Hospitality jobs — Australia
The hospitality industry, which covers hotel managers, Waitress Jobs, Waiter Jobs, bartenders, chef jobs, kitchen staff, and hotel jobs in Australia, has been growing fast, particularly in state capitals like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It now accounts for one in 20 jobs in Australia, employing half a million people, making it a very attractive option for working holidaymakers. The industry also provides excellent opportunities for part-time and casual employment, which are highly suitable for those on a working holiday.
Most hospitality jobs like Bar Jobs and Waitress and Waiter Jobs in Australia do not require formal qualifications (apart from chef jobs and managerial positions), although many employers will be looking to hire staff with relevant experience so make sure your resume is up-to-date and includes references.
If you are still overseas it is a good idea to apply to Recruitment Agencies and Jobs ideally a month before you arrive until after you arrive.
What types of hospitality jobs in Australia are there?
There is a huge range of jobs in the Australian hospitality industry in venues ranging from bars, restaurants and boutique hotels to multi-national hotels and entertainment venues like stadiums and theatres. Most backpackers work as bartenders or waitstaff, but there are is a wide range of hospitality jobs available in casual, permanent part-time, or full-time roles, such as:
- Bartenders and bar jobs in Australia in hotels, bars, café’s and nightclubs
- Waiter/waitress jobs in restaurants and hotels
- Food preparation and service staff
- Function and corporate boardroom waitstaff
- Chef jobs — head chefs, sous chefs, chefs de partie etc
- Baristas
- Sommeliers
- Butlers, concierge, valet, and customer service roles
- roles
A lot of hospitality jobs, especially casual jobs, require you to work shifts ranging from three hours to seven or eight hours (or more). If you are a casual employee, you will work for an hourly rate. This can be a great way to earn money quickly because you can do plenty of hours/week and the hourly rate paid is higher then full time work.
Where should I go if I want to work in hospitality in Australia?
Bars, cafes, hotels and restaurants
The majority of hospitality jobs are in the capital cities with Sydney and Melbourne being the biggest hospitality centres. This is primarily because these cities are where most of the bar jobs, restaurants, hotels and venues are located and the cities with the biggest populations. The State of Queensland also has an abundance of hospitality employment from Cairns to the Gold Coast.
Sports and entertainment venues
Sydney and Melbourne also have a lot of major sport and entertainment venues which often require food and beverage staff for sporting events like Australian football, rugby league, cricket or rugby union matches and events like concerts and festivals. Working at these venues means that you get free entry and can sometimes watch some of the events or sporting matches.
Major sport and entertainment venues in Sydney:
- Sydney Football Stadium
- Sydney Cricket Ground
- Telstra Stadium (in Sydney Olympic Park)
- Sydney Entertainment Centre
Major sport and entertainment venues in Melbourne:
- Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Vodafone Arena
- Telstra Dome
- Waverley Park
There are also large sporting and entertainment venues requiring hospitality staff in other capital cities such as Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Generally, the recruitment of staff for these venues is outsourced to recruitment agencies.
If you are still overseas it is a good idea to apply to Recruitment Agencies and Jobs ideally one month before you arrive and after you have arrived.
There is also a large gaming industry in Australia and jobs are available in betting centres, casinos and member clubs.
Hospitality work on Australian islands/holiday resorts
There are island and coastal holiday resorts in Australia, such as the Whitsundays off the coast of Queensland, that constantly require workers in tourism and hospitality. Travellers looking for work on the islands will find that wait persons, bar jobs, cleaners, chef jobs, dive instructors, kitchen staff, sailing hosts, lifeguards and tour operators are always in demand. Although holding a hospitality operations or retail certificate helps, there are a number of specific island jobs that don't need qualifications.
Employment rates on the Whitsunday mainland are high, and there is a good chance that travellers holding a current working holiday visa will either find full-time, part-time or casual work quite easily.
When is there hospitality work available?
Although hospitality work is steadily available all year round (particularly in the capital cities), casual job opportunities definitely increase from September/October until January, mainly due to the Christmas/New Year period and summer holidays. During this busier time of year, casual workers usually operate on a rostered or ‘on-call’ basis.
What do hospitality jobs in Australia pay?
Casual rates
Unlike some countries, casual hospitality jobs in Australia pay a good base wage and sometimes include tips on top of this.
If you are a casual you will be paid an hourly rate that will obviously vary between employers. Hourly hospitality base rates for adult casuals are usually $15-$20 per hour. You will normally get paid extra for working overtime/late nights and possibly ‘time-and-a-half’ or ‘double time’ on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
There is no compulsory tipping or built-in service charges in Australia, although tipping for good service is becoming more common in restaurants in the bigger cities. Satisfied customers will leave around 10% of the bill, or more. In bars, tipping is less common but customers will often leave small change. Tips are often pooled amongst staff.
Permanent part-time
Some jobs are offered on a permanent part-time basis, which means that you work regular hours and shifts but still get paid an hourly rate. Permanent part-time staff are entitled to holiday and sick pay, so their hourly rate is slightly reduced.
Full-time wages
These ranges are estimates of average yearly salaries and should only be used as a guide.
| Food and beverage attendant | $15,000-$30,000 |
| Food and beverage supervisor | $25,000-$40,000 |
| Hotel Duty Manager | $40,000-$50,000+ |
| Concierge | from $35,000 |
| Housekeeper | $15,000-$25,000 |
| Qualified head chef/cook | $49,000-$60,000+ |
| Sous chef | $40,000-$45,000 |
| Kitchen chef | $30,000-$40,000 |
Getting your RSA — Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate
The RSA certificate is a one-day course that should be completed if you intend to work in a job in Australia that involves serving alcohol (including in a bottleshop). While it is not compulsory in all states, it is definitely considered best practice and many employers will require you to complete the course before commencing employment.
What does the course involve and what does it cost?
The RSA course teaches you skills and knowledge required to responsibly serve alcohol in licensed premises. It involves a written test and certificates are usually provided on the same day. It costs around AU$75-$95. Some courses are offered as an extra component in a longer bar course.
Choosing an RSA course provider
Each state has it's own liquor legislation and it's own RSA accreditation particular to that state. This means you may need to get more than one certificate if you hope to work in different states.
To find an accredited course provider or to find out more about the RSA regulations in each state, visit the links below:
How do I get a hospitality job in Australia?
- Apply to jobs on Jobaroo within a month of your arrival in Australia
- It’s best to get your visa sorted ASAP
- Register with hospitality recruitment agencies within a couple of months of your arrival.
Ensure your latest CV is uploaded to your Jobaroo profile!
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