Cook
Food Trades
Cook is listed on Australia's Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This page covers skilled migration to Australia for Cooks, including visa pathways, skills assessment requirements, and key eligibility requirements under the CSOL.
OSCA Code
9808
ANZSCO 351411
Skills Assessment Body
VETASSESS
Typical Qualification
AQF Certificate III in commercial cookery
Visa pathways for Cook
Because Cook is listed on the CSOL, it is eligible for both temporary and permanent employer-sponsored migration streams as well as points-tested skilled migration. Source: Department of Home Affairs, CSOL instrument F2024L01618.
Subclass 482
Skills in Demand Visa (Temporary)
The 482 Skills in Demand Visa allows approved Australian employers to sponsor a Cook from overseas. The Core Skills stream covers CSOL occupations and grants a visa valid for up to 4 years. Requires at least 2 years of relevant work experience and Standard Business Sponsorship approval.
Subclass 186
Employer Nominated Scheme (Permanent)
The 186 provides a direct pathway to Australian permanent residence. Two streams are available: the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after 2 years on a 482 visa, and the Direct Entry (DE) stream for workers sponsored from outside Australia.
Subclass 494
Regional Employer Sponsored Visa
The 494 is for Cooks sponsored by a regional employer in a designated regional area. A provisional visa valid for 5 years, with a pathway to permanent residence after 3 years through the Subclass 191.
Subclass 189
Skilled Independent Visa
The 189 grants permanent residence without requiring a state or employer sponsor. Lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and receive an invitation based on your points score.
Subclass 190
State Nominated Visa
The 190 provides permanent residence with a state or territory nomination, which adds 5 points to your score. Each state and territory maintains its own occupation list and selection criteria.
Subclass 491
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
The 491 allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas for up to 5 years. State or territory nomination adds 15 points to your EOI, with a pathway to permanent residence through the 191 visa after 3 years.
Skills assessment for Cook: VETASSESS
The designated assessing authority for Cook (OSCA 9808, ANZSCO 351411) is VETASSESS. A positive skills assessment is required for most visa pathways, including points-tested skilled migration and the Direct Entry stream of the 186 visa.
Qualifications are benchmarked against the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Both the level and the relevance of your field of study to the nominated occupation are assessed together with your work experience.
Assessment Fees (approximate)
$1,096 – $1,206 AUD
Fees vary for residents and non-residents. Priority processing incurs an additional fee. Verify current fees directly with VETASSESS.
Qualifications accepted
Qualifications are benchmarked against the AQF. Both the level and the relevance of your field of study to the nominated occupation are assessed. Where your formal qualification is lower than the AQF benchmark, relevant work experience may compensate.
Work experience requirements
Skilled employment must be relevant to the nominated occupation and at an appropriate skill level. Stronger qualifications can reduce the experience required. The combination of qualifications and experience is assessed together.
186 stream distinction
The 186 Employer Nominated Scheme has two streams. The Direct Entry stream requires a positive skills assessment. The Temporary Residence Transition stream, available after 2 years of employment with an approved sponsor on a 482 visa — does not require a separate skills assessment from an assessing body.
CSOL caveats for Cook
Under the Core Skills Occupation List (instrument F2024L01618), the following applicable circumstances are specified for Cook. Where any of these circumstances apply to the position, the occupation does not apply to the identified person for visa purposes:
- ! Caveat 3: The position is involved in mass production in a factory setting.
- ! Caveat 4: The position is in a limited service restaurant.
The CSOL and applicable circumstances change periodically. Always verify current occupation list status and caveats on the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list page before lodging a visa application.
Related occupations in the same group
Why instruct Visa Plan if you are a Cook?
Solicitor-led advice
All matters are handled by admitted Australian solicitors, not migration agents. Your communications are protected by Legal Professional Privilege.
Occupation expertise
We assess whether your qualifications and employment history align with the nominated occupation before any application is lodged. Correct positioning from the start.
Tribunal experience
James Bae represented the Australian Government at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal before founding Visa Plan. That experience informs every application strategy.
Reviewed by Visa Plan Migration Lawyers · Last updated: April 2026 · Occupation data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) and the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), and the Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List (instrument F2024L01618). CSOL status verified against the official CSOL PDF published by the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Migration law is complex and individual circumstances vary. Contact Visa Plan for advice specific to your situation.