For chefs and cooks looking to work or migrate to Australia, a skills assessment is often a mandatory step.

Are you also preparing to migrate to Australia as a chef or a cook? If so, you need to understand the skill assessment process, which is crucial for you to work as a chef in Australia. This skill assessment, divided into two parts, documents and technical review, ensures that you possess the required skills and experience to excel in the culinary industry.

A positive skills assessment adds credibility to a chef’s or cook’s qualification, helps identify any areas needed for improvement, and apply for an Australian visa. This blog is your ultimate guide, packed with insights on eligibility requirements, the application process, and fees to help you ace your skills assessment and move closer to your Australian culinary adventure.

Table of Contents

Why is the Skills Assessment Important for Chef and Cook?

A skills assessment is a formal evaluation of a person’s qualifications and work experience to determine if they meet the required standards for a particular occupation in Australia. The primary assessing authority for chefs and cooks in Australia is VETASSESS. This government-approved organisation evaluates qualifications and work experience against Australian standards.

This assessment serves as official recognition that skilled migrants possess the necessary competencies to work in Australia in culinary industry. Once you complete the assessment, you will receive Australian Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, which is required for skilled visa application process under the skilled migration program.

The following ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) codes fall under the skills assessment for chefs and cooks:

Chef: 351311

Job includes:

Menu design, cost calculation, and food supply sourcing.
Making preparations and cooking meals.
Demonstrating cooking techniques and providing guidance.
Managing the kitchen operations.
Supervising dish quality at all phases of cooking and presentation.
Ensuring compliance with and monitoring workplace health, safety, and hygiene requirements.

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Cook: 351411

Job includes:

Inspecting food items for quality.
Preparing, seasoning, and cooking meals.
Using culinary equipment efficiently.
Keeping food in temperature-controlled surroundings.
Preparing meals to meet particular dietary requirements.
Serving, plating, and incorporating sauces, gravies, and garnishes.
Sanitising and cleaning food preparation areas.

What is the Skills Assessment Process for Chef and Cook?

For chefs and cooks looking to work or migrate to Australia, there are two primary paths to apply for a skills assessment.

Pathway 1: For Those Without an Australian Qualification: This pathway is for those who do not currently hold an Australian certificate and want VETASSESS to assess their trade skills.
Pathway 2: For Those With an Australian Qualification or Occupational License: This pathway is for those who already have an Australian qualification or a suitable professional license and need to demonstrate their skills in Australia.

Here is how you can get your skill assessment for a skilled migration visa.

Applying and Providing Evidence

To start your assessment for the chef and cook occupation, you need to start by completing the online application form. Once the form is completed, you must upload your training and employment documentation. Ensure that all documents are clear, well-formatted, and comprehensive. Make sure to complete all needed fields correctly.

Credential Required

Skill Requirements for Chefs

To be classified as a Chef under the ANZSCO framework, you must meet the following criteria for Skill Level 2:

Educational qualifications of SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management.

Skill Requirements for Cooks

To qualify as a Cook under the ANZSCO framework, you need to achieve Skill Level 3 by fulfilling one of these requirements:

Education qualification of SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.

Looking for advice on your assessment path? Contact us for thorough guidance and assistance on choosing and navigating your assessment pathway.

Stage 1: Documentary Evaluation for Assessment

A first step in the assessment process, the documentary assessment involves submission and review of detailed documentation. Document evidence is collecting work experience and training documents to prove that you have necessary skills and knowledge to work in culinary field.

Your document evidence needs to demonstrate that you meet the minimum employment experience requirement for your nominated occupation:

For licensed trades: with no formal training, you need 6 years of employment experience.
For licensed trades: with relevant formal training, you need 4 years of employment experience.
For non-licensed trades: with no formal training, you need 5 years of employment experience.
For non-licensed trades: with relevant formal training, you need 3 years of employment experience.

To meet the skills evaluation standards, your employment must comply with the following criteria:

Your employment must be in your nominated occupation or in a closely related occupation.
You must have worked at least 12 months of in your nominated occupation during the last 3 years.
The employment must be paid and full-time, with a minimum of 38 hours per week. If employed part-time, it will be counted on a pro-rata basis.

During the review of your evidence, the assessment authority will contact your referees to ensure that it is valid. Provide up-to-date contact information for your referees to make this process go smoothly.

Types of documents of evidence you need to provide are:

1. Employment Evidence

Employer Statement

Financial Evidence

Include exact employment dates (start and finish, with day and month).
State your normal work hours and employment type (full-time, part-time, casual).
Provide your job title(s) and a detailed task description.
Use official business letterhead for the statement.
Include the name, position, contact details, and signature of the person who supervised your work (manager, supervisor, or HR representative

Provide at least two of the following per year of employment claimed:

Official tax records (income statements, payment summaries).
Three payslips (from start, middle, and end of the year).
Superannuation documents.
Bank statements showing employer name and income deposits (highlight relevant entries).

2. Evidence of Self-Employment

Self-Employment Outside Australia	Self-Employment in Australia
Business registration documents. Relevant business licenses. Annual business returns. Statement from a registered accountant. Taxation documents with the business name.	Australian Business Number (ABN). Payment summary information statement. Business Activity Statement (BAS). Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Statement from a registered accountant.

3. Formal Training Evidence

Submit a qualification certificate or statement of completion.
Provide a full academic transcript or training documents with start and end dates.
Include apprenticeship documents if applicable.

