351311
Chef
Plans and organises the preparation and cooking of food in a dining or catering establishment.
Relevant occupation lists
MLTSSL — Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List This list is used for several skilled visa pathways, including the points-tested 189, 190 and 491 where the applicable rules allow. Being on it does not make an occupation eligible for every skilled or employer-sponsored visa, so check the specific subclass, stream and current instrument.
CSOL — Core Skills Occupation List Introduced on 7 December 2024, the CSOL is used for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482, and the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa, subclass 186. Check the stream-specific requirements and any restrictions on the proposed position.
Visa pathways listed for this occupation
Select a visa to read the fuller explanation on this website, including the requirements you need to consider alongside the occupation listing.
Recorded subclass 189 invitation round
–The recorded subclass 189 results for 4 June 2026 do not show an invitation for this occupation.
The lowest invited score describes what happened in one round. It can change with the occupations selected, places available and candidates waiting, so it is not a fixed score to aim for. Where candidates have the same points, invitation order uses the EOI’s date of effect, broadly the time it reached that score. Check the tie-break information alongside the points result.
States and territories select candidates for the subclass 190 and state-nominated subclass 491 pathways through their own programmes. There is no single national invitation cut-off for those pathways, so look at the relevant jurisdiction’s criteria and published selection information.
Restrictions on eligible positions
A caveat limits the circumstances in which a position can be nominated under a particular visa stream. It may relate to the duties, business or other features of the job. If a restriction excludes the proposed position, the occupation’s presence on the list does not make that position eligible; read the full wording and any exceptions.
- 482 - Skills in Demand (subclass 482) - Core Skills stream
Excludes any position involved in mass production in a factory setting
- 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) - Direct Entry Pathway
Excludes any position involved in mass production in a factory setting
Skills assessing authority
Where your visa requires a skills assessment, check the designated authority, the assessment pathway and when the result must be available. The authority sets its own criteria for qualifications, experience and evidence; a positive assessment does not by itself establish that every visa requirement is met.
- TRATrades Recognition Australiahttp://tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au/
ANZSCO
The material below reproduces the Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO entry. Read it as the occupation’s classification description, alongside the current visa and assessment requirements.
Occupation description
Plans and organises the preparation and cooking of food in a dining or catering establishment.
Specialisations
ANZSCO skill level 2
Skill level 2 The general Australian qualification level is an AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma. At least three years of relevant experience may substitute within the classification, although additional experience or training can also be required. AQF is the Australian Qualifications Framework; separate assessment and visa rules still need to be checked.
Typical 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
3513 Chefs
Chefs plan and organise the preparation and cooking of food in dining and catering establishments. Cooks, Fast Food Cooks and Kitchenhands are excluded from this unit group. Cooks are included in Unit Group 3514 Cooks. Fast Food Cooks and Kitchenhands are included in Minor Group 851 Food Preparation Assistants.
ANZSCO classification hierarchy
- 3Technicians and Trades Workers
- 35Food Trades Workers
- 351Food Trades Workers
- 3513Chefs
- 351311Chef
Unsure whether this occupation fits your work?
Choosing an occupation involves more than finding a familiar job title. I can review your duties, qualifications and visa history with you, explain which occupation your evidence may support and identify any gaps before you apply for a skills assessment. That discussion can also help you understand how the occupation choice affects the visa options you are considering.
Book a consultationSources: the Department of Home Affairs for occupation lists, visa links, restrictions and assessing authorities; the Australian Bureau of Statistics for ANZSCO descriptions, tasks, skill levels, alternative titles and specialisations. The directory uses ANZSCO 2022 and, where relevant to the visa framework, ANZSCO 2013. Refer to the original entries for current requirements, attribution and reuse terms.
Home Affairs skilled occupation list · ABS occupation classification entry
Estimate your skilled migration points — Check the points categories for visas 189, 190 and 491
Next step
Have a visa question or need help getting started?
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.