Cook migration to Australia: TRA, visa 482, 190, DAMA and PR pathways
Can this occupation migrate to Australia?
Cook (ANZSCO 351411) is an occupation that appears on Australia’s skilled-migration lists, but there are some specific conditions to be aware of. The occupation is eligible for the visa 482 (employer-sponsored), the visa 190 and 491 (state-nominated), and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) in several regions. The visa 189 (no sponsor required, points-tested) does not apply to Cooks. Because actual Cook wages are often below the income threshold for the standard visa 482, DAMA — which can waive that income threshold — tends to be the most accessible route for this group.
ANZSCO and CSOL: position on the occupation lists
Cook is classified under ANZSCO code 351411, Skill Level 3. This is an entirely different code from Chef (ANZSCO 351311, Skill Level 1) — a very common point of confusion. A Cook under ANZSCO 351411 prepares and cooks food in a restaurant, café, catering or similar setting, following set instructions and recipes. A Chef carries responsibility for menu design and for managing the kitchen at a higher level.
In terms of position on the occupation lists, Cook (351411) appears on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) , which means the occupation is eligible for the visa 482 Core Skills stream and for some state-nominated visas. However, Cook is not on the points-tested list for the independent visa 189. Being on the CSOL is a necessary condition for an employer to sponsor a visa 482.
Skills assessing authority: TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) via the Job Ready Program
The skills assessing authority for Cook (351411) is TRA (Trades Recognition Australia), through the Job Ready Program (JRP). This is the assessment process for people who already hold a qualification or have trade experience gained overseas and who want their skills recognised in Australia to Australian standards.
The Job Ready Program has three main stages. First is the initial application and registration with TRA, accompanied by an initial Skills Assessment of your documents. Second is a period of supervised, hands-on work in Australia under a registered employer, usually lasting 12 to 18 months. Finally there is the Final Trade Assessment, which confirms that your skills meet the standard. TRA fees vary by stage, and the total cost for the whole JRP generally varies (current fees — check the official assessing-authority website) depending on the individual case. Processing of the initial assessment usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, but the JRP as a whole can take more than 12 months.
To be eligible for the Job Ready Program, applicants need a relevant trade qualification (a cookery qualification from a recognised training provider) or substantial practical work experience in the industry, together with English sufficient to work in a real kitchen environment. Applicants who worked overseas before coming to Australia should prepare reference letters confirming their experience from former employers, translated into English and certified as required.
Suitable visas: an overview
Cook (351411) can approach migration to Australia through these main visa streams: the visa 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage), sponsored by an approved Australian employer; the visa 190 (Skilled Nominated) and visa 491 (Skilled Work Regional), nominated by a state or territory on a points basis; and DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreements) in designated labour-shortage regions. For the permanent-residence route, the visa 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream — after working on a visa 482 — is the most common pathway.
Visa 482 — employer sponsorship
The visa 482 Core Skills stream allows an overseas worker to work in Australia under the sponsorship of an approved sponsor. With Cook (351411) on the CSOL, an employer can sponsor an employee through this stream for a visa term of up to four years. The biggest challenge, however, is the income threshold requirement (the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold, TSMIT), currently set at (current TSMIT level) per year. Actual Cook wages in Australia are often well below that threshold — this is a point to discuss clearly with the sponsoring employer to work out how to handle it.
To sponsor an employee on a visa 482, an employer first needs to register as a standard business sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs, lodge a nomination for the position, and then sponsor the visa for the employee. The employer must show that no suitable Australian worker could be recruited (Labour Market Testing), pay no less than the income threshold or the market rate, and comply with sponsor obligations. Because of the income-threshold requirement, many small restaurants and catering businesses find it difficult to sponsor a Cook through the standard visa 482 — which is why DAMA becomes important.
Pathway from 482 to permanent residence
After working continuously for at least two years on a visa 482 with the same sponsoring employer, a worker is eligible to apply for the visa 186 through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. This is the most direct permanent-residence route for those who entered Australia on a visa 482. The employer needs to continue sponsoring and confirm the position is full-time, while the applicant must meet English, health and character requirements.
One important note: the visa 186 TRT does not require a fresh skills assessment if the applicant was already assessed for the visa 482. However, if the salary during the period on the 482 did not meet the minimum threshold prescribed at the time of lodging the 186, the application can be affected. Check the specific conditions with a registered migration agent (MARA) before lodging.
Visa 190 and 491 — state nomination
The visa 190 is a points-tested permanent visa that requires nomination by a state or territory and adds 5 points to the total EOI score. The visa 491 is a five-year provisional regional visa, also points-tested, adding 15 points, with a pathway to permanent residence via the visa 191 after three years of working and living in a regional area. For Cook (351411), states such as South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS) and Queensland (QLD) regularly nominate the Cook occupation in their invitation rounds, depending on local labour demand at the time.
