Working in hospitality is one of the best ways for backpackers and Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holders to earn money in Australia. It’s flexible, easy to access, and often a lot of fun!
Here’s everything you need to know about finding a hospitality job in Australia: requirements, where to look, salaries, and tips to land a job fast.
Table of Contents
Essential Steps to Start Your Hospitality Job
Get your RSA Certificate
To work in any establishment serving alcohol, you’ll need the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate. Note that this certificate’s validity is state-specific. The cost ranges from $50 to $140, varying by state. Remember, each state has its unique RSA regulations!
🍹 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.
Additional Training
Barista course
For Australians, coffee is a religion! So much so, in fact, that there’s a training course dedicated to these little roasted beans: barista training! In fact, there are not one but two courses: one is non-accredited, while the other is nationally recognised.
Barista Coffee Course – Overview – $195
The Barista Coffee Course is a basic 1-day course running from 9:00am to 4:30pm. You will learn how to make frothed milk, espresso and all the basic types of coffee, as well as how to clean and maintain a coffee machine. This course is available in cities such as Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle, etc with Australian Barista School.
Barista Master Class – Overview – $295
The Barista Master Class is a 2-day course running from 9:00am to 4:30pm. You’ll receive a nationally recognised certificate validating a number of skills, including “preparing and serving espresso coffee” and “using hygienic practices for food safety”.
☕️ Barista course in Australia with discounts
Pay less for your Barista course. To work in a café, a bakery, or a chain like Gloria Jeans, Starbucks Coffee, etc., you will need to master all types of coffee!
Bartending course
Are you a friendly and outgoing person who likes serving people? Then complete a bartending training! You will learn how to prepare, dose and serve different types of alcoholic and soft beverages for bar-goers. Again this training is not mandatory but a plus in your job search in this field.
Skills required to work in hospitality
Although previous catering experience can be an asset, many establishments are willing to train motivated candidates with a good attitude. Key skills include:
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Flexibility and availability to work evenings and weekends.
How to Find a Job in Hospitality
👣 Walk in and apply
The best way to get a job in hospitality is walking around with copies of your resume.
Hospitality is an industry where the customer relationship is what is most important. Customer satisfaction is the key to success in this industry. So remember to highlight in your resume what closely or remotely resembles experience in customer-related jobs, your ability to adapt, motivation, ease of learning quickly…
Arm yourself with resumes and explore the city. Personal interactions can make a significant difference. Look out for ‘help wanted’ signs and engage directly with managers or owners.
As in all human relationships, initial contact is essential. This is THE time to sell yourself. Try to strike up a conversation and get as much information as possible. Ask if they are currently recruiting and, if so, for what type of position and for how many hours a week. The simple fact of asking these questions shows your motivation.
In the catering industry, it is often necessary to do a trial period of a few hours. You will have to demonstrate your skills to the employer under the supervision of another employee.
💻 Job websites
In addition to door-to-door, you can consult websites such as Gumtree or Seek, Indeed, which list many job offers. Keep in mind that these are positions where human contact remains essential, and a good first impression is important! Remember: First come, first-served. So make sure that you check the ads on those websites regularly.
📱 Leveraging Social Media and Employment Agencies
Very common in large towns are employment agencies. You may need to go there every day to find out about new job offers as soon as they are put up. You usually register in their database and provide a CV.
Here is a list of the most popular agencies for backpackers:
www.jobaroo.com
www.skillhire.com.au
You can sometimes also count on the solidarity of our fellow travellers through Facebook groups such as “backpackers in Sydney” (obviously varies according to the city where you are) or “backpacker in Australia”. Sometimes kind souls post ads when the company they work for is hiring. But again, it’s a bit up to whoever is lucky enough to see the ad first.
Stay motivated, keep making an effort, and in particular, meet people, let them know you are looking for a job. Word of mouth is always effective in Australia!
Read also : How to get a Hospitality job in Australia
🏨 Hostel noticeboards
Local listings are updated daily – check the board in your hostel or visit the ones around you.
💡 Tips to Get Hired Faster
- Practice your spoken English — basic customer service skills are essential
- Smile and show a good attitude — personality matters!
- Be available on nights, weekends and holidays
- Tailor your CV to each job and highlight hospitality or customer service experience
- Ask around — many jobs are filled by word of mouth.
