For many Chefs seeking sponsorship under the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa, a skills assessment is required before a valid visa application can be lodged.

When is a Skills Assessment required?
Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is a trade occupation. Applicants who hold a passport from one of
the specified countries will be required to undertake a mandatory skills assessment.

The specified countries include:
• Bangladesh
• Brazil
• China
• Fiji
• Hong Kong
• India
• Macau
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Zimbabwe

When a mandatory skills assessment applies, the applicant must have commenced the assessment before lodging the subclass 482 visa application.

Assessing Authority
The relevant skills assessing authority is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).

TRA has its own requirements for assessing an applicant’s qualifications and employment experience. These requirements should be considered separately from the subclass 482 visa requirements.

The Temporary Skills Shortage Assessment Program
For Chefs applying for the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa, the relevant assessment is conducted by TRA under its TSS Skills Assessment Program.

There are two assessment pathways:
• Pathway 1: applies to applicants who do not hold a relevant Australian qualification in the trade.
• Pathway 2: applies to applicants who hold a relevant Australian qualification or an applicable Australian occupational licence.

The assessment is undertaken through a TRA approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The RTO will assess the applicant’s qualifications, employment history, and
supporting evidence.
An applicant who successfully completes Pathway 1 may be awarded the relevant Australian VET qualification.

Qualifications and Experience
Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have the relevant qualifications and work experience to perform the nominated occupation.

Relevant qualifications may include a Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery, Kitchen Management or Hospitality. Overseas qualifications may also be accepted, subject to the requirements of the TRA assessment process.

The assessment process is intended to confirm whether the applicant’s overseas qualifications, training and employment experience are comparable to the Australian
standards for the nominated occupation.

TRA will assess the applicant’s qualifications and employment experience through the 2
Stage Assessment, which consists of:

• Stage 1: Documentary Evidence Assessment – Applicants must provide evidence of at least three (3) years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) employment at the skilled
level, relevant qualifications and evidence that they have worked in their nominated
occupation for at least twelve (12) months within the past three (3) years.
• Stage 2: Technical Interview – Applicants will participate in a technical interview conducted by a TRA assessor. The assessor will ask a range of questions to assess the
applicant’s skills, knowledge, and practical understanding of the requirements of the
nominated occupation. The interview is conducted entirely in English, and interpreters are not permitted.

Processing Time
TRA advises that the skills assessment process under the Temporary Skills Shortage Assessment Program generally takes approximately nine (9) weeks from the date the
applicant submits all required documentary evidence to the RTO.

Applicants and Sponsors should consider this timeframe when planning the nomination and visa application process. The timing of Labour Market Testing (LMT) is also important, as the LMT requirements must be satisfied before the nomination can be lodged.

How can RSG Group assist?
The skills assessment plays an important role as part of a Subclass 482 application for a Chef, particularly where the applicant holds a passport from a specified country.
RSG Group can assist employers and applicants in determining whether a mandatory skills assessment is required, identifying the appropriate TRA assessment pathway and preparing for the nomination and visa application process.