Do you like food? Do you like Australia? It’s time to combine both and launch yourself into a growing industry with loads of opportunities.
1. It’s a pathway to permanent residency
Australia is experiencing a skills shortage in the hospitality industry. It’s been a steadily growing sector over the past five years, and now there’s a shortfall of qualified hospitality staff. As a result, roles such as chef, cook, and pastry cook are on the skilled shortages list. Study in Aussie, get qualified and get access to a range of temporary visas, which can be a gateway to PR.
Understand the difference between the short-term skilled occupation list (STSOL), and the medium to long-term strategic skills list (MLTSSL). For PR, focus on a career with a medium to long-term visa. For instance, cooks are short term, and chefs are medium to long term.
2. Australia provides excellent vocational training
From Universities to Polytechnics to TAFE vocational institutes, there is a range of places to get a quality education. Australian qualifications are well respected the world over, with their teaching methods and course frameworks replicated in many other countries. Such a highly valued education increases your employment prospects around the world.
3. The quality of ingredients is amazing
If you’re training to become a chef, you must have a love for food. Australia has some of the best ingredients in the world. Tasmania is known for its incredible gourmet artisan foods, everything from cheese and butter to fudge or meat pies. In South Australia, you’ll find some of the best wine-producing regions in the world, like Hunter Valley, Margaret River, and the Yarra Valley. Spread across this vast country is every cuisine, every flavor and every taste you can imagine.
4. The pay is good
In Australia, there’s a minimum wage. That means that unlike many other countries, you can be guaranteed a minimum salary. There are also overtime rates and holiday pay. As you progress up the ladder and take on more senior roles, your wages increase. For instance, a head chef can expect a salary of around AU$65,000.
5. The career path is varied
While you may train for a certain role, those skills are transferable. Food safety, in particular, can be used across a wide range of roles, from venue management, running conferences or even hotel management. While you study, you will learn elements of other roles too, making your degree versatile and opening up a range of career options.
6. Australian food is unique
Whether you’re cooking yabbies, kangaroo, wattle or quandong, Australia has an amazing variety of food you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Delicious and unique, you’ll be able to hone your skills on ingredients you didn’t even know existed.
7. Australia has some highly rated hospitality schools
As well as courses in general institutions, there are specialized schools too.
- William Angliss Institute in Melbourne
- Le Cordon Bleu in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney
- ICHM (International College of Hotel Management) in Adelaide
- Kenvale College in Sydney
These schools offer a chance to dive into your career with highly specialized training, experienced teachers and hands-on learning that gives exceptional value.
8. You can work while you study
Part of your student visa conditions is the assurance that you can work for up to 20 hours a week legally while studying. This gives you a huge foot in the door for future employment and allows you to hone your skills in the Australian hospitality industry.
9. Australian chefs and restaurants are world-famous
Attica. Quay. Momofuku Seibo. Sepa. Tetsuya’s. Vue de Monde. These names are all world-famous, and for good reason. The food is outstanding, the service world-class, and the possibility of working there could make your resume truly lead the pack.
Then there are the chefs that influence the scene. Neil Perry, Peter Gilmore, Kylie Kwong, Curtis Stone, George Calombaris, Tetsuya Wakuda, Adam Liaw, Stephanie Alexander. The list goes on of notable Aussie chefs that are changing the way we think about food. Even if you don’t end up working with them, you will be influenced by their style and creativity.
10. Fish and chips
One of the finest meals in the entire world is fish and chips, on the beach, with a dollop of tomato sauce. After a day of learning and a busy night shift, sitting on the beach, eating crispy, hot fish and chips, listening to the waves roll in sounds like heaven. You won’t get that anywhere else in the world.
If you are thinking about studying cookery in Australia, start by checking out the schooling options, and the visa requirements. It’s a fantastic, thriving industry that can lead to an exciting career in Australia.
For more great career tips, check out the other blogs on Career Geek.
