Australian Visa Options For Bakers

Did you know that bakers may be nominated for a skilled baker visa Australia? There are a range of skilled visa options available for bakers, as well as for pastrycooks, which include employer sponsored, state sponsored and a temporary training visa option. Keen to learn more? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we examine how the occupations of baker and pastrycook are classified and defined in Australia for migration purposes and the skilled options for baker immigration Australia, including pathways for baker PR Australia. This includes employer sponsored options which require you to be sponsored for baker immigration Australia.

But before we discuss the potential options for baker immigration Australia, including baker PR in Australia, let us first introduce you to some of the key elements that must be considered when assessing your eligibility for a skilled baker visa Australia.

Important Factors To Consider When Applying For Baker Immigration Australia

Skilled Occupation List

A key component in determining your eligibility for a skilled visa to Australia is based on whether your occupation is included on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the relevant skilled visa being considered. It is important to be aware that each skilled visa subclass is subject to a specified SOL, which is designed to respond to skill shortages in various industries and regions across Australia. As labour markets change, so too do the relevant SOLs to reflect pertaining market conditions. It is therefore vital if you are seeking to apply for a skilled baker visa Australia, that you apply the correct and most up-to-date SOL in assessing your eligibility for baker immigration Australia.

Please note that as of 25 November 2023, there have been changes to occupation requirements for the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa. Occupations are no longer required to be specified in a SOL to be eligible for an ENS visa. Instead, the nominated occupation must be listed in the ANZSCO and the nominated worker must continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visa (ANZSCO 4-digit occupation unit group code).

Targeted Approach

Certain skilled visa options go one step further by targeting skills shortages in certain geographical areas (including in regional Australia). Employers can also sponsor or nominate suitably skilled applicants to fill vacancies in individual businesses, thereby addressing an employer-specific need. An example of this is an employer sponsored Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa for baker immigration Australia.

There are several skilled visa options available for baker immigration Australia, with each one designed to meet a specific purpose. These comprise a state sponsored, regional employer sponsored, regional state sponsored, employer sponsored skilled visa as well as a training visa.

A Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is an example of a regional state sponsored visa.

A regional employer-sponsored baker visa Australia is the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visa.

And a state sponsored baker PR Australia option for baker immigration Australia is the Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa.

Each skilled visa subclass is subject to a prescribed set of visa lodgement and grant requirements, a key part of which is the relevant SOL which prescribes the selected skilled occupations which may be nominated for that visa subclass.

Nominating A Baker On The Skilled Occupation List

Different SOLs apply to each skilled visa subclass. For example, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is a temporary employer sponsored visa, is subject to a Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), a Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and a Regional Occupation List (ROL). The skilled occupation list that applies to an occupation determines whether it may be nominated under the short-term or medium-term stream of the subclass 482 visa program. There is also a labour agreement stream which applies where the sponsoring employer has a labour agreement in place, and that agreement specifies the occupation/s that may be nominated for a TSS visa.

The occupation of baker is included on the STSOL, and so may be nominated by an employer for a TSS visa under the short-term stream. It currently provides a baker PR Australia pathway after two years.

Caveats

Certain occupations that may be nominated for a TSS visa are also subject to a caveat. This means if specified circumstances are present in regard to the position that the employer is seeking to fill, then the occupation is not eligible for nomination. To illustrate, the occupation of baker and pastrycook are included on the STSOL for the subclass 482 visa, and so may be nominated for a TSS visa (under the short-term stream) subject to the following caveats (or conditions):

The nominated position does not relate to mass or standardised production (as opposed to specialist production), including the following:

(a) a position based in a franchise or factory;

(b) a position that:

(i) involves full or partial production of food product for distribution to another location; or

(ii) predominantly involves the use of pre‑prepared food product from another location.

Baker Immigration Australia Under A Labour Agreement

A labour agreement is negotiated between the Australian Government (represented by the Department of Home Affairs) and employers who seek to sponsor overseas workers for their business.

Labour agreements enable approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market and the standard temporary or permanent visa programs are not available (for example, the occupation which the employer is seeking to nominate is not included on the SOL for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa programs).

