Skills assessment · ANZSCO 351311
Chef Skills Assessment & RPL Pathway
How Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is assessed for skilled migration — and where Recognition of Prior Learning fits
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
- Occupation: Chef
- ANZSCO code: 351311
- Skill level: Skill Level 2
- Assessing authority: Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
- RPL relevant: Yes — see below (RPL can lead to a Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or Commercial Cookery from an RTO, but that VET qualification is separate from the TRA migration skills assessment.)
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
Is RPL part of your Chef pathway?
Start with a free RPL eligibility check, or book a consultation to confirm the right assessing authority and whether RPL fits your visa goal for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chef the same as a cook for migration purposes?
No. Chef (ANZSCO 351311) and Cook (ANZSCO 351411) are separate occupations with different duties and different assessment requirements. A chef typically plans menus, manages food production and may supervise kitchen staff. TRA assesses your actual duties against the chef occupation, so your employment evidence must clearly demonstrate chef-level responsibilities.
Does an RPL commercial cookery qualification complete my skills assessment?
No. An RPL Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or Commercial Cookery is a VET qualification issued by an RTO. The TRA migration skills assessment is a separate process that evaluates your qualification together with verified chef employment evidence against Australian standards. The qualification can support the assessment but does not replace it.
Do chefs need a licence to work in Australia?
Chef is not a licensed occupation, so there is no state occupational licence to obtain like there is for electricians or plumbers. Workplaces must still meet food safety and food handling requirements under state and territory law. These workplace requirements are separate from your TRA skills assessment and your migration application.
Related
- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) — skills assessment overview
- RPL guide for this field
- All occupations by assessing authority
- RPL — migration pathway guidance
- RPL by assessing authority
- Points calculator
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.