Best Hospitality Jobs in Australia
Looking to start or further your career in Australia’s ever-growing hospitality industry? It’s an exciting and popular career (the average hospitality salary in Australia is $70,000 per year or $35.90 per hour) full of opportunities for advancement. But there are a few things you should know before moving ahead. Check out the top 20 best hospitality jobs in Australia right now –– and the skills and experience you’ll need to land you.
Are Hospitality Jobs in Demand in Australia?
Following a strong decrease in 2020 through 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry in Australia continues to rebound, with projections for 2025 to be the nation’s highest level ever.
There is also a consistently growing demand specifically for restaurant managers, cooks, and waitstaff in Australia that will only continue to climb over the next five years.
What Experience Do I Need to Work in Australia's Hospitality Industry?
Experience in the hospitality industry is essential –– but just what kind of experience you bring to the role depends on your area of hospitality. Here are some good examples of hospitality experience to help you stand out from the rest.
For those in the business and management sector of the hospitality industry, education is not always a requirement, but good to have. In Australia, there are certain levels of training candidates can achieve:
- Certificate I & II in Hospitality
- Certificate III & IV in Hospitality
- Hospitality Management Diploma (and Advanced Diploma)
- Bachelor of Arts in Tourism & Hospitality Management
For those in more customer-facing roles, job and training experience is the best kind of experience.
What Skills Do I Need to Work in Australia's Hospitality Industry?
The hospitality industry in Australia requires candidates to possess a unique skill set to provide customers with exceptional service. Here are some of the most in-demand of those skills.
- Communication skills
In order to listen to, understand, and deliver on every customer’s unique expectations, strong communication skills are a must-have in the hospitality industry.
- Negotiation skills
Key to solving customer disputes and organizing events while bargaining for contractor work requires equally impressive and efficient negotiation skills.
- Time management
Hospitality in Australia is a demanding and fast-paced industry. To be able to smoothly operate as an effective member of your team, managing your time properly is very important.
- Teamwork
In the hospitality industry, efficient teamwork is needed at all levels and in many different departments, especially if you work in a hotel or a kitchen.
- Observation skills
Sometimes, the slightest mistake can completely ruin a customer’s experience. That’s why attention to detail is a key skill needed for all hospitality jobs
Top 20 Best Hospitality Jobs in Australia
What does a Hospitality Manager do?
Hotels and restaurants in Australia thrive on tourism and the need for qualified Hospitality Managers, who run the day-to-day operations of businesses like hotels, restaurants, resorts, and cruise ships are always in demand.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | IKEA, Frontline Hospitality, Stamford Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Darwin |
What does a Food & Beverage Director do?
These roles are vital to the upkeep and efficient operation of businesses like hotels, bars, restaurants, and cruise ships. Directors oversee various teams across multiple departments and are the go-to for approvals that affect entire businesses.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | Hospoworld Resourcing, Recruita, Novotel, Brisbane Airport Hotels Group |
What does a Head Chef do?
Head Chefs not only cook and prepare food, but they also oversee the entire kitchen of a restaurant or hotel. Just about every eatery that caters to crowds in the hospitality and tourism industry has a head chef, a sous chef, and a team of cooks –– their roles are typically assigned internally and can vary by the size of the establishment and how busy the kitchen gets each night.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Time management Teamwork Observation skills | IHG Hotels & Resorts, Aveo Group, Matthews Hospitality Group |
What does a Bartender do?
One of the most popular jobs for young people looking to get their foot in the door of Australia’s hospitality sector, bartenders fulfill an essential role in restaurants and bars. If you are of legal age and know how to craft cocktails and sling suds then this is an exciting venture wherein you will likely meet all kinds of interesting people.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork Observation skills | The Sporting Globe, Ovolo Group, TGI Fridays, Marriott Hotels |
What does a Restaurant Server do?
Food service is one of the most popular positions in the hospitality industry. Most serving jobs don’t require experience and, if it’s a reputable place, they will provide you with foundational training. Plus, you often get to enjoy a free meal on your shift. These jobs are typically fast-paced, but the communication skills (and tips) you’ll develop make it a worthwhile option.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork Observation skills | TGI Fridays, Sodexo, Oaks Hotels, Star Entertainment Group |
What does a Sous Chef do?
A Sous Chef –– taken from the French: “under–chief” –– provides support for a Head Chef in the kitchen of a restaurant or hotel. They typically take on much of the responsibilities of running the kitchen, including preparing, cooking, and plating food.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork Observation skills | The Sporting Globe, The Loungers, Accor, W Hotels |
What does a Restaurant General Manager do?