One of the main benefits of entering into a labour agreement is its flexibility as it enables an employer to negotiate terms that meet the needs of the business (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility). This means that an employer may be able to negotiate certain concessions to the skilled visa criteria that would normally apply under the standard employer sponsored visa grant requirements. This can include requirements relating to English language competency, salary and age thresholds. A labour agreement can also be used to employ overseas workers in new or emerging occupations that are not defined in the ANZSCO.

Under a labour agreement, an employer can sponsor or nominate suitably skilled overseas workers for an employer sponsored skilled visa in accordance with the terms which have been negotiated with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) in the executed labour agreement (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility).

There are five types of Labour Agreements, as listed below:

- Company specific labour agreements

- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

- Project agreements

- Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements

- Industry labour agreements

To learn more about labour agreements, including the different types of labour agreements and how they operate, please refer to our Labour Agreement Visa article.

Skills Assessment

To be deemed ‘suitably qualified’ for a nominated occupation under the skilled visa program, applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess a minimum level of skills, qualifications and/or employment experience as prescribed by the migration provisions for the relevant skilled visa class which is being applied for. This may include the requirement that an applicant obtains a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation (to be completed by a specified skills assessing body). The skills assessment must be within the accepted validity date (which is normally either three years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment).

It must also be the correct type of skills assessment. Applicants must have a skills assessment that meets the requirements for the visa for which they are applying. For example, some assessing authorities offer a provisional skills assessment for recent graduates of Australian educational institutions who are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. A provisional skills assessment issued for this purpose is not a suitable skills assessment for a permanent residence skilled visa application, for example.

Skill Assessments For Bakers

The prescribed skills assessing body for bakers is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). We provide further information about the TRA skills assessment criteria for bakers in our discussion further below in this article.

English Language

English language criteria also apply, which may require applicants to complete a prescribed English language test and achieve a specified minimum test score (there are exemptions in certain cases). Be aware that English test results are valid for a limited period (depending on the class of visa being applied for and the level of English competency required).

What Are The Possible Skilled Visa Options For Baker Immigration Australia, Including Baker PR Australia?

Before we take a detailed look at how the occupation of baker is defined for baker immigration Australia purposes, including what is required to qualify for baker PR in Australia, we begin our discussion with an introduction to the main types of skilled visas that are available for a baker. We also provide links to further information on these visa options at the conclusion of this article.

Training Visa

The Subclass 407 training visa is a temporary sponsored visa which is designed to help you to improve your skills in your current occupation, area of tertiary study, or to participate in a professional development training program in Australia. The subclass 407 visa is not suitable for applicants whose sole purpose is to perform work in Australia but rather, to engage in workplace-based training.

One of the subclass 407 visa requirements is that you need to be sponsored by an Australian organisation or government agency (including a foreign government). You must also be nominated for the subclass 407 visa (unless your sponsor is a Commonwealth Government agency, in which case you will need to be invited in writing). You need to select from one of three nomination types, depending on the purpose or type of training which you seek to undertake. Each nomination type has specified requirements, one of which requires your occupation to be included on a subclass 407 training visa skilled occupation list.

The subclass 407 visa can be granted for a period of up to two years and permits unrestricted travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa. You can also include certain members of your family unit as dependent visa applicants, allowing them to accompany you to Australia.

Nomination Type 2: Occupational Training To Enhance Skills

Nomination type 2 requires the occupational training to be a structured workplace-based training program which is designed to meet your training needs, as the nominee.

The occupation of baker is included on the skilled occupation list for the subclass 407 training visa, which means that as a baker, you may be nominated for this visa provided that you have at least 12 months full-time employment experience as a baker (in the two years immediately before lodgement of the application) to qualify under nomination type 2.

Please note that the subclass 407 visa is a temporary visa only with no direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

To learn more about the subclass 407 training visa program, please see our article on the subclass 407 Training Visa Requirements And Occupations.

