The Boxer MP is stepping up for a new fight – battling the critical shortage of skilled kitchen staff in Australian hospitality businesses.
Hospitality in Australia continues to face pressure in finding, securing and retaining staff, particularly in foodservice roles.
Chefs and cooks consistently appear among the top occupations for primary SID (Skills in Demand) and TSS (Temporary Skills Shortage) visa grants, and the top 15 occupations for these visas in FY24 and FY25 included chefs, increasing by more than 180 per cent.
WEDC is an education, training and immigration company based in Vietnam with skilled workers in hospitality and other sectors from Vietnam and Bali, who want to work in Australia.
The company offers a direct pipeline to industry-trained professionals armed with real commercial kitchen experience, Australian-accredited qualifications and skills independently verified by respected bodies such as the William Angliss Institute and the Trades Recognition Authority (TRA).
Also, candidates are equipped with workplace-focused English skills to ensure they can communicate effectively in fast-paced Australian kitchen environments.
Steve Cansdell – former Australian Light Heavyweight boxing champion (1973–1974) and ex-NSW Parliamentarian (2003–2011), has taken a position with WEDC as manager for the northern regions.
“This is a win for everyone,” he says. “Hotels gain loyal and capable staff, while workers gain meaningful career opportunities and a pathway toward Australian residency.”
WEDC manages the full employment pathway — from assessment and training through to visa sponsorship under Subclasses 482, 494, or 186 — helping employers navigate the process smoothly and compliantly. WEDC uses its own immigration personnel to process visa paperwork, handling all expenses.
Cansdell says employers sponsor employees on a 482 skilled worker visa, which ensures workers are reliant on staying with the business and won’t “do a runner”, and he offers he has job-seekers ready to go.
“At present I have an experienced Vietnamese chef experienced in Aussie pub food, working in Queensland for the past 18 months … and looking for a 482 visa sponsor.”
