Southern Academy of Business and Technology(SABT)

Cookery skill assessment requirements for Cooks and Chef 

Are you interested in working as a chef in Australia? Because now could be the ideal time! Discover more about Chef skills assessment Australia. Chefs and cooks are in high demand in Australia’s hospitality industry, which is suffering from critical skill shortages. Furthermore, many Australian states have skilled visa pathways for chefs. The skilled visa process for a chef is described below. 

To work as a chef in Australia, you must first pass a skills assessment for cook requirements. All skilled visa applicants must have their skills evaluated in order to meet Australian standards. 

The evaluation is divided into two parts. 

  • Document review entails providing proof of training, paid employment, and detailed references. 
  • Technical interview – an online interview with an Australian assessor. 

 

PROCESS FOR COOK SKILLS ASSESSMENT AUSTRALIA  

If you are a Chef moving to Australia, you must complete the mandatory Chef skills assessment as part of your visa application. 351311 is the Chef ANZSCO Code.  

After passing the skill assessment for the chef, you will receive your Australian Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery. This will be extremely useful for finding work once you arrive in Australia.  

  

Documentary Evaluation for Australia’s Chef   

This is where you will need to provide as much information and documentation of your previous work experience as a Chef as possible.  

If you have trade-related qualifications, you will be required to demonstrate a minimum of three years of relevant experience.  

If you lack trade-related qualifications, you will be required to demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of work experience.  

You must also demonstrate that you have worked as a Chef for at least 12 months out of the last 36 months.  

There will be a list of required documentation and a list of useful documentation that you can include in your application. You will also need to provide the contact information for one or two work referees who can confirm your industry skills.  

 

Technical Interview for Australia Chef Skills Assessment  

After reviewing your information and supporting documentation, an assessor will start to match your skills to the units and subjects for the Chef Australian qualification.  

Your previous experience as a chef will be covered in an online technical interview with the assessor. To confirm and identify your current skills, you will be asked questions about the industry.  

 

COOKS IN AUSTRALIA 

Cooks will need to concoct, season, and cook food in eating and catering institutions. 

Some responsibilities include inspecting products to ensure quality and regulating the temperatures of ovens, grills, and other cooking equipment. You’ll be preparing and cooking food, as well as flavoring it while it’s cooking. It is necessary to distribute food, arrange it on plates, and add gravies, sauces, and garnishes.

Additionally, food is packed in temperature-controlled facilities, and food is prepared to meet special nutritional requirements. You could plan menus and estimate food needs; you could possibly train other kitchen staff and apprentices. 

 

Learn More about the Assessment for Chefs and Cooks 

In order to work as a Chef or Cook in Australia, you must be able to prove your education and experience. 

Chefs are currently listed on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), while Cooks are listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List, both of which are on the list of eligible skilled occupations (STSOL). There is a restriction on both of these occupational classifications that leave out jobs; 

  • Takeout or fast-food services 
  • fast restaurants 
  • establishments that serve alcohol but have limited food options 
  • limited-service cafes, such as coffee shops and mall cafes, but not only. 
  • pizza joints with a limited menu 

Candidates who satisfy the skills requirements for Chef have a pathway to permanent residency; however, as a result of recent changes to Australia’s immigration laws, candidates who satisfy the requirements for Cook no longer have such a pathway. Assuming they meet all the requirements, cooks can still work in Australia on a TSS Visa. 

To become a chef, you must first achieve skill Level 2 under the ANZSCO classification, which requires the following:  

  • Certificate III and IV in Commercial Cookery, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality  
  • Be in a supervisory position for at least three years.  

  

To become a Cook, you must achieve skill level 3 according to the ANZSCO classification, which requires:  

  • Three years of experience as an apprentice in a formal cooking program (Certificate III & IV Commercial Cookery) or;  
  • Three years of full-time training and employment as a cook  

 

An Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma or higher qualification is required for entry into the Cook and Chef occupations. 

The following are the Australian Standard Classification Requirements: 

  • Prepares, cooks, and seasons foods in restaurants and catering.

 

Skill Level: The Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate III or higher qualification is required for entry into the cook occupation. A Cook must have successfully completed a formal apprenticeship. If no formal apprenticeship contract exists, a three-year vocational training period must be documented. 

The tasks are:  

  • inspects food for quality control  
  • monitors temperatures of cooking equipment such as ovens, grills, etc. 
  • prepares food for cooking and cooks’ food  
  • seasons food appropriately while cooking  
  • portioning food into appropriate serving sizes, plating it, adding gravies or sauces, and garnishing
  • stores food in appropriate temperature-controlled facilities  
  • may plan menus and estimate food requirements for orders and inventory 

 

Chef 

  • Is in charge of planning and organising the preparation and cooking of food in catering establishments or dining establishments.

Skill Level: An Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma or higher qualification is required for entry into this nominated occupation. 

Chefs must have proof of an apprenticeship as a Cook or three years of experience as a Chef. 

In all cases, relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualifications listed. 

