Do you want to work in Australia?
In 2025, there are many cooking jobs in Australia. The good news is: many restaurants and hotels will help you get a visa so you can live and work in Australia. This is called visa sponsorship.
This simple guide will show you how to apply for cook jobs in Australia, what visa you need, and how you can move there.
Why Australia Needs More Cooks
The food and hotel business in Australia is growing fast. In 2025, more hotels, cafes, and restaurants will need cooks. They are looking for people from other countries to help.
Jobs are available in big cities like Sydney and Melbourne, and in smaller towns too.
They are looking for:
- Restaurant cooks
- Hotel cooks
- Line cooks
- Indian or Asian food cooks
Some places have too few workers. So, they are ready to help cooks from other countries get a visa.
What Kind of Visa You Need
If you want to work in Australia, you need the right visa. Here are three main types of visas for cooks:
Skills in Demand (SID) Visa – Subclass 482
This is a visa for people who have a job offer in Australia. It is a temporary visa, but you may get permanent residency later.
You need:
- A job offer from a company in Australia
- Basic English (IELTS score 5.0 or similar)
- 2 to 3 years of cooking work experience
- A salary of at least AUD 76,515 per year
Regional Sponsored Visa – Subclass 494
This visa is for cooks who want to work in regional areas (small towns or less busy places). It is a 5-year visa and can lead to permanent residency.
You need:
- A job offer from a company in a regional area
- Skills test (to prove you are a good cook)
- 3 years of cooking work experience
- Basic English
- Age under 45 (in some areas, age up to 55 is okay)
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa – Subclass 186
This visa gives you permanent residency. It is for people who already worked in Australia with a temporary visa.
You need:
- A job offer
- Skills test
- English test
- Cooking work experience
- Some cooks can get this directly if they work under special agreements
How to Apply for Cook Jobs in Australia (Step-by-Step)
Make Your Resume and Cover Letter
Resume:
Write down your cooking experience. Include your past jobs and your cooking school, if you went to one. Tell them what kind of food you can cook.
Cover Letter:
Write a short letter to the company. Tell them why you want to work in Australia and why you love cooking.
Find Jobs Online
Go to websites and search for jobs. Use words like:
- “Cook jobs in Australia with visa”
- “Chef jobs Australia”
- “Kitchen jobs Australia”
Best websites to find jobs:
- Seek
- Indeed
- Jora
- Glassdoor
Apply to the Right Places
Look for restaurants, hotels, or cafes that say they will sponsor your visa. Regional places (small towns) usually offer more chances.
Get a Job Offer
You may need to do a video or phone interview. Be ready to talk about:
- How you cook
- How you keep the kitchen clean
- How you work in busy places
Take the Skills Test
Most cooks must take a skills test. This test checks if you are good at your job.
What happens:
- You send documents like job letters, payslips, or certificates
- You do a video call and answer cooking questions
- Sometimes you must cook something for the test
If you don’t have a cooking certificate, 3 or more years of work experience is okay.
Your Employer Sends a Nomination
Once you pass the skills test, your employer in Australia sends a form to the government. They show that they want to hire you and they could not find a local cook.
You Apply for the Visa
You apply for your visa online using ImmiAccount (Australia’s visa website).
You need to send:
- Your passport
- Skills test result
- Job offer letter
- English test
- Health and police checks
Easy Tips to Help You Get the Job
- Practice for the skills test – Know your cooking basics and get ready for questions.
- Apply for jobs in small towns – There are more jobs and fewer people apply.
- Show your special skills – For example, Indian food, Asian food, pizza, or desserts.
- Talk to chefs on LinkedIn – Message them and ask about job openings.
- Know your job title – A cook and a chef are different. Chefs may have more PR options.
Questions People Often Ask
Q: How much do cooks earn in Australia?
A: Most cooks earn AUD $50,000 – $65,000 per year. For a visa, you must earn at least AUD $76,515 or more.
Q: Do I need a cooking certificate?
A: No, not always. If you have 3–5 years of experience, it may be enough. But having a Certificate III or IV in Cookery helps.
Q: Can I become a permanent resident?
A: Yes! After 3 years on the 494 visa or after some time on the 482 visa, you can apply for permanent residency.
Q: How long does it take to get the visa?
A: It can take 6 months to 1 year or more, depending on your case.
Ready to Start Your Cooking Job in Australia?
Australia needs good cooks in 2025. If you love cooking and want to work in a new country, this is your chance.
Apply now for cook jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship.
Your cooking career in Australia can begin today!