Chef Jobs in Australia for Indians: Salaries, Visa & Scope 2025

The food industry in Australia is booming in 2025 and presents enormous opportunities for chef jobs in Australia in a range of possible food service situations. The hospitality industry is strong, offering competitive chef jobs in Australia with salary packages between AUD 50,000 and AUD 80,000, depending on ability and specialty. There are ample chef jobs in Australia for foreigners; many places are staffing rapidly to fulfill the needs of rising demand. The Australian Government is supporting chef jobs in Australia with sponsorship through a variety of visa options, including the Temporary Skill Shortage visa and employer-nominated schemes, so for those qualified to relocate to Australia to progress their careers, it is an option.

Chef Jobs in Australia for Indians in 2025: Latest Overview

In 2025, if you are seeking chef work in Australia, you are in luck- Australia's hospitality sector is on a surge, and there is strong demand for chefs in hotels, restaurants, cafés, resorts, and remote sites alike. On average,chef jobs in Australia have a salary range from AUD 55,000-120,000+, depending on the role, location, and experience (with penalty rates and superannuation included). There are plenty of chef jobs in Australia that foreigners can secure, especially in regional areas and high-volume venues, which require experienced chef talent.

Many employers are advertising chef jobs in Australia with sponsorship through TSS 482, Regional 494, and ENS 186 pathways, which almost always lead to permanent residency options. Make sure to highlight trade qualifications, previous HACCP compliance experience, menu costing, and covers; these all will help you stand ahead of potential employers. 

Also Read: Indian Chef Salary in Australia: Latest Guide

What Are the Current Chef Job Opportunities in Australia for Indians in 2025?

Australian talent market in 2025 for chefs employed. From recovery after the pandemic, it will rise mightily indeed via increasing levels of tourism and growing industry. For instance, according to the government's published statistics, last year saw 2600 chef positions added nationally in Australia. Furthermore, if we look at the hospitality industry, it's a projected value of AUD 102.05 billion in 2024 and expected to grow to AUD 148.18 billion by 2034. 

• Demand is very high in all sectors of cooking. By 2034, it is anticipated that 10,686 new chef jobs will be created in Victoria alone, with the Melbourne metropolitan area expected to see the highest growth, at 542 new jobs by 2027. There has been a current shortage as it was estimated there is currently a shortage of approximately 38,000 chefs, cooks, and restaurant managers available for work, with this developing the jobs for chefs in the australia market for foreigners seeking work in this occupation.

• The salary ranges vary mainly depending on experience. Chef jobs in Australia, in terms of salary ranges, may differ significantly. A Commis Chef in Australia can earn between AUD 62,500 and 82,000 annually, while Sous Chefs range from AUD $70,000 to $90,000 annually. Senior/head chefs earn between these numbers, usually at the midpoint, around AUD$85,000 and AUD$120,000 per year. About this level is the minimum income for a Catering Manager's 'One above senior head chef lol' who would probably work at somewhere quite fancy.

•  There are many visa pathways available for chefs working in australia. Chef jobs in australia with sponsorship are also found ubiquitously because they are on a TSS 482 visa (up to 4 years) or can be acquired via the Regional 494 visa and employer Nomination 186 chef. Chef is on the Medium & Long-term Strategic Skills List (ANZSCO

• The occupation is geographic across the country - across the country, there is substantial demand for chef jobs in Australia for expatriates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, and the regional occupancy is strong for expats, regional occupancy generally offers less processing time for visas and relocation, aged care, hotel, fine dining, catering industry chefs are actively recruiting internationally.

• International candidates have a very high approval rate; for instance, over 89% of skilled migration applications for chefs were approved in 2025. The chef occupation is ranked 8th on the National Skills Priority List and identified as the 9th most needed worker in the job market.

Types of Chef Positions Available in Australia for Indians:

Australian kitchens operate on established hierarchies offering clear progression paths.

1.  Executive Chefs: handle business operations, marketing strategies, and quality oversight in large establishments, earning AUD 85,000-120,000+. 

2. Head Chefs: control kitchen operations, manage staff, design menus, and liaise with suppliers, typically earning AUD 65,000-110,000. 

3. Sous Chefs: serve as second-in-command, managing daily operations and staff training, with salaries averaging AUD 76,422.

4.  Chef de Partie: positions focus on specific stations, 

While Commis Chefs and apprentices provide entry-level opportunities with casual rates of around AUD 28-40 per hour, plus penalty rates.

High-Demand Sectors for Indian Chefs in 2025

1. Aged care facilities represent a rapidly growing sector, offering stable hours, early finishes, and structured environments with competitive packages.

2.  Hotels and resorts provide diverse culinary experiences, international exposure, and career advancement opportunities across banqueting, room service, and specialty restaurants. 