Note: Exclude short courses, qualifications not directly related to your trade, or training without official recognition.

4. Supporting Evidence

1. Employment Evidence:	Employment contract Position description Offer/appointment letters.
2. Licenses:	Provide evidence of any relevant trade licenses
3. Photographs and Videos	Submit photos/videos showing you performing tasks safely, with descriptions.
4. Resume/CV	Include personal details Education Training Employment and licenses.

Stage 2: Technical Assessment

If your evidence is sufficient, meets the requirements, and you pass stage 1, you’ll need to pay the Stage 2 fee and complete a Technical Interview. This fee should be paid directly to Trades Recognition Australia.

In stage 2, a qualified tradesperson is your assessor who will have an interview with you, either online or in person in English (no interpreter is allowed). This interview is available on weekends at one of VETASSESS-approved venues around the world for assessment. This interview is mostly to identify your current skills; the assessor will ask you questions such as:

What was your job role, and what were its requirements?
How do you ensure quality and consistency in your work?
How would you handle a conflict with a client or supplier?
Explain how an item or equipment you use functions.
How do you handle food safety and hygiene in your kitchen?
How do you stay updated with current culinary trends?

Pay close attention to every question asked during your technical interview. Ask the assessor to repeat anything if you don’t understand it. Provide the most precise and unambiguous response you are able to. There will be an hour or so for the interview. When it’s over, the assessor will notify you, but the findings will not be sent to you immediately.

Aspiring to establish yourself as a chef in Australia? Elevate your chances of a positive assessment outcome by connecting with our experienced team today. Book a consultation.

Stage 3: Practical Assessment

Under Pathway 1 license trades, Stage 3, practical assessment is for international applicants without a suitable Australian qualification or occupational license. It is held both worldwide and in Australia. During this exam, you will perform a number of work-related tasks to demonstrate your trade abilities.

The primary purpose of the Practical Assessment is to collect evidence confirming that you have the essential knowledge and work experience as a chef or cook to function effectively in your trade in Australia.

Receiving Your Assessment Outcome

Pathway 1: Licensed Trades

Successful Outcome: You will receive a Successful Skills Assessment Result Letter as well as an Offshore Technical Skills Record.
Unsuccessful Outcome: You will receive a letter indicating that your skills assessment was unsuccessful. You have three options: accept the decision, request a reassessment, or get review of the assessment decision.

Pathway 1: Non-Licensed Trades

Successful Outcome: You will receive a Successful Skills Assessment Result Letter, an Australian Certificate III or IV qualification, and a Statement of Results.
Unsuccessful Outcome: You will receive an Unsuccessful Skills Assessment Result Letter, a Statement of Results, and a Statement of Attainment.

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Pathway 2: Licensed and Non-Licensed Trades

Successful Outcome: You will receive a Successful Assessment Outcome Letter.
Unsuccessful Outcome: You will receive an Unsuccessful Assessment Outcome Letter.

How much does it cost for cook and chef skill assessment?

The actual fee for chef and cook skill assessment differs based on the complexity of assessment. However, as per VETASSESS, the fees for assessment are:

		Pathway 1
		Initial Fee	Reassessment Fee	Review Fee
Stage 1	Documentary Evidence Assessment	$1120	$450	$700
Stage 2	Technical Interview	$2000	$1000	$700
Stage 3	Practical Assessment	$2200	$1100	$700
		Pathway 2
		Initial Fee	Reassessment Fee	Review Fee
Stage 1	Documentary Evidence Assessment	$1120	$450	$700
Stage 2	Technical Interview	$900	$450	$700

How long does it take to complete a cook and chef skills assessment?

According to Trade Recognition Australia, OSAP (Offshore Skills Assessment Program) assessments typically take 15 weeks from the time you submit your complete and decision-ready documentation evidence. However, the processing time for the outcome varies depending on the specific skills assessment program and circumstances, such as whether all required documentary evidence is submitted.

If you are seeking a review of your reassessment outcome (professional, general occupation and change of occupation) and filling an appeal, you can expect the process to take between 12 to 20 weeks.

For renewing your assessment, the process generally takes about 8 to 10 weeks once all necessary documents are submitted. The time might be longer if your application is complex. If you need faster processing, Priority Processing is available for positively assessed renewal applications and change of occupation applications.

Priority processing is provided for professional and general occupations but not for trade professions. Once an application has been validated as eligible for priority processing, it will be handled within 10 business days.

How long the chef and cook skill assessment is valid?

A chef and cook skills assessment is normally valid for three years from the date of issuance. This means you have three years to use your successful skills assessment results in your visa application. It is critical to submit your visa application within this time frame to prevent having to request a new examination.

Summing Up!

Completing the cook skill assessment demonstrates that your skill set and credentials match high requirements and indicates your eligibility to immigrate to Australia. Whether you’re negotiating the complexity of Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 or preparing for interviews and practical exams, the process is meant to validate your knowledge and boost your career’s standing. Understanding the requirements, properly preparing your evidence, and leveraging available resources will considerably improve your chances of a favourable assessment outcome.

We, as immigration specialists, will be at your side throughout the assessment process to help you achieve a positive outcome. Our experts can help with paperwork preparation, technical assessments, and navigating the Australian immigration system. Allow us to handle the details while you focus on demonstrating your culinary skills and becoming a qualified chef. Contact us today to get started on your journey to Australia.

Skills Assessment for Chef and Cook – ANZSCO 351311