Australia’s restaurant and hospitality industry offers a wide range of employment opportunities for people with different levels of experience. From waiters and kitchenhands to chefs, cooks, baristas and restaurant managers, there are many roles available across Australia.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the Accommodation and Food Services industry employed around 967,200 people, with cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services accounting for approximately 696,600 workers. The industry also recorded employment growth over the year to February 2026.
Popular Restaurant Jobs in Australia
Some of the most common restaurant and hospitality positions include:
1. Waiter / Waitress
Waiters serve customers, take orders, deliver food and beverages, clear tables and process payments. Waiters are the largest employing occupation within Australia’s Accommodation and Food Services industry.
Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time weekly earnings of about A$1,346 for waiters, although actual pay can vary according to location, experience, hours and employer.
2. Chef
Chefs prepare and cook food, plan menus, manage kitchen operations, maintain food-quality standards and help ensure hygiene requirements are followed.
Jobs and Skills Australia reports around 133,400 people employed as chefs, with median full-time weekly earnings of approximately A$1,423.
Experienced chefs may find opportunities in restaurants, hotels, resorts, catering businesses and other hospitality venues.
3. Cook
Cooks prepare meals and ingredients according to recipes and restaurant requirements. This can be a useful career path for people developing their commercial kitchen skills.
4. Kitchenhand
Kitchenhands support chefs and cooks with food preparation, cleaning, washing dishes and maintaining an organised kitchen. These positions can be suitable for people who are starting their hospitality career.
5. Barista
Baristas prepare coffee and other beverages while providing customer service. Café and restaurant experience can be useful when applying for these positions.
6. Restaurant Manager
Restaurant managers supervise staff, coordinate daily operations, handle customer service, manage stock and help control costs. Management positions generally require previous hospitality experience and stronger organisational skills.
Is There Demand for Restaurant Workers in Australia?
The hospitality sector continues to be an important part of Australia’s employment market. In the June 2026 quarter, Accommodation and Food Services recorded the highest recruitment rate among industries at 62%, according to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey.
Earlier recruitment data also showed strong hiring activity in the sector, with Accommodation and Food Services recording a 72% recruitment rate in the December quarter of 2025.
This indicates that restaurants, cafés, hotels and other food-service businesses continue to recruit workers, although opportunities and requirements vary by occupation, employer and location.
Where Can You Find Restaurant Jobs?
Restaurant jobs can be found across Australia’s major cities and regional areas.
Popular employment locations include:
- Sydney, New South Wales
- Melbourne, Victoria
- Brisbane, Queensland
- Perth, Western Australia
- Adelaide, South Australia
- Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
- Gold Coast, Queensland
- Regional hospitality and tourism destinations
Job availability can change considerably between locations and seasons. Regional hospitality businesses can also provide opportunities, particularly in tourism-focused areas.
What Skills Do Employers Look For?
Restaurant employers commonly look for:
- Customer-service skills
- Good communication
- Teamwork
- Reliability and punctuality
- Basic food-safety knowledge
- Ability to work under pressure
- Flexibility with shifts
- Previous restaurant or hospitality experience
For chef and cook positions, employers may also look for relevant qualifications, commercial kitchen experience and knowledge of food preparation and hygiene.
Restaurant Jobs for International Workers
People coming to Australia from overseas should check whether they have the appropriate visa and work rights before accepting employment.
Visa eligibility and sponsorship options depend on the specific occupation, employer, qualifications, experience and visa rules. Not every restaurant job provides sponsorship, so applicants should verify the current requirements through official Australian government sources before making plans.
Australia’s 2025 Core Skills Occupation List also identifies Senior Chef among occupations considered in skilled workforce planning, while Jobs and Skills Australia has highlighted strong expected demand for several hospitality and accommodation roles.
How to Apply for Restaurant Jobs in Australia
A strong application can improve your chances of getting an interview.
Step 1: Prepare an Australian-Style Resume
Keep your resume clear and easy to read. Include:
- Your name and contact details
- Relevant work experience
- Hospitality skills
- Qualifications and certificates
- Availability
- References, if requested
Focus on experience that directly relates to the restaurant position.
Step 2: Search for Suitable Vacancies
Look for positions such as:
- Chef
- Cook
- Kitchenhand
- Waiter
- Barista
- Café worker
- Restaurant supervisor
- Restaurant manager
Read the complete job advertisement before applying and make sure you meet the stated requirements.
Step 3: Highlight Your Experience
If you have restaurant experience, explain what you actually did. For example, a chef could mention menu preparation, food safety, kitchen supervision and high-volume service.
For customer-facing positions, highlight communication, customer service, POS experience and teamwork.
Step 4: Prepare for the Interview
Restaurant interviews may include questions about your previous experience, availability, customer service skills and ability to work during busy periods.
For kitchen roles, employers may also ask about cooking techniques, food safety and your experience working in a commercial kitchen.
Restaurant Job Salaries in Australia
Restaurant wages vary depending on the occupation, experience, location, hours and employment arrangement.
For reference, Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time weekly earnings of approximately:
| Position | Median full-time weekly earnings |
|---|---|
| Waiters | A$1,346 |
| Chefs | A$1,423 |
These figures are occupation-level statistics rather than guaranteed salaries for every vacancy. Actual earnings can differ between employers and individual workers.
Tips for Getting a Restaurant Job
If you are looking for restaurant work in Australia, consider these practical tips:
- Apply for positions that match your actual experience.
- Keep your resume concise and professional.
- Mention your availability clearly.
- Prepare references when appropriate.
- Improve your customer-service and communication skills.
- Consider both city and regional opportunities.
- Check work-right and visa requirements before accepting a position.
- Apply directly to reputable employers as well as through established job platforms.
- Be prepared for evenings, weekends and public-holiday shifts where required.
- Never pay an employer simply for the promise of a job.
Final Thoughts
Restaurant jobs in Australia can provide opportunities for both experienced hospitality professionals and people starting their careers. The sector includes roles ranging from kitchenhands and waiters to chefs and restaurant managers.
With nearly one million workers in Accommodation and Food Services and strong recruitment activity reported in 2026, hospitality remains an important source of employment in Australia.
If you are planning to work in Australia, focus on building a strong resume, developing relevant hospitality skills, checking your work rights and applying for positions that match your experience.
SEO Keywords: restaurant jobs in Australia, hospitality jobs Australia, chef jobs Australia, waiter jobs Australia, restaurant jobs for foreigners in Australia, Australia hospitality jobs, kitchenhand jobs Australia, restaurant jobs with visa sponsorship Australia