 The tasks are: 

  • in collaboration with the Head Chef, plans menus for the establishment and estimates food and labour costs.
  • monitors the activities of cooks and assistants, implements staff rosters, and supervises the activities of cooks and assistants
  • consults with staff members, dietitians, and managers about food preparation issues
  • orders food, kitchen supplies, and equipment
  • demonstrates proper cooking procedures to cooks and advises them on proper preparation techniques
  • cooks, seasoning, and prepares food
  • divides food into appropriate servings and adds gravies, sauces, and garnishes
  • explains, monitors, and enforces sanitation regulations
  • has the authority to hire and train employees
  • may freeze and preserve foods as needed

 

Commercial Cookery 

List of Strategic Skills for the Medium and Long Term (MLTSSL) 

Being a chef can be a very rewarding career that provides skills that can be used all over the world in a variety of situations. 

Australia has a vibrant food culture that is influenced by various multicultural influences. Because of the high industry standards and high-quality products used by Australian chefs, it is an excellent place to work as a chef. 

Students will learn how to motivate and lead kitchen teams, identify and evaluate operational and service issues, plan food production, schedule workflow, and understand legal compliance issues, as well as plan, prepare, and cost their own menu. 

After finishing your studies, you could work as a Chef de Cuisine (Head Chef or First Chef), Sous Chef (also known as Second Chef, as they are second in command), or Chef de Partie (also known as a Demi Chef, they are in charge of a certain section of the kitchen). 

The course includes: 

  • Create dishes with meat, poultry, and seafood. 
  • Make stocks, soups, and sauces. 
  • Keep perishable items in good condition. 
  • Learn proper food handling techniques. 
  • Prepare food to meet dietary restrictions. 
  • Maintain financial control within the constraints of a budget. 
  • Implement and monitor the environmentally friendly workplace practises. 
  • Make menus for a variety of occasions  

 

Which are the three types of Commercial Cooking?   

Cooking techniques are classified into three types:  

  • Methods of dry heating (may or may not include food preparation with fat)  
  • Methods of moist heat  
  • Methods involving the use of both dry and moist heat  

 

What are the best Commercial Cookery Courses in Australia?  

Education providers offer commercial cooking courses to help international students realise their dreams: 

 

SIT40516 CERTIFICATE IV IN COMMERCIAL COOKERY 

The Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery will prepare you to work as a Chef in an industrial kitchen at a restaurant, hotel, club, pub, cafe, or coffee shop. It is a nationally accredited programme. 

 

SIT30816 CERTIFICATE III IN COMMERCIAL COOKERY 

The Certificate III in Commercial Cookery prepares you for a career as a Head Chef or Sous Chef by providing you with the necessary skills and knowledge. You will also learn how to work effectively in the kitchen while maintaining food quality and safety regulations. You’ll learn how to manage people and business operations, create menus, and prepare delectable dishes for paying customers. 

 

SIT50416 DIPLOMA IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT (COMMERCIAL COOKERY STREAM) 

The Diploma of Hospitality Management course in the commercial cookery stream is best suited to students who already hold a Certificate III or Certificate IV in commercial cookery. The course is an excellent way for professionals pursuing career advancement to broaden their knowledge and skills in a variety of hospitality operations. 

SIT40521 CERTIFICATE IV IN KITCHEN MANAGEMENT 

Certificate IV in kitchen management will prepare you to lead the kitchen role in organizations such as restaurants, hotels, clubs, pubs, cafes and coffee shops or to run a small business in these sectors. This nationally accredited course will teach an individual to use discretion to solve non-routine problems.

 

What is the process for evaluating the skills of an Australian Chef? 

Consider the Chef skills assessment to be a two-stage process. You must demonstrate to the assessor that you have the necessary skills as a Chef. 

The first stage is paper based, with you proving your Chef status with payslips, a detailed CV, references, videos, photos, and qualifications. This is known as the Chef skills assessment documentary assessment. 

The second stage is a technical interview with an Australian qualified Chef who is also a qualified trainer and assessor. This is a casual conversation via Skype or Zoom with one of our Australian Chef Assessors. 

 

Why is a Chef skills assessment required? 

To apply for an Australian visa, you must first undergo a cook skill assessment requirements. This is how Australian Immigration will know if you are, in fact, a Chef under Australian law. 

Many people want to work as a chef in Australia, and without meeting a requirements for chef skill assessment provided by an approved assessing body, Australian immigration has no way of determining whether a migrant has the necessary skills. 

To migrating to australia as a Chef, you must first pass the Chef skill assessment requirements for a skilled visa. 

 

How long will your Australian Chef skills evaluation last? 

Your TRA Australian Chef skills assessment is valid for three years from the date it was issued. This means you must have your invitation to apply for the visa within three years of completing your skills assessment. 

Your Australian commercial cookery certificate IV has no expiration date. 

 

What will I receive if I pass the Australian Chef skills assessment? 

When you successfully complete your Australian Chef skills assessment, you will receive your TRA skills assessment, which is required for a skilled visa to Australia, as well as your Australian Certificate IV in commercial cooking.