Kitchen Hand Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship

Dream of funding your Australian adventure while securing a second year in the country? A kitchen hand role in Berrimah is your perfect start. Earn a steady $18 per hour with day shifts that leave your afternoons free, all while completing the essential work needed for your 417 visa extension. This is more than a job; it’s your ticket to exploring the unique Northern Territory.

Australia remains a premier destination for individuals on a Working Holiday, offering abundant short-term employment opportunities. Within the hospitality sector, Kitchen Hand positions are among the most accessible and beginner-friendly roles. These jobs provide a reliable income and, crucially, can help participants qualify for a second-year extension of their Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417), making them highly popular with international applicants.

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Understanding the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

The Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa permits individuals aged 18 to 30 (or 35 for citizens of certain eligible countries) to live and work in Australia temporarily, fostering cultural exchange and addressing seasonal labor needs.

• First-Year Visa: Valid for 12 months.
• Second-Year Visa: Requires completion of 88 days of specified work (often in regional areas) in eligible sectors like hospitality, agriculture, or construction.
• Third-Year Visa: Requires an additional 6 months of specified work during the second year.

Kitchen hand roles in designated regional areas, such as the Northern Territory (NT), typically count toward this specified work requirement, making them a strategic choice for visa extension.

Read Also: Top Food Counter Attendant Jobs in Australia 

Details of Kitchen Hand Jobs in Australia

Key Points

• Job Title: Kitchen Hand / Kitchen Assistant
• Location: Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia
• Expected Salary: AUD $18 per hour (weekly payments; penalty rates may apply for early shifts)
• Contract Duration: 1 year (temporary, with potential for renewal based on performance and employer needs)
• Working Hours: 8 hours per day, 5 days per week
• Shift Schedule: Monday to Friday, 5:00 AM–11:30 AM
• Visa Sponsorship: Yes eligible to work for a second-year working holiday visa extension.

Jobs Eligibility & Requirements for Kitchen Hand

While this is an entry-level role, candidates generally need to meet the following criteria:

1. Prior experience (6-12 months) in a hospitality or kitchen environment is highly preferred.
2. Must meet the age requirement for the Subclass 417 Visa (typically 18-30).
3. Basic to intermediate English communication skills.
4. Willingness to work early morning shifts and occasional overtime.
5. Physical fitness to handle a fast-paced environment, including standing for long periods and lifting items.
6. Strong focus on cleanliness, hygiene, and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities of Kitchen Hand Jobs in Australia

As a kitchen hand, you will provide essential support to chefs and cooks, ensuring kitchen operations run smoothly and hygienically. Core duties include:

• Assisting with basic food prep (washing, peeling, and cutting ingredients).
• Washing dishes, pots, pans, and utensils; maintaining cleanliness of kitchen equipment.
• Performing general cleaning tasks: wiping down surfaces, mopping floors, and sanitizing work areas.
• Organizing and cleaning refrigerators, freezers, and pantry storage.
• Managing garbage disposal and cleaning bins.
• Assisting with receiving, unpacking, and storing food deliveries.
• Helping with simple food plating or preparation as directed.
• Monitoring and minimizing food waste through proper storage practices.
• Completing end-of-day cleaning to prepare the kitchen for the next shift.

This role is a foundational step into Australia’s hospitality industry, emphasizing teamwork, stamina, and attention to detail.

Benefits & Perks

Working as a kitchen hand in regional Australia offers significant advantages:

• Visa Pathway: Eligible specified work for your second-year visa extension.
• Stable Income: Weekly payments at an hourly rate, with potential penalty rates for early shifts.
• Work-Life Balance: Daytime shifts typically allow for free evenings.
• Industry Footing: Gain valuable experience that can lead to advanced roles like cook, chef assistant, or front-of-house positions.
• Professional Networking: Connect with experienced chefs and hospitality managers.
• Regional Living: Experience a more affordable lifestyle and authentic Australian community in the Northern Territory.
• Cultural Exchange: Immerse yourself in Australia’s diverse society and stunning natural environment.

Why Choose Berrimah, Northern Territory?

