Chef Skills Assessment & RPL Pathway

MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au

Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is a Skill Level 2 hospitality occupation covering the planning, preparation and cooking of food in commercial kitchens, often with supervisory duties. For skilled migration the assessing authority is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). Widen Migration (MARN 1576536) helps chefs prepare a strong skills assessment.

The skills assessment & RPL pathway for Chef

For a Chef (ANZSCO 351311), Trades Recognition Australia carries out the migration skills assessment, usually via the Offshore Skills Assessment Program or, in Australia, the Job Ready Program. TRA generally looks for a qualification comparable to a Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or Commercial Cookery and current, verifiable work experience in the chef role, often at least 12 months in the last three years, evidenced by employer references, menus and a portfolio. A technical interview or practical assessment may apply.

Distinguish the qualification from the migration assessment. RPL through an RTO can issue an Australian VET qualification such as a Certificate IV in Kitchen Management based on your existing skills and evidence, but that is not the same as the TRA migration skills assessment, which independently evaluates your skills and experience for visa purposes. The chef occupation is not a licensed trade, so there is no state occupational licence to obtain; however, food handling and food safety requirements apply to workplaces under state and territory food safety laws, separate from your migration assessment.

Evidence typically required

• Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or Commercial Cookery (or comparable overseas qualification) with transcripts
• Detailed employer references confirming chef duties, menu planning and any supervisory role
• Evidence of at least 12 months current chef experience in the last three years
• Sample menus, recipes and a portfolio demonstrating the level of work
• Payslips, contracts or tax records corroborating employment dates and hours
• Identity documents and any relevant food safety or training certificates

Looking at the whole journey rather than just the assessment? See the full pathway guide: Migrate to Australia as a Chef →

Which skilled visa uses this occupation?

Once Chef is positively assessed, the assessment supports a points-tested or employer-sponsored skilled visa. The right one depends on your points, age, state nomination and whether an employer will sponsor you.

• Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent (points-tested, no sponsor)
• Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (state nomination)
• Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (regional nomination)
• Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand (employer sponsorship)
• 482 → 186 permanent residency pathway
• Check your points for 189/190/491

Speak with WIDEN

Related occupations

• Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
• Automotive Electrician
• Baker
• Bricklayer
• Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
• Cabinetmaker
• Carpenter
• Cook

General information only, not migration advice. ANZSCO codes and assessing-authority arrangements change (ANZSCO is transitioning to OSCA) and skilled occupation lists are updated periodically — confirm the current code, authority and requirements for your situation. Skills assessments are conducted by the relevant assessing authority and RPL qualifications are issued by Registered Training Organisations, not by WIDEN. No qualification or assessment guarantees a visa. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid consultation under a written service agreement.