skilled migration hospitality

• Benefit: It includes a wide range of in demand hospitality roles and offers a faster route to PR through the same Subclass 191 visa

4. The Specialist Route: Designated Area Migration Agreements DAMA

A Designated Area Migration Agreement DAMA is a Labour Agreement hospitality Australia between the Federal Government and a specific regional area like the Northern Territory or the Goldfields region in WA

• DAMA Concessions: DAMAs offer concessions to standard visa rules which can include

  • Sponsorship for occupations not on the standard lists e.g Barista visa Australia or Pastry Cook visa Australia

  • Lower English language requirements

  • Age concessions some DAMAs allow applications up to age 55

• The Best Fit: If your role is not on the main skilled lists or if you are over the standard age limit a DAMA can be the most effective way to secure a sponsorship visa Australia hospitality 482 or 494 visa

5. The Foot in the Door: Post-Study and Training Visas

If you are already in Australia or are willing to study these provide a platform for your skilled migration Australia hospitality journey

• Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485

  • Allows international students who have completed an Australian qualification to live and work temporarily This is your chance to gain the Australian work experience an employer wants for a Chef sponsorship Australia or Restaurant Manager sponsorship Australia

• Training Visa Subclass 407:

  • An ideal visa for skills development and occupational training It is an employer sponsored visa that allows you to participate in workplace based training to obtain the skills required for a higher tier visa

 Actionable Checklist for Success

Follow these steps to transition from searching What visa do I need to work in Australian hospitality to applying

1. Skills Assessment: For roles like Chef and Cook secure a positive skills assessment from the relevant body usually Trade Recognition Australia  TRA This is a non negotiable step

2. Verify ANZSCO: Ensure your job title and duties perfectly match the ANZSCO code hospitality definition e.g Cook visa Australia ANZSCO 351411

3. Secure an Employer: You cannot apply for the 482  494  or 186 visas without an approved employer sponsorship offer Focus your search on employers advertising for Australian hospitality sponsorship jobs.

4. Meet the TSMIT: Confirm your offered salary meets the TSMIT hospitality requirement This prevents visa refusal and helps meet E A T Compliance by ensuring a legal fair wage

5. English Proficiency: Have valid results for an English test IELTS or PTE ready to meet the minimum English test requirements Australia visa

 Hospitality Visa FAQ

How to get PR in Australia as a chef?

The most common path is to first secure a Subclass 482 visa Medium Term Stream with an employer then transition to the Subclass 186 visa Employer Nomination Scheme after two years of employment A direct entry 186 visa is possible but less common

Can I move to Australia as a cook?

Yes the occupation Cook ANZSCO 351411 is on the skilled occupation lists and is eligible for the Subclass 482 and Subclass 494 visas especially in Regional Australia hospitality jobs visa locations

What is the easiest way to get a hospitality visa Australia?

There is no easiest way but the most direct path is often the Subclass 482 visa via a large or regional hotel restaurant chain that actively seeks overseas hospitality jobs Australia visa candidates The best pathway is the one that directly matches your skills and qualifications

Ready to Start Your Aussie Hospitality Journey

Are you ready to start your journey in Australian hospitality?

The demand for skilled workers in the Australian hospitality industry is very high and the visa options are very clear

Do not let the application process stress you out or confuse you the reward is a safe job and a wonderful lifestyle