Selecting a regional area like the NT is strategically beneficial for Working Holiday Makers:

• Visa Eligibility: Work performed here directly counts toward the 88-day requirement for your visa extension.
• High Demand: Hospitality venues in regional areas often have a consistent need for staff and may offer more straightforward sponsorship pathways.
• Lower Cost of Living: Generally more affordable than major metropolitan cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
• Unique Experience: Live close to iconic Australian landscapes, including national parks, outback regions, and rich Indigenous cultural sites.

Recruitment Agencies & Job Search Resources

1. Frontline Hospitality Recruitment specializes in hospitality placements across Australia (restaurants, cafes, pubs, and hotels) and can connect you with employers hiring kitchen staff.
2. DKP Recruitment (Hospitality) is a boutique agency focusing on hospitality roles, including kitchen and back‑of‑house staff.
3. Adecco Australia (Hospitality) Large staffing network that recruits for hospitality roles (kitchen, front‑of‑house) and can help with placements that may lead to sponsorship
4. INAC Hospitality is a national hospitality agency placing kitchen hands and related roles in cafes, events, and hotels across major cities and regions.
5. General Job Boards –
   • Seek Australia has hundreds of kitchen hand job listings with visa sponsorship opportunities.
   • Indeed, Australia also lists kitchen and hospitality jobs tagged with visa sponsorship.
6. Other Recruiters (less direct) Omni Recruit and other hospitality staffing firms can help match your experience with roles that might lead to employer sponsorship.

Visa Types That Employers Use for Sponsorship

1. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482
   • The most common sponsorship route for kitchen and hospitality roles where employers can sponsor overseas workers if local labor isn’t available.
2. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 494
   • For regional employers filling roles in areas with labor shortages.
3. Working Holiday Visas (Subclass 417/462)
   • Not formal sponsorship, but can be used to get in‑country experience and later convert to employer‑sponsored visas if you secure a job.

3. Employer & Recruitment Requirements (Ordered)

1. Job Offer from an Approved Sponsor
   • Must have a formal job offer from an Australian business that is listed as an approved sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs.
2. Standard Business Sponsor Status
   • The employer must be registered as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) to sponsor visa workers.
3. Labour Market Testing (LMT)
   • Employers generally must demonstrate they advertised the role locally (e.g., on Seek/Indeed) before sponsoring a foreign worker.
4. Relevant Skills or Experience
   • Kitchen hand jobs often require basic hospitality experience, food handling knowledge, and sometimes a year or more in a kitchen environment.
5. English Proficiency
   • Basic English is typically required; some employers may request a language test score depending on visa type.

4. Visa Application Essentials (Ordered)

1. Valid Passport – Must be valid for the duration of your visa processing and entry.
2. Signed job offer/employment contract from the sponsoring employer.
3. Employer Nomination Evidence – Employer nomination or sponsor paperwork submitted to the Department of Home Affairs.
4. Proof of Experience: References or CV showing relevant kitchen work history.
5. Police Clearance / Character Checks: Clean background requirement.
6. Health Examination May be requested by immigration authorities.
7. English Language Evidence (if required) Especially for longer‑term visas like 482.

How to Apply for Kitchen Hand Jobs in Australia

Follow these steps to secure a kitchen hand position with visa sponsorship:

1. Prepare Your Documents: Update your CV/resume to highlight any relevant experience in cleaning, teamwork, or hospitality. Ensure your passport and current visa details are accessible.
2. Search for Opportunities: Use Australian job portals like Seek, Indeed, Jora, or Workforce Australia. Filter searches for “Kitchen Hand” roles in “Northern Territory” or “Berrimah.”
3. Apply Directly: Many employers, including pubs, hotels, and cafes, advertise directly. You can also research businesses in the Berrimah area and send speculative applications.
4. Prepare for Interview: If shortlisted, be ready for a phone or video interview. Emphasize your reliability, willingness to learn, and understanding of the visa-related work requirements.
5. Accept Offer & Confirm Sponsorship: Upon receiving a job offer, ensure the employer confirms in writing that the role qualifies for specified work and understand any support they provide for your visa extension process.

Conclusion:

A kitchen hand position in Berrimah, Northern Territory, represents a strategic and accessible opportunity for working holiday visa holders. It successfully combines immediate employment with the crucial long-term benefit of qualifying for a visa extension.

The role offers a fair wage, a manageable schedule, and invaluable entry into the Australian hospitality sector, making it an optimal choice for those looking to build both their resume and their Australian adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions