If you’re a bakery or pastry chef dreaming of a career in Australia, you’re not alone. With Australia’s growing hospitality industry and booming café culture, skilled chefs are increasingly in demand, particularly in metropolitan areas and regional towns. But is your occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)? And how can you secure a pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)?
Why Australia Needs Chefs
Australia’s hospitality and tourism sectors have been expanding steadily. From bustling cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth to regional tourist hotspots, restaurants, cafés, and bakeries are on the lookout for experienced chefs, pastry experts, and bakers.
The demand is driven by:
- Growing food culture and café scene
- Regional tourism and hospitality expansion
- Shortages of skilled chefs willing to relocate
For overseas-trained chefs, this creates opportunities to live and work in Australia long-term.
PR and Visa Pathways for Bakery & Pastry Chefs
While baking and pastry chef roles may not always appear on the main Skilled Occupation List, there are several options for chefs looking to migrate:
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
- Requires employer sponsorship.
- Allows you to work in Australia for 2–4 years.
- Can lead to Employer Nomination Scheme PR (Subclass 186).
- Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
- Work in a regional area for 3 years.
- Eligible for permanent residency (Subclass 191) after meeting criteria.
- Regional areas are often eager for chefs and hospitality workers.
- State or Territory Nomination (Subclass 190)
- Some states may list chefs or hospitality workers on their state-specific occupation lists.
- Grants direct PR if nominated and approved.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of PR
- Gain strong work experience in professional kitchens (ideally 3+ years).
- Obtain formal qualifications like Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or Pastry.
- Consider regional employment — it increases your chance for nomination.
- Improve English proficiency (IELTS or PTE).
- Work with a registered migration agent to identify the best pathway.
Australia PR for Bakery & Pastry Chefs: Visa Pathways 2025–2026
Even if bakery or pastry chef roles are not always on the main skilled list, there are pathways via employer sponsorship, regional visas, and state nominations. Skilled chefs willing to relocate to Australia’s regional areas often find faster pathways to permanent residency.
At Australian Visa Office, our registered migration agent Dejan (MARN 0601356) can help you:
- Identify if your occupation qualifies
- Explore sponsorship or nomination options
- Prepare your visa application for 482, 190, or 491 pathways
Contact Dejan on Whatsapp:
+61 423 334 431