Australia’s café and restaurant industry is thriving, with strong demand for experienced managers across the country. If you are planning to migrate to Australia as a Café or Restaurant Manager, a positive skills assessment is a critical step in your PR or work visa journey.

At Apical Immigration Experts, we regularly assist hospitality professionals with VETASSESS skills assessments. Below are practical tips to help you prepare a strong and successful application.

Check Your Eligibility in 60 seconds

Understand the Role Under ANZSCO

Café and Restaurant Manager is an ANZSCO-listed occupation and assessed by VETASSESS. Your job role must match the duties defined under this classification—not just the job title.

Key responsibilities usually include:

  • Planning menus in consultation with chefs
  • Managing budgets, pricing, and purchasing
  • Overseeing daily operations and service quality
  • Ensuring health and safety compliance
  • Managing staff recruitment, training, rosters, and performance
  • Handling customer feedback and improving service standards

If your experience aligns with these tasks on a regular basis, you may be eligible for assessment.

Make Sure Your Workplace Is Eligible

Not all hospitality businesses meet migration criteria. Your experience must come from a venue where food is prepared on-site by a qualified chef.

Businesses that rely mainly on pre-prepared or semi-prepared food usually do not qualify under this occupation.

Fast Food Managers: Know Your Options

Fast food outlets are generally excluded from the Café and Restaurant Manager classification. If you manage a fast food business, you may be better suited to apply under the Retail Manager occupation instead.

Retail Manager duties include:

  • Managing stock and service standards
  • Setting prices and handling budgeting
  • Supervising staff and ensuring workplace safety
  • Promoting goods and services

Choosing the correct occupation is essential for assessment success.

Manager vs Supervisor: Know the Difference

VETASSESS looks for manager-level responsibility, not just supervisory tasks.

A Café or Restaurant Manager is responsible for:

  • Overall business performance
  • Profit and loss targets
  • Staff management and development
  • Operational planning and decision-making

If your role mainly involved assisting the owner or handling limited tasks during busy hours, it may not meet the required skill level.

Provide Clear and Verifiable Evidence

Your documents must clearly explain:

  • Who employed you
  • The trading name of the business
  • Your exact duties
  • Employment dates, hours, and location

If the business operates under a different company name, make sure this is clearly explained. Supporting evidence like menus, photos of the venue, and staff records can strengthen your case.

Reduced Hours Due to COVID-19

If your working hours were affected during the pandemic, this does not automatically disqualify you. VETASSESS assesses such cases individually, provided the situation is clearly documented.

Self-Employed Café or Restaurant Owners

Self-employed applicants can also apply, but the evidence requirements are more detailed. You may need to submit:

  • Business registration documents
  • Accountant or solicitor statements
  • Statutory declarations outlining your duties
  • Financial records showing regular income
  • Supplier contracts, invoices, or client testimonials

Well-organised documentation is especially important for self-employed applicants.

Qualification Requirements

Café and Restaurant Manager is a Skill Level 2 occupation, which generally requires:

  • Diploma
  • Advanced Diploma
  • Associate Degree

In some cases, extensive relevant work experience may help support your application.

How Apical Immigration Experts Can Help

Skills assessments can be complex, and even small mistakes can lead to delays or negative outcomes. At Apical Immigration Experts, we help you:

  • Select the correct occupation
  • Review your documents before submission
  • Align your experience with ANZSCO requirements
  • Improve your chances of a positive VETASSESS outcome

Ready to Start Your Skills Assessment?

If you’re a Café or Restaurant Manager planning to migrate to Australia, expert guidance can make all the difference.

Contact Apical Immigration Experts today for personalised assistance with your skills assessment and migration pathway.