3. Fine dining establishments seek experienced chefs with modern Australian cuisine expertise, offering premium salaries and creative freedom. 

4. Corporate catering and educational institutions provide regular schedules, volume cooking experience, and specialized dietary accommodation skills. 

5. Remote and regional sites offer enhanced packages, faster visa processing, and unique cultural experiences with mining, tourism, and hospitality operations.

What is the Average Chef Salary in Australia in 2025?

In 2025, the average salary for chefs in Australia is projected to fall between AUD 58,450 and AUD 88,084 per year, depending on level of experience, specific role, and location. While entry-level chefs can expect to be paid in the range of AUD 42,965, chefs with industry experience can command salaries of over AUD 120,000+ in executive/management positions. Hourly wages also vary based on experience, as evidenced by wage penalties for casual workers, who can earn an extra 25% for weekdays, 50% for Saturdays, and 75% for Sundays, above the base minimum wage (AUD 24.10 per hour).

How Does Salary Vary by Chef Role and Experience?

Experience in menu planning, budget management, and how to influence by means of flexibility, since when people are promoted from Commis to Executive Chef level, the chef's potential skills will provide an opportunity to have their earnings substantially lifted. 

Which Australian Cities Offer the Highest Chef Salaries?

Perth and Adelaide are showing higher averages for roles; Sydney generally pays the highest, with costs of living factored in. 

Chef jobs in australia are desirable due to pay checbands; as well, compensation for chef jobs in australia is affected by the type of venue and where the venue is located. Employers who may offer chef jobs in australia for foreigners often add to chef jobs in australia. Some employers may provide chef jobs in australia with visa sponsorship. Chef jobs in australia with sponsorship, for example, sponsored visa options may include salary packages that are competitive to the market or above market rate for chef roles, particularly outside the metro hubs. 

Also Read: Unskilled Jobs in Australia for Indians: Latest Guide 

How Can Foreigners Get Chef Jobs in Australia with Sponsorship in 2025? Experts Guide

Foreigners can get chef jobs in Australia with sponsorship through the TSS visa (subclass 482), referred to as a "Skills in Demand" visa. This entails employer sponsorship, demonstrated skills and qualifications, and English proficiency. Eventually, through the ENS 186 after three years of committed sponsoring, applicants can transition to permanent residency, making this the most favoured pathway for chef jobs for foreigners seeking to settle in the country. 

The Step-by-Step Process to Get a Sponsored Job as a Chef:  

1. Check Occupation Eligibility - Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills list, ensuring the successful candidate will qualify for a visa of up to 4 years and a pathway to PR. 

2. Meet Qualification Requirements - Hold a Certificate III and IV in Commercial Cookery or an equivalent international qualification recognised by TRA. 

3. Show Work Experience - Produce evidence of at least 2 years of full-time post-qualification experience as a chef, including references, payslips, and contracts of employment. 

4. Complete Your Skills Assessment - A PA person must acquire a TRA positive assessment if they are from one of the nominated countries (India, Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam) or if applying offshore. 

5. Meet all English Requirements - IELTS academic or general exams must demonstrate a minimum overall score of 5.0 and a minimum of 4.5 in each band for the short-term, or a minimum overall score of 5.0 and a minimum of 4.5 in each band for the medium-term.

6. Secure Employer Sponsor -The candidate is required to have an employer sponsor. Find an approved sponsoring employer to complete the Labour Market Testing and commit to the minimum salary threshold of above AUD $73,150 TSMIT. 

7. Lodge Visa Application - Submit the visa application, which includes applying for a visa 482, along with a health assessment, character clearances, and supporting documents.

8. Work Towards PR - Pursue permanent residency - Apply for the ENS 186 visa for permanent residency after 3 years of sponsorship, without employer restrictions.

What is the TSS (Subclass 482) Visa for Chefs?

 The TSS (Subclass 482) Visa for Chefs is as follows:

• The TSS Visa (subclass 482) - It enables an Australian employer to sponsor overseas chefs with relevant skills if a local worker is unable to fill the job. A Chef (351311) is eligible for a 4-year visa in the medium-term stream.  

• There are Multiple Streams - The Core Skills stream for chefs is the most common, but the Specialist Skills stream is designed for chefs who make specific, unique cuisines. The Labour Agreement stream is for particular arrangements with a specific employer.  

• Family - Your spouse and dependent children can join you (the primary applicant) in Australia. As their sponsor, they may be able to work and study.  

• PR Pathway - You can apply for permanent residency after 3 years of eligible employment through the Employer Nomination Scheme. The medium-term stream TSS visa (482) guarantees a pathway to PR.