To gain state nomination, applicants usually need to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, meet each state’s minimum points, and in many cases hold a job offer or already be living or studying in that state. Some states require a Cook applicant to have a job offer before considering nomination. The occupation lists and requirements of each state change from one invitation round to the next, so check each state’s official website regularly.
English requirements
English requirements vary by visa type. For the visa 482 Core Skills stream, the minimum is usually an overall IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 4.5 in each band), or an equivalent score in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or another recognised test. For the points-tested visa 190 and 491, the minimum English requirement is “competent English” (overall IELTS 6.0, minimum 6.0 in each band), and a higher English score earns additional points in the points system (proficient English at 7.0 in each band, superior English at 8.0 in each band).
With DAMA, some agreements allow a lower English level than the standard requirement, which is a significant advantage for applicants who have not yet reached IELTS 6.0. The specific DAMA English level depends on the individual regional agreement — often IELTS 4.5 overall with a minimum of 4.0 in each band for certain DAMA regions.
Indicative salary
The figures below are reference points, not guaranteed wages. Actual pay depends on city or region, level and experience, type of employer, full-time/part-time/casual status, the award classification, penalty rates, compulsory superannuation (super), and the visa/sponsorship context.
Labour-market benchmark (official): According to the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile (data from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours), the median weekly earnings for the Cooks occupation group (ANZSCO 3514) is 1,432 AUD/week — roughly 6,210 AUD/month or 74,500 AUD/year on a simple 52-weeks-a-year conversion (a pre-tax figure, a reference point only, not a guaranteed wage). This is the median for full-time, non-managerial, adult-rate, pre-tax workers — neither the minimum nor the highest, and a figure for the whole occupation group rather than a single position.
Salary range from job ads (market): Sites such as SEEK Salary Insights publish salary ranges based on job advertisements, reflecting what employers are offering and usually broad across levels. At the time of updating, AustraliaHub had not verified a salary range from SEEK; you should look it up directly on SEEK for the exact position and compare it against the median benchmark above.
Legal minimum floor: The restaurant and hospitality sector applies awards such as the Restaurant Industry Award (MA000119) or the Hospitality Industry (General) Award (MA000009). These are the legal minimum floor, distinct from market pay; the specific rate depends on the job classification. Look up the rate that applies to your classification using the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool (https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/). For sponsorship on a visa 482 specifically, the salary must meet the minimum income threshold (the Core Skills Income Threshold, formerly TSMIT) set by Home Affairs and updated each financial year — check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Official sources (checked 12/06/2026):
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Cooks occupation profile (ANZSCO 3514): https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-and-industry-profiles/occupations/3514-cooks
- Fair Work Ombudsman: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/
Pathway to permanent residence: summary
The most accessible current pathway to permanent residence for a Cook is: complete the TRA skills assessment via the Job Ready Program (12–18 months) → find an employer in a DAMA region → apply for a visa 482 through the DAMA agreement (income-threshold waiver) → work continuously for two years → lodge a visa 186 TRT for permanent residence. Some people take a parallel state route: complete TRA → accumulate points → gain state nomination for a visa 491 (regional) → live and work in a regional area for three years → lodge a visa 191 for permanent residence. Both pathways are feasible; which one suits better depends on the individual’s circumstances, including English score, work experience and the ability to find an employer.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Cook (351411) with Chef (351311): This is the most common mistake. The two ANZSCO codes have entirely different requirements for skills assessment, experience standards and visa conditions. Calling yourself a Chef when you actually work in a Cook role can lead to a refused application.
- Not accounting for the income threshold when looking for a visa 482 sponsor: Many applicants find an employer willing to sponsor but unable to meet the income-threshold requirement, which causes the application to fail. Discuss the salary clearly from the outset or consider the DAMA route as an alternative.
- Overlooking DAMA because of not knowing about it: Many Cook applicants do not realise DAMA may suit their circumstances better, especially when wages are below the income threshold. DAMA exists in several regions such as the Northern Territory, South Australia (outside Adelaide) and others — worth researching carefully before deciding.
- Starting the Job Ready Program without a valid work visa in Australia: The JRP requires supervised, hands-on work in Australia. Applicants need to ensure their current visa (for example a student visa or working holiday visa) allows them to work enough hours in the industry before registering.
- Not updating the state occupation list before lodging an EOI: Each state’s 190/491 occupation lists and nomination conditions change frequently. Lodging an EOI based on outdated information can lead to a pointless wait or to being ineligible at the moment of invitation.