The Australian Immigration Department is re-evaluating the 457 visas that would fast-track thousands more foreign chefs and cooks on temporary work visas.
The department is also looking at lowering the existing requirement for 457 visa workers to have “functional ¬English” and extending 457 visas to cover waiters and bar staff.
Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive John Hart said the hospitality industry wants the agreement to extend 457 visas to cover waiters and bar staff, as well as skilled chefs and managers.
The industry also wants to get rid of the $53,900 minimum salary. He said foreign workers should be paid the same award rates as Australian staff.
And he said kitchen staff did not need to speak English.