Most Common Hospitality Jobs
Here are the most common positions for backpackers:
| Position | Description | Average Pay (AUD/hr) |
|---|
| Waiter/Waitress | Taking orders, serving food | $25 – $35 |
| Bar Staff | Serving drinks, making cocktails | $25 – $40 (+ tips) |
| Kitchen Hand | Dishwashing, food prep | $25 – $30 |
| Barista | Making coffee, customer service | $25 – $35 |
| Host/Hostess | Welcoming guests, managing tables | $25 – $32 |
| Cleaner | Cleaning hotel rooms, restaurants | $25 – $30 |
Add to these other jobs such as concierge, Hotel General Manager, Housekeeper, etc.
Wages and Working conditions
Salaries & working conditions
Salaries vary depending on the city, the jobs, the hours worked, etc. The minimum wage in Australia in the hospitality industry is $24.10 per hour (to be reviewed in July 2025).
If you are “casual“, your salary should be higher than the minimum salary (+25%). This is partly because of the precariousness of the status as you will have no guarantee of working hours. Moreover, casual employees do not get paid when they are sick or go on vacation.
In some establishments, salaries will also vary depending on the day of the week. For example from Monday to Thursday, then they will increase the hourly rate on Friday evening and Saturday and increase again on Sunday (in general in big cities).
In Australia, an employee can work up to 38 hours in a week unless an employer asks him to work reasonable extra hours.
Trials in hospitality
In hospitality, it is quite common that you have to do a trial before you get hired. A brief work trial can be legally unpaid if it is necessary to evaluate someone’s suitability for the job. You demonstrate the skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. During your trial you will be under direct supervision of the employer for the entire time.
Any period beyond what is reasonably required to demonstrate the skills required for the job must be paid at the minimum rate of pay. It is illegal for your employer not to pay you for any work that you do, even if it is only for a small number of hours.
But don’t be nervous and be yourself. They only want to see if you are not completely untalented. Smile and be friendly and attentive to customers. Keep your eyes open for tables that need cleaning and always clear empty glasses or cups from tables when you’re on the way to the kitchen. Maintain a good pace without stressing if it’s busy.
By the way, managers sometimes forget to mention that you should wear comfortable runners unless it’s a posh restaurant. If in doubt, wear black or unobtrusive colours.
Working 6 months with the same employer
Since January 2024, you can work for the same employer in Australia for more than 6 months without asking permission if your work is:
- in different locations and work in any one location does not exceed 6 months
- in plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia
- in certain industries, including aged care and disability services, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, in northern Australia only (see Northern Australia)
- natural disaster recovery work
- in critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, anywhere in Australia
- in the critical sector of tourism and hospitality anywhere in Australia.
For any other situations not covered above, you must ask for our permission to work longer than 6 months with one employer.
Why to work in Hospitality in Australia?
Working in the catering industry will give you a wealth of experience. Here are some of the advantages of working in this field:
- You can be hired even if you have no experience in this field. At the beginning, you could simply be a “runner” and bring in the food and drinks.
- It’s a sector that’s recruiting all over the country! So if you’re a bit resourceful, your search shouldn’t be too arduous.
- The hospitality is renowned for its dynamic and social working environment. It’s a great way to meet people, make friends and immerse yourself in the Australian culture.
- Some jobs can lead to a sponsorship, allowing you to stay in Australia for the long term.
- Working hours can be flexible, which is ideal for people who want to balance work with study, travel or other commitments. This allows you to explore the country while working.
- Wages in this field are often competitive, with hourly rates meeting or exceeding the national minimum wage. What’s more, tips can add significantly to your income, especially in high-end establishments.
- Obtaining required certifications, such as the RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol), not only opens up more opportunities in the catering industry but also enhances your CV, showing that you have the skills you need to work in the industry.
Working in Hospitality in Australia in 2025: What’s New?
In 2025, Australia’s hospitality industry is booming, offering great opportunities for Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holders. With a projected market value of over AUD $102 billion and steady annual growth of 3.8%, this sector remains one of the most active in the country.
Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as tourist hotspots like Cairns and the Gold Coast, are constantly recruiting staff — especially during the summer season (December to February) when restaurants, cafés and bars experience peak activity.
Today, it’s common to see “Staff Wanted” signs in venue windows. There’s high demand for:
- Waiters and waitresses
- Baristas and bartenders
- Kitchen hands and cleaners
- Front-of-house and host roles
You are looking for other jobs in cities? Download the Australia Backpackers Guide and find everything you need to know about jobs in housekeeping, shops, factories, construction or other types of casual work.
Download our complete guide to Work in Australia
- Best jobs in cities & farms
- Certificates & training requirements
- Visa options for residency
- Farms & Mining contact listing
Updated on 19/04/2025
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