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Immigration Daily News DIBP looking to axe salary threshold and language requirements for chefs and cooks
DIBP looking to axe salary threshold and language requirements for chefs and cooks
Under pressure from the hospitality industry which is facing labour shortages in the order of some 56,000 workers, DIBP is finally re-evaluating its position on the salary threshold and language requirements for cooks and chefs.
According to The Australian, DIBP is evaluating an industry request to fast-track thousands of work visas for foreign chefs and cooks as well as review strict language requirements that require workers to have ‘functional English' under the 457 visa.
Speaking to The Australian, Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive John Hart revealed that the hospitality industry wants the review to cover waiters and bar staff, as well as skilled chefs and managers.
The industry is demanding that DIBP tunes into reality and waives the English language requirements and axe the $53,900 minimum salary.
“The reality is that most of the people coming into the business are cooks and chefs and many of the kitchens, especially in the ethnic cuisine, don’t use English at all,’’ he said. “The language of the kitchen is the language of the cuisine. It is not appropriate to set the bar so high where there’s no requirement for English in the workplace, particularly with cooks and chefs.’’ Said Mr Hart.
Hart says the hospitality industry is currently experiencing a shortage of local labour and subsequently needs to recruit up to 3,500 foreign chefs and cooks. According to Hart, ‘functional English’ is not a requirement of the job.
Immigration blog
Hello John
I am pleased to see that you are still very much at the forefront of the hospitality industry development. I remember you from the old Hospitality Educators Association back in the mid nineties.
I attach a recent application that was approved
"My client requests a waiver of the English requirement for this occupation on the basis that it is an exceptional appointment.
A person with similar qualifications and experience can be found to fulfil this position.
Response.
The occupation that is to be filled is that of Cook Specialist Chinese Cuisine.
There are no Registered Training Organisations (RTO) in Perth and as far as I know in Australia who is training Chinese Cooks to Trade Skills Level.
Therefore there are no Australian Permanent Resident graduates that can fulfil this occupation.
Commercial Cooking Graduates from RTO’s are not sufficiently skilled or knowledgeable about Chinese cuisine to assimilate into a Chinese kitchen without undertaking at least six months of intensive cuisine specific training.
It is unlikely that a similar qualified and experienced English speaking Australian Permanent resident Chinese Cook would be available on the open market.
It is also beneficial for the Visa applicant to be fluent in Chinese in order that he may communicate effectively with his peers and to the management.
It is unlikely that Australian Permanent Residents graduates for Commercial Cookery programs even if acceptable skills wise to be trained in Chinese cuisine, they would not fit into a Chinese Kitchen environment as the language and cultural issues would be an impediment to their success as a functioning cook.
It is a fact that Australian (English Speaking) cooks do not seek employment in Asian kitchens due to several factors such as;
• They have not had any training in Asian Cuisine,
• They cannot communicate in a busy Chinese kitchen as many incumbent employees do not speak English.
• All orders from customers for menu items are given in Chinese so a good understanding of the language is necessary.
• They do not understand the culture of Chinese kitchens.
The Occupation for cook requires an AQF Certificate III (or equivalent) or three years of employment experience.
Mr Wang is a qualified and skills assessed Chinese Cook and has ten years of quality training and employment experience that he can bring to the job with his current sponsoring Company
Mr Wang is more than qualified as a Cook on work experience alone and his circumstances do not require him to communicate in English in the workplace as the work he performs is very much “hands on” preparing meal as they are ordered from the service staff.
The occupation of Cook does not specifically require him to train others in the workplace as this is the responsibility of the Chef.
However he will transfer his skill to others by demonstration and will not necessarily require spoken words to get the message across.
Mr Wang will receive induction training from his Chinese (English) Speaking Supervisor in regards to meeting the OH&S requirements and his obligations, rights and responsibilities.
I commend Mr Wang’s application for waiver of English to you as his occupation and nomination is indeed exceptional in so much as that is it is different than the normal application for Cook.
Sincerely
John Pass