 482 Visa Requirements for Chefs

Requirements for the 482 Visa for Chefs: 

• Qualifications - Minimum Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (preferred) or Certificate III + experience; international qualifications can be assessed. 

• Experience - Minimum 2 years of full-time chef experience after qualification, with evidence and references. 

• English Proficiency - IELTS 5.0 overall and 4.5 in each band (short-term) or 5.0 in each band (medium-term); Australian citizens and permanent residents are exempt. 

• Health and Character - Medical tests for tuberculosis/hepatitis B, police checks from all countries of residence over the last 10 years if residence is more than 12 months. 

Path to Permanent Residency

The path to permanent residency is as follows:

• ENS 186 Transition -After 3 years of sponsored work in Australia on a 482 visa, you can apply for an Employer Nomination Scheme visa ENS 186. This leads to permanent residency with no restrictions.

• Processing Times - Average processing times for regional applications are around 14 weeks. However, sponsored applications for areas in metropolitan Australia are currently taking 9 months to process due to government audits and employee verification of documentation.

• Salary Requirements - If you are applying for PR in a metropolitan area, you need to show that you earn at least AUD $80,000 per year. In contrast, in regional areas, the threshold requirement for PR applications is lower.

• Alternative Pathways - If chefs do not meet the salary minimums for PR, they can look into state nomination 190, regional provisional 491, or skilled independent 189, as long as they meet the point requirement. 

Chef jobs in Australia salaries for sponsored chef jobs in Australia are typically paid above TSMIT minimums, and the best chef jobs in Australia for foreigners usually include a package to benefit the relocation process. Other regions also to note are that jobs also tend to pay more in regional areas, and chef jobs in Australia with sponsorship generally have a quicker processing time.

What are the Steps to Finding a Sponsored Chef Job from India? Experts Insights 2025

Indian citizens can find chef roles in Australia with sponsorship through careful planning, well-planned prep, and targeted applications – as evidenced by a recent range of chef jobs in Australia with salaries ranging from AUD 72,000 to 82,000 for professional working chefs. The process involves thorough planning, having all documentation, and understanding the chef jobs in Australia requirements for foreigners from India. 

Comprehensive Process Step-by-Step:

1. Check Qualifications - A formal qualification document of Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent diploma, and a minimum of three to five years post-qualification chef experience in high volume format and western cuisine.

2. Complete English Testing - Successful testing in IELTS overall 5.0 with each band (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) being 5.0 or equivalent, PTE testing (36 in all parts). 

3. Prepare Documentation - Employment verify references, payslips, formal qualification certificates, detailed job descriptions, and/or a good portfolio which references your specialised experience of Indian or other international cuisine. 

4. Target Specific Roles - Try to lock in an interview for a specialist Indian cuisine chef, tandoori chef, or curry specialist, or a normal chef position for the use of Indian cooking qualifications in the new position. 

5. Apply Through Numerous Avenues - Use Indeed Australia using job boards, as well as specialist agencies such as Alliance Abroad and A Plus Agency. Try applying directly to the restaurants you are interested in working in, and hospitality job boards (Pinnacle, Jobs on Board, etc). 

6. Use Recruitment Agencies - Use the migration specalists who run chef assessment fairs in Dubai. As well, they process your visa application, matching you with employers all in one spot.

7. Find a legitimate Sponsor for your Employer - Find a legitimate employer sponsor willing to conduct Labour Market Testing, pay a base salary above the AUD 73,150 TSMIT threshold, and provide full-time, genuine employment.

8. Apply for a 482 visa - Submit a Skills in Demand visa application, including health checks, character checks, skills assessments if necessary, and employer sponsorship. 

The chef job market in Australia is highly interested in Indian culinary professionals, including in chef jobs in Australia for foreigners that prioritize candidates' professional experience with authentic Indian cuisine, and in chef jobs in Australia with sponsorship that provide a clear pathway to permanent residency after the job has been successfully performed for an agreed-upon length of time.

Also Read: Work Sponsorship Visa Australia: Types, Eligibility & More

What Types of Chef Jobs Are in High Demand in Australia in 2025?

The most sought-after positions in chef jobs in Australia in 2025 are Head/Executive Chef, Sous Chef, Chef de Partie/Line Cook, and Pastry Chef, encompassing fine dining, hotels, cafés, institutions, and catering as they underpin menus, quality, and brigade leadership. Head/Executive Chef, Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, or Pastry Chef frequently adorn the sponsored job links for overseas applicants, and senior roles attract the higher salary bands in chef jobs in Australia at premium venues and large hotel groups. 