Australia boasts a large tourism industry and, as such, it is home to some of the most famous and exclusive restaurants in the world. The general manager of this type of restaurant oversees running the daily operations, but also elements of bookkeeping, scheduling, and knowledge of cuisine.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | McDonald’s, Grilld, Accor Hotels, Nando’s Australia & New Zealand |
What does a Hotel General Manager do?
Hotel Managers are in charge of the daily operations of the venue, including hiring, training, scheduling, and monitoring staff, as well as fulfilling customer service inquiries and complaints, plus coordinating with vendors and external companies.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | Stamford Land Corporation, Minor Hotels, Duxton Capital, Red Star Hotel Groups |
What does an Event Manager do?
Events Managers oversee various teams across departments within the hospitality industry. When clients book a venue and/or experience for guests, the Events Manager will designate and assign work, manage schedules and sign off on approvals that affect entire businesses.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork Observation skills | Robert Walters, We Are Aspire, Australian Tourism Export Council |
What does a Sommelier do?
Sommeliers are popular positions in hotels or fine dining restaurants because of their proficiency and expert knowledge of wines. They are expected to suggest wine and food pairings, help chefs create up-to-date wine listings, and promote their business at wine-based events.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | The Royal Sydney Golf Club, House Made Hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company |
What does a Housekeeping Manager do?
Mostly employed in hotels and resorts –– but also on cruise ships and on airlines –– housekeeping managers oversee the cleanliness and appearance of the venue, monitor and control labor costs, and ensure cleaning supplies are in-stock.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | Workforce Australia for Individuals, Crystalbrook Collection, G’day Group, The Langham Melbourn |
What does a Front Office Manager do?
Front Office Managers, like the ones found at hotels and restaurants, aren’t as involved as directors or senior management but fulfill just as important a role. Day-to-day duties typically include staffing, managing guest accounts, and coordinating hotel sales among other things.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | Hyatt, Doubletree by Hilton, Stamford Hotels and Resorts, Mantra |
What does a Travel Agent do?
A travel agent researches and plans extended trips for groups, individuals, and couples looking to get away. Travel agents source preferred rates on hotels, flights, car rentals, and excursions.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork Observation skills | Travel + Leisure Co., We Love Travel Guides, Flight Centre Travel Group |
What does a Tour Guide do?
An efficient tour guide will put together itineraries and provide private or public tours of areas of a country or destination, including museums, historical sites, and other points of interest. Tour guides are a beacon of specialized information and provide answers so that guests can have the best time possible while on vacation.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork Observation skills | Travel + Leisure Co., We Love Travel Guides, Luxe Executive Travel |
What does a Cruise Ship Director do?
Just about anything a Hotel or Hospitality Director accomplishes on land, a Cruise Ship Director executes on the open seas –– from ensuring the efficiency of day-to-day cruise staff operations to disembarkation safety procedures.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | Cruise Whitsundays, Carnival Australia, Silversea Cruises |
What does a Public Relations Director do?
Those who work in public relations within the hospitality industry will typically lead teams that handle client groups and determine the most effective forms of communication for minimizing conflicts, managing crises, and promoting goods, services, people, and brands
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | Mkt. Communications, AlphaGlobal, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Trustpilot |
What does a Marketing Director do?
A Marketing Director working in the hospitality sector is typically responsible for using industry research and market trends to forecast growth opportunities while examining ways of increasing revenue for their hotel, restaurant, or leisure resort.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | Stopgap Australia, Nine, Holiday Inn, The Porter House Hotel, Public Hospitality |
What does a Spa Manager do?
The manager of a hotel or resort spa helps guests to luxuriate and relax throughout their stay. Prominent business people, these roles can also involve scheduling appointments, maintaining inventory, and hiring and training staff.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, One&Only Resorts, JW Marriott |
What does a Wedding Planner do?
Tasked with overseeing many different aspects of a wedding and reception, Wedding Planners know all the ins and outs of the industry. They can help brides-to-be source a venue, create seating charts, and couriers wardrobe to and from locations –– the sky’s the limit.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | The Boat House, Compass Group, Refresh Hospitality |
What does an Event Planner do?
Depending on the occasion, Event Planners are typically involved in every aspect of the planning, execution, and post-clean-up stage of the event. They also book clients while solving on-the-fly issues that may arise, not to mention helping to clean up once the event is done.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
Communication skills Negotiation skills Time management Teamwork | RGC Global, Complete Corporate Wellness, Robert Walters, Compass Group |
Find the Best Hospitality Jobs in Australia Now
There you have it! The best hospitality jobs –– and the skills and experience required to get them –– in Australia for 2024.
