Working in hospitality in Australia can be a great way to earn a lot of money. Many young people therefore choose to turn to jobs in this industry during their WHV in Australia. But it is important to know some information before starting! We give you here all the keys to find a job and know your rights as an employee in Australia. Nicolas also shares his experience in Noosa, Queensland.
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How to find a job in hospitality in Australia?
There is no miracle way to find a job, whether in Australia or anywhere else. But once there, you will have several methods to find a job in hospitality. In any case, before starting your searches, be sure to have an Australian resume handy.
Door to door
You ll present yourself directly to the restaurant(s) that interest you. Print your resumes in sufficient quantity to go around town. Then go around the restaurants, bars, cafes.
Go there with your best smile and ask to speak to the manager, they need to remember you! The waitress will simply add your resume to the pile they already have (we don’t blame her, it’s just not her role).
Internet searches
In addition to door-to-door, you can check websites such as Gumtree or Seek, Indeed which list many job offers.
You can sometimes also count on fellow travelers through the various Facebook groups “backpackers in Sydney” or “Backpackers in Australia”, etc. They
Word of mouth
Talking about it can also be a great way to find a job in all areas. Talk about it in your hostel, to the people you meet, to the locals you talk to. Aussies are very friendly and won’t hesitate to help you out if they can.
Read also : Find a job in hospitality in Australia
For many of these roles, especially entry-level positions, employers look for candidates with a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and good communication skills rather than extensive experience. Certifications such as a Responsible Service of Alcohol (see below) certificate are required for jobs that involve serving alcohol.
Requirements to work in Hospitality
If you want to work in hospitality in Australia, or more broadly in any establishment that serves alcohol, you will have to get the RSA certificate.
RSA – Compulsory certificate to work in hospitality
The RSA, Responsible Service of Alcohol, proves that you know the regulations relating to the consumption of alcohol in Australia, that you know how to identify inebriated customers, people too young to consume alcohol, etc.
This certificate is obtained following training. It is not valid nationally, it is only valid in the state where you pass it. Count between $50 and $140, as well as about 4 hours to spend it in person or online.
Read also : Get your RSA Certificate in Australia
Get your RSA in Australia and receive Discounts!
Pay less for your RSA course (Responsible Service of Alcohol). With this certificate, you are allowed to work in all places where alcohol is served or sold.
What sort of jobs can you do in hospitality?
The hospitality industry in Australia is vibrant and diverse, offering a wide range of job opportunities for both locals and international visitors, including those on Working Holiday Visas. The industry encompasses hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and tourist attractions, providing numerous roles suited to different skill sets and experience levels. Here are some of the jobs you can do in a restaurant:
Waitstaff/Server
Working as waitstaff involves serving food and beverages to guests in restaurants, cafes, and bars. It requires good communication skills, a friendly demeanor, and the ability to work under pressure during busy periods.
Bartender
Bartenders mix and serve drinks in bars, clubs, and restaurants. They need to have a good knowledge of cocktail recipes, liquor laws, and customer service. Bartenders often work late hours and need to manage a busy bar environment.
In the Kitchen
Chefs and cooks are responsible for preparing meals in restaurants, cafes, and other food establishments. This can range from entry-level positions like line cooks to more advanced roles such as sous chefs or head chefs, depending on experience and qualifications.
Kitchen hands assist in the kitchen with tasks such as washing dishes, preparing ingredients, and cleaning. This entry-level position is a good starting point for those looking to gain experience in the culinary side of hospitality.
Host/Hostess
Hosts or hostesses welcome guests to a restaurant or hotel, manage reservations, and seat guests. This role requires good organizational skills and a friendly attitude.
Barista
Baristas specialize in making coffee and typically work in cafes and coffee shops. This role demands a good understanding of coffee brewing techniques, customer service skills, and sometimes, creativity in latte art.
Working in a restaurant in Noosa (QLD) – Review
My name is Nicolas, I am 32 years old, and I spent my best year in Australia thanks to the Working Holiday Visa. We were determined, my ex-girlfriend and I, to go around the country on a road trip with our van. But for that, we sometimes had to stop and work to be able to finance our adventure. I ended up working in a restaurant in Noosa (Queensland). Here is my experience.
My job at Bistrot C
A friend of mine informed me that they were looking for someone to do the dishes in the restaurant where he worked in Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast (Queensland). I had never worked in this environment. I applied anyway, because I needed to get some money asap.
It was “Bistro C” on Hasting Street, Noosa. It’s a pretty classy restaurant, with varied and really good meals, and a terrace that overlooks Noosa Main Beach.
A week of “training” with my new buddy and work colleague Ace, a super nice Korean, and here I am independent and full of good will, and a nice 6-month contract in my pocket and renewable.
Contract and salary
After my trial, I signed a contract that was limited to 6 months. I worked about 32 hours a week (from 6pm to midnight). At times, I had to do a few hours extra. Overall, I earned about 600 AUD per week (taxes already deducted). On top of that, my girlfriend and I could eat at the restaurant, which was perfect because we didn’t have to spend much money on food.
I always arrived 10 or 15 minutes early. My job was to wash dishes, clean cutlery, kitchen utensils (pans, saucepans, pots, etc.). The restaurant served between 150 and 250 covers per evening, so we had to be quite energetic and efficient. And when the restaurant closed, a big complete cleaning of the kitchen had to be done.
In the first week, I already met all of my colleagues, all of whom were really nice. The multicultural team consisted of a Balinese cook, an Englishman, an American, a Thai, a Korean, an Australian and me. I had never worked with so many people from different countries before.
My skill-set
Gradually, I became more and more confident in my job. As the team and the manager were pretty happy with me, they gave me more and more jobs in addition to the typical tasks of a kitchen assistant (washing dishes and keeping the kitchen clean). So I started to prepare meals, too. I obviously liked that a lot.
Meal preparation takes up a lot of time, which is why they hired another kitchen hand. A 25-year-old Korean, for whom I got the responsibility to train and instruct. After being able to perform all tasks independently, I took over meal preparation completely. It was pretty hectic 1 to 2 hours before the rush at 20 o’clock. I had to chop an awful lot of vegetables and meat and do everything I could to make the chef’s job easier during the rush hour.
Life outside of work
To save money, we slept in our van at a parking lot on the beach. It was out of town though. After a short time, we got a bit of a routine and found out about a few things that really made life better : free Wifi in the library, free showers near Woolworth s and also many great walks in the Noosa National Park.
After 3 months, we got itchy feet again. We wanted to get back on the road and continue our trip. We had saved enough money to not having to work for a long time. With a heavy heart I quit my job. My boss tried to persuade me to stay longer and even offered me the option of a sponsorship – but my decision was made. With great memories, we headed south. I am glad that I applied for this job despite the lack of experience. I had a great time. I learned a lot and made many new friends. This was probably my best backpacker job and I enjoyed working in hospitality.
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