Head Chef / Executive Chef

A Head/Executive Chef leads a kitchen, owning and controlling menu planning, supplier and budget management, team recruitment and management, and the quality of dishes, typically after 5 years or more of experience in a kitchen across various stations and in leadership roles. Typical workplaces include fine dining restaurants, hotels, catering companies, schools, and large institutional kitchens; compliance, hygiene systems, and developing the team are essential. Senior roles usually advertise quality chef jobs in Australia with salary packages because of P&L responsibilities and expected team leadership.

Sous Chef

A Sous Chef is second in command, overseeing daily operations as the Head Chef's deputy, managing rosters, ordering, inventory, and HACCP management, while training the brigade. Roles are available in restaurants, hotels, wineries, or event catering and require good leadership and consistency with both operations and service timing. The labour market's data suggests there will be solid chef jobs in australia, with salary levels for sous chefs as they will likely have operational ownership of supervising the brigade.

Chef de Partie (Line Cook)

A Chef de Partie (CDP) is responsible for a single station in the kitchen (grill, sauce, larder, pastry) and is responsible for the prep, cook, plating, and hygiene of that section, typically supervising commis chefs in larger brigades. Roles are universal across hotels, cafes, and multi-outlet venues, with clear instructions with respect to quality, presentation, and HACCP endorsed when moving between stations and responsibilities.  These roles are typical roles to apply for chef jobs in australia for newcomers under eligible sponsorship categories if aligned to chef duties with the benefits to the employer.

Pastry Chef (Patissier)

In the field of desserts, fresh breads, French and Danish pastries, pralines, and assorted sweets, a Pastry Chef manages the pastry side of things and produces desserts for every meal or banquet. As more signs pop up, beefing up production in major high-end hotels, special bakeries, and other places where customers demand top quality is a means of securing your future. There were many appeals from Lately in fine dining restaurants and premium hotels to work in a fast-paced, busy kitchen where efficient competence must be combined with creativity. Now, such places are even praiseworthy for their hygienic conditions. If the patissier has really advanced technique and a well-honed style, a premium establishment will often offer a very competitive salary instead of trying to hire him as an apprentice. Jobs in australia with good pay for the talented gained chef today. 

What Qualifications Do You Need for Chef Jobs in Australia in 2025? Latest Update

For chef jobs in australia, the core qualifications are SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management, Food Safety Supervisor certification, and (for many overseas applicants) a TRA skills assessment aligned to sponsorship and employer standards. These credentials underpin eligibility for chef jobs in australia for foreigners and support market-aligned chef jobs in australia salary packages, especially for chef jobs in australia with sponsorship.

Essential Certifications and Training

• SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is the trade-level qualification that leads to cook/commis roles across restaurants, hotels, clubs, pubs, cafés, and coffee shops.

• SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management (formerly Cert IV in Commercial Cookery) builds supervisory and team-leading capability via 33 units, preparing chefs to operate more independently.

• Many providers and state systems position SIT40521 as the post-Cert III step for section leaders and aspiring sous/head chefs in the industry.

• Food Safety Supervisor certification is mandated at the venue level, with accredited training and designated responsibility under state/territory rules (e.g., NSW, QLD).

• Core food safety units commonly required include SITXFSA005 and SITXFSA006, embedded in commercial cookery programs and Food Safety Supervisor courses.

Skills Assessment Process for International Chefs

• Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the skills authority, with TSS/OSAP pathways used to verify chef competence for migration and sponsorship eligibility.

• Chef (ANZSCO 351311) typically requires a positive skills assessment for employer sponsorship and skilled visas, with pathway selection based on passport and qualifications.

• The assessment commonly involves a documentary evidence stage (identity, qualifications, references, payslips, menus, detailed CV) followed by a practical/technical assessment where applicable.

• Document checklists for chef skills assessment include verified employment history, tax/pay evidence, and qualification transcripts to substantiate industry-level competence. 

Also Read: Top 15 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia: Updated

The Rising Demand and Opportunities for Chefs in Australia 2025 & Beyond

Current Market Statistics:

• 122,700 chefs are currently employed across Australia, with 78% working full-time

• Median weekly earnings of $1,330 ($69,160 annually)

• Annual employment growth of 2,600 new positions

• Chef occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

• Over 3,500 chef visas are granted annually, more than any other profession

2025 Industry Developments:

• Chefs are predicted to make the federal government's Skills Priority List

• Increased demand post-COVID recovery in the hospitality sector

• Farm-to-table dining concept driving innovation in Australian cuisine

Conclusion

Australia’s hospitality landscape in 2025 makes chef jobs in australia a career move, blending strong demand with pathways to growth and migration. Competitive chef jobs in australia salary packages reward skill, leadership, and mobility. Openings exist in hotels, fine dining, aged care, and remote sites, including chef jobs in australia for foreigners. With employer-backed visas, chef jobs in australia with sponsorship provide stability, relocation perks, and routes to permanent residency. 

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