This is a worked case study for a Cafe or Restaurant Manager migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 141111. Three pathways are open: Subclass 190, Subclass 491, and Subclass 494.
For visa-by-visa context, see the Cafe or Restaurant Manager pathway guide and the VETASSESS skills assessment guide.
The case profile
Anonymised composite based on real engagements.
- Candidate: 36, Bachelor of Hospitality Management, 12 years experience including 6 years as Restaurant Manager / GM at a 120-cover fine-dining restaurant in the UK (40 staff, AUD 6M annual revenue)
- Family: Spouse + one child under 18
- English: PTE 79+ across all bands
- Pathway A: 190 with NSW or VIC state nomination → PR direct
- Pathway B: 491 with regional state nomination → 191 PR after 3 years
- Pathway C: 494 with a regional restaurant / hotel-restaurant sponsor → 191 PR after 3 years
Pathway A — Subclass 190 (state-nominated PR)
Month-by-month timeline
Months 0-3: VETASSESS skills assessment lodged.
Months 3-6: Skills assessment outcome received. EOI lodged in SkillSelect with state nomination preferences.
Months 6-12: State nomination invitation received. Subclass 190 visa application lodged with family.
Months 12-18: 190 grant typically arrives 6-12 months from lodgement.
Total wall-clock time: 12 to 24 months from start to PR.
Fees (primary + spouse + 1 child)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 190 visa fees (family of 3) | 8,560 |
| State nomination fee (varies) | 200-800 |
| Health, police, English | 1,050 |
| Total applicant-side | ~10,906 - 11,506 |
No employer SAF levy.
Pathway B — Subclass 491 → 191
Fees (primary + spouse + 1 child)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 491 visa fees (family of 3) | 8,560 |
| State nomination fee (varies) | 200-800 |
| Health, police, English | 1,050 |
| 191 visa fees (family of 3) | 1,070 |
| Total applicant-side | ~11,976 - 12,576 |
Total wall-clock time: ~60 months end-to-end.
Pathway C — Subclass 494 → 191
Fees (primary + spouse + 1 child)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 494 visa fees (family of 3) | 9,065 |
| Health, police, English | 1,050 |
| 191 visa fees (family of 3) | 1,070 |
| Total applicant-side | ~12,281 |
Employer SAF levy: AUD 1,200/year (small business — most independent restaurants qualify) or AUD 5,000/year (large business — major restaurant groups). Plus AUD 540 nomination fee.
Total wall-clock time: ~60 months end-to-end.
Side-by-side
| Path | Applicant cost | Employer cost | Wall-clock to PR | VETASSESS required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190 (state-nominated) | AUD ~11,200 | AUD 0 | 12-24 months | Yes |
| 491 → 191 (regional) | AUD ~12,200 | AUD 0 | ~60 months | Yes |
| 494 → 191 (regional employer) | AUD ~12,281 | AUD 6,000-25,540 | ~60 months | Yes |
Things that frequently surprise people
Tourist regions are major employer markets. Tasmania, Margaret River (WA), Hunter Valley (NSW), McLaren Vale / Barossa (SA), Sunshine Coast / Whitsundays (QLD), and Mornington Peninsula / Yarra Valley (VIC) all have strong restaurant / hospitality sponsorship demand.
Small-business SAF rate often applies. Most independent restaurants qualify for the small-business SAF levy rate — meaningful saving for the sponsor.
STSOL means no 189 / 186 DE / 482. 141111 is on STSOL only — those channels are closed.
RSA / RSG / Food Safety Supervisor are mandatory post-arrival. Plan to obtain these state-recognised certifications soon after relocation.
Code matters. ANZSCO 141111 (Cafe / Restaurant Manager) is distinct from 351311 (Chef), 351411 (Cook), and 141311 (Hotel / Motel Manager). Pick the code matching your dominant role.
SAF levy is non-refundable. If the visa is refused or the candidate leaves early, the employer cannot recover the SAF money.
Health examinations expire after 12 months. If your visa takes longer than 12 months to grant, expect to redo them.
Tax residency starts on arrival. The Australian tax year runs 1 July to 30 June. See ATO residency rules before signing.
MARA registration is mandatory for paid migration assistance. Verify any agent at the MARA register.
Tools
- Visa fee calculator — model your specific stream + dependants
- Document checklist — for the VETASSESS and visa stages
- ANZSCO search — confirm 141111 vs 351311 / 351411 / 141311
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of options
- Invitation rounds tracker — for state nomination round context
Where to verify the numbers
Next step
Want to model the cost and timeline against your specific restaurant / cafe management track record and target Australian region? Book a 30-minute free strategy call. We will confirm 141111 is the right code and walk through your VETASSESS readiness.