General Skilled Migration

The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program offers the following skilled visa options (all of which are points-based) for bakers:

- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa (a permanent residence visa that requires State Sponsorship approval); and

- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

The GSM program operates under an invitation-based system, whereby applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department). Only upon receipt of an invitation can applicants then proceed to apply for the visa itself. Periodically, we publish a summary of the results for invitations issued in the most recent invitation round. We refer you to the latest invitation round results.

Baker PR Australia Visa

Baker PR In Australia Points

The subclass 190 visa grants you immediate permanent residence in Australia. It is a points-tested baker PR in Australia visa, which means that you need to attain at least 65 baker PR Australia points in the migration points test to be eligible. You also need to be nominated by a State or Territory Government to qualify. Note that you will be granted an additional 5 baker PR Australia points on account of the nomination.

Baker PR Australia Pathway Visa

Baker PR In Australia Points

As a baker, you may also be nominated by a State or Territory government agency for a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. This visa is also a points-tested visa. This means that to apply (and qualify for) a subclass 491 visa, you will need to gain at least 65 baker PR in Australia points to be eligible. This visa option grants you an additional 15 baker PR Australia points for the nomination/sponsorship.

Eligible subclass 491 visa holders may qualify for a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years.

The term of the subclass 491 visa is five years. As a subclass 491 visa holder (including any accompanying visa dependents), you must live, work and study only in a designated regional area of Australia.

Subclass 491 visa holders have unrestricted rights to travel to and from Australia during the visa term and are also entitled to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system.

Employer Sponsored Skilled Baker Visa Australia

Bakers may also qualify for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is an employer sponsored temporary visa (under the short-term stream). A TSS baker visa Australia may be granted for up to two years (or up to four years if an International Trade Obligation applies).

As noted earlier in this article, the subclass 482 visa currently provides a pathway to permanent residency (via a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa) after two years.

Employer Sponsored Regional Baker Visa Australia

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa provides bakers with a pathway to permanent residence with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years if you satisfy specified requirements at that time. The term of the subclass 494 visa is five years.

As a SESR visa holder, you will be required to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. You can also travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis over the visa term, and you will be entitled to enrol in Medicare.

How Is The Occupation Of Baker Defined For A Skilled Baker Visa Australia?

For migration law purposes, each nominated occupation is defined based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The ANZSCO occupational classification system provides a general description of each occupation, skill level, registration and/or licensing requirements and the tasks and duties that may be required to be performed as part of each occupation. Each occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code, which is used to identify the occupations that are eligible for a skilled visa for Australia.

The following occupational category for bakers contained in ANZSCO may be nominated for a skilled visa to Australia (classified as a minor group):

- Food Trades Workers (minor group 351).

This minor group is then broken down into unit groups of occupations. The next level below this are specific occupations, which are each identified using an ANZSCO code. Skilled visa eligibility is, in part, based on whether your occupation appears on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the skilled visa that you are seeking to apply for.

Our discussion will follow the ANZSCO structure as we have outlined above. We will start by looking at the minor group listed above. We will then explore the unit groups that make up this minor group. We then conclude with the most important component in this discussion, that being the specific definition of the occupation of a baker that may be nominated for baker immigration Australia.

Minor Group 351 – Food Trades Workers

We begin by examining ANZSCO minor group 351 for Food Trades Workers.

ANZSCO General Description: Food Trades Workers bake bread and pastry goods, prepare meat for sale, and plan, organise, prepare and cook food for dining and catering establishments.

ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with:

- an AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2); or

- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3).

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks include:

- checking the cleanliness and operation of equipment and premises before production runs to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations

- planning menus, estimating food and labour costs, and ordering food supplies

- monitoring quality of food at all stages of preparation and presentation

- preparing meat for sale and baking bread, cakes and pastries

- preparing food and cooking using ovens, hotplates, grills and similar equipment

- portioning food, placing it in dishes, and adding gravies, sauces and garnishes

The 351 minor group comprises the following unit groups:

- 3511 Bakers and Pastrycooks;

- 3512 Butchers and Smallgoods Makers;

- 3513 Chefs;

- 3514 Cooks.

The occupation of baker is included in unit group 3511 Bakers and Pastrycooks.

Unit Group 3511 – Bakers and Pastrycooks

There are two occupations in this unit group with the following elements:

ANZSCO General Description: Bakers and Pastrycooks prepare and bake bread loaves and rolls, buns, cakes, biscuits and pastry goods.

ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3).

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks include:

- checking the cleanliness of equipment and operation of premises before production runs to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations

- checking the quality of raw materials and weighing ingredients

- kneading, maturing, cutting, moulding, mixing and shaping dough and pastry goods

- preparing pastry fillings

- monitoring oven temperatures and product appearance to determine baking times

- coordinating the forming, loading, baking, unloading, de-panning and cooling of batches of bread, rolls and pastry products

- glazing buns and pastries, and decorating cakes with cream and icing

- operating machines which roll and mould dough and cut biscuits

- emptying, cleaning and greasing baking trays, tins and other cooking equipment

Skill assessing authority: TRA

Skilled Occupation List: Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

Skilled Visa Options:

- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa

- Subclass 407 Training visa

- Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Short Term Stream)

- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (State or Territory nominated)

- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (Employer sponsored stream)

Note that to lodge an EOI for a subclass 190 or 491 visa, you must attain at least 65 baker PR in Australia points.

As you can see from the above list of skilled visas, bakers have several options for baker immigration Australia, covering temporary, provisional and a permanent option.

This includes the subclass 190 visa, which is a baker PR Australia visa. It requires a minimum of 65 baker PR in Australia points to qualify. It is a baker PR in Australia option which requires State sponsorship.

The subclass 491 is a provisional baker visa Australia, which provides a pathway to a baker PR in Australia visa. It is also points-tested, requiring you to attain at least 65 baker PR Australia points to qualify. It also required state sponsorship.

The subclass 494 visa is a provisional regional employer sponsored baker immigration Australia visa which provides a pathway to a baker PR in Australia visa, and requires sponsorship by an employer.

A description of the occupations in the Bakers and Pastrycooks ANZSCO group are listed below.

ANZSCO Occupation

ANZSCO code

ANZSCO Description

Baker

Specialisation: Doughmaker

351111

Prepares and bakes bread loaves and rolls.

Pastrycook

Specialisations: Cake Decorator

351112

Prepares and bakes buns, cakes, biscuits and pastry goods.

Skill Assessments For Bakers

As noted in our introduction, the prescribed skills assessing body for bakers is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). It has a number of skills assessment programs, depending on your country of passport, where you studied and the type of visa that you are seeking to apply for. The TRA Pathfinder is a good starting point to determine which skills assessment program to select based on your individual circumstances. Detailed guidelines are also available for each TRA assessment program.

We outline below the criteria for some of the main TRA skills assessment programs.

Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)

A PSA will verify your:

- identity; and

- Australian qualifications.

If your assessment is successful, the outcome letter can be used to apply for a subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa.

To apply for the Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA), you must have:

- a current and valid passport

- an Australian qualification directly relevant to the occupation you are applying for.

This qualification must be from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Before you apply, you should read the PSA Applicant Guidelines and check you can meet the requirements for submitting a decision-ready application.

A successful PSA outcome also means you meet the pre-requisite requirement to participate in the JRP, however, you must apply for the JRP within 3 years from the date of your PSA outcome.

TSS Skills Assessment

The TSS program is for applicants who need a skills assessment as part of their temporary skills shortage (subclass 482) visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.

To qualify for a TSS visa as a baker, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the TRA (unless you are exempt) if you hold a passport from China, Fiji, Hong Kong SAR, India, Macau SAR, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe.

To qualify for a TSS visa as a pastrycook, you must obtain a positive skills assessment (unless you are exempt) from the TRA if you hold a passport from Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong SAR, India, Macau SAR, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe.

The TSS outcome shows if you have the skills and experience needed at the required level to work in Australia in your nominated occupation.

To register for a TSS, you must have the required amount of employment experience in your occupation. Please check the TSS Applicant Guidelines for further information.

Offshore Skills Assessment

The OSAP is for applicants who need a skills assessment as part of their skilled migration visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.

The OSAP outcome shows if you have the skills and experience needed at the required level to work in Australia in your nominated occupation.

To register for OSAP, you must be:

- applying for a skilled migration visa to Australia (excluding 485 or TSS visas)

- working in a nominated occupation and hold a passport from a nominated country or Special Administrative Region (SAR)

You can apply for OSAP as a baker if you hold a passport from China, Fiji, Hong Kong SAR, India, Ireland, Macau SAR, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam or Zimbabwe.

You can apply for OSAP as a pastrycook if you hold a passport from Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong SAR, India, Iran, Ireland, Macau SAR, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam or Zimbabwe.

To register you must have the required amount of employment experience in your occupation. Please check the OSAP Applicant Guidelines.

Migration Skills Assessment

The Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) is for applicants who need a skills assessment as part of their skilled migration visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.

The MSA outcome recognises if you have the skills and experience needed at the required level to work in Australia in your nominated occupation.

You can only use a successful MSA outcome for your visa application to Home Affairs for migration purposes

To apply for MSA, you must:

- have a qualification directly related to your nominated occupation

- have the required amount of directly relevant employment in your occupation

- read the MSA Applicant Guidelines for employment requirements

- have your occupation listed on a skilled occupation list (with TRA listed as the relevant assessing authority).

Please refer to the TRA website for further information.

Get More Information

Skilled Visa Options For Selected Occupations

Please refer to our series of articles on the skilled visa options that are available for selected occupations below:

Visa Options For Professionals

Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia

Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors

Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses

Australian Visa Options For Engineers

Migrate To Australia As A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician

How To Migrate To Australia As A Pig Farmer Or A Senior Piggery Stockperson

Migrate To Australia As A Small Engine Mechanic

Migrate To Australia As A Sandblaster

Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

For further information on the subclass 494 regional employer sponsored visa, please see the following articles:

Skilled Regional Visa Australia

Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme

Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements

Employer Sponsored Visa

To learn more about an employer sponsorship visa, please see the following articles:

Employer Sponsored Visas

Employer Nomination Migration Scheme

Labour Agreement Visa

482 Visa Employer Obligations

457 Visa Replacement

Employer Sponsor Visa Requirements

Changes To 457 Temporary Work Skilled Visa

Business Requirements For Accredited Sponsorship

Self Sponsor Visa Australia

Does 482 Visa Require Skills Assessment

Subclass 482 – A Guide to Temporary Skill Shortage

Permanent Residence Eligibility Extended For Certain Subclass 457 And 482 Visa Holders

How To Sponsor An Employee For A Work Visa Or Permanent Residency

Overview Of Australian Work Visas And Employer Sponsorship

Guide To Australian Sponsorship Visa Costs

How To Become A Sponsor

Labour Market Testing Requirements

Skilled Visa

To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, please see the following articles:

Australian Skilled Migration Visa List

General Skilled Migration Visa Options

SAF Skilling Australians Fund Levy

General Skilled Migration Visa Points

Subclass 491 Regional Visa

Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa

Australian Skilled Occupations List

Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study

State Sponsorship Visas In Australia

South Australia State Sponsorship Opportunities

Skilled Regional Visa Australia

Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme

Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements

Visa Options For Professionals

Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia

English Requirements For Skilled Visas

Adelaide 190 Visa

491 Visa Adelaide

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Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for a skilled baker visa Australia, including baker PR Australia options for baker immigration Australia and to assess your eligibility to migrate to Australia as a baker.

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In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview of the Australian visa options for bakers, including baker PR in Australia for baker immigration Australia. We have also covered the TRA skills assessment requirements to migrate to Australia as a baker, and have provided links to further information so that you can learn more about the bake visa Australia options that are available and the TRA skills assessment criteria.

Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are seeking to migrate to Australia as a baker, as being fully informed will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your case. A migration professional can help you to do this.

For up-to-date advice on the skilled visa options that are available for a baker to migrate to Australia, including baker PR Australia visa options for baker immigration Australia, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.