The Australian hospitality sector is expected to grow by 3.8% annually until 2035, meaning more job opportunities in cafes, restaurants and bars across the country. After a few tough years of rising costs, inflation is predicted to return to 2-3% in 2025, easing financial pressures on everyday Australians. With people feeling more comfortable spending on great food, great coffee, and great experiences, the hospitality industry is set to thrive.

So, which hospitality roles will be in high demand this year? Here’s a look at the top job roles in the hospitality industry for 2025.

1. Waiters

With more people set to be hitting their local hospitality spots, skilled waitstaff will continue to be in high demand. The role involves:

• Taking orders and serving food and drinks – Ensuring that customers have an enjoyable dining experience starts with great service.
• Providing excellent customer service – Being personable and making sure diners feel welcome is key.
• Managing tables – Waiters are responsible for making sure the service runs smoothly from start to finish.

This role is perfect for those who enjoy talking with customers and thrive in a bustling environment.

2. Kitchen Hands

Behind every great meal is a team of kitchen hands keeping the operation running smoothly. Duties include:

• Prepping ingredients – Getting food ready for cooking is a critical part of kitchen operations.
• Cleaning dishes and maintaining a tidy kitchen – A clean environment is essential for health and safety in the kitchen.
• Handling basic cooking tasks – They might assist with basic food preparation or even cooking under the direction of a chef.

With more people enjoying great hospitality, kitchen hands are the backbone of food service and will always be needed.

3. Bar Attendants & Baristas

From pouring beers to the perfect flat white, bar attendants and baristas are key players in hospitality. In 2025, the demand for skilled professionals in these roles is set to grow.

Bar Attendants:

• Mixing and serving drinks – Mastering the art of mixing cocktails and serving the perfect drink is crucial.
• Managing stock and maintaining cleanliness – Bar attendants are also responsible for ensuring the bar is well-stocked and hygienic.

Baristas:

• Crafting high-quality coffee – Baristas are skilled in making coffee to perfection, whether it’s a flat white, long black, or specialty brew.
• Understanding brewing techniques – Knowing the beans and the best way to brew them is essential for creating the perfect cuppa.

Coffee and pub culture is huge in Australia, meaning great baristas and bar attendants will always be in demand.

4. Chefs

With Australians keen to explore new cuisines and dining experiences in 2025, chefs will continue to be highly sought after. Handling:

• Menu planning and food preparation – Developing new menus and preparing fresh, creative dishes is at the heart of their role.
• Kitchen management and supervision – Managing a team in the kitchen is no small feat, and chefs often oversee the cooking process.
• Food safety and hygiene compliance – Ensuring food is prepared in a safe environment is a non-negotiable responsibility.

A skilled chef is worth their weight in gold, and the demand for experienced chefs is only growing.

5. Café & Restaurant Managers

A well-run venue needs strong leadership, and that’s where café and restaurant managers come in. In 2025, experienced managers will be in high demand to:

• Overseeing day-to-day operations – Managing the overall operations to ensure everything runs smoothly.
• Managing staff and customer service standards – Keeping the team motivated and ensuring customer service is top-notch.
• Controlling budgets, stock, and supplier relationships – Managers will need to balance financials and make sure there’s a steady supply of ingredients and equipment.

With more hospitality venues set to open and expand, the need for experienced managers will increase

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Upskilling and Career Development in Hospitality

With demand for skilled workers on the rise, those looking to succeed in hospitality will need to continue upskilling and diversifying their skill set. Here’s how:

Training and Certifications: In hospitality, certain training and certifications are often essential, especially for roles that involve food handling, alcohol service, or customer safety. These certifications not only boost your credibility but also show potential employers that you’re serious about your career.

• Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA): If you’re working in a venue that serves alcohol, obtaining an RSA certificate is a must. This qualification teaches you how to serve alcohol responsibly, understand the legalities around alcohol service, and handle situations like underage drinking or intoxicated patrons. RSA courses are relatively quick to complete and available online or in-person across Australia.

• Food Safety and Handling Certifications: In any kitchen or food-serving environment, food safety is paramount. Completing a food safety certificate ensures that you understand hygiene practices, food storage, and other critical safety standards. For chefs, kitchen hands, or baristas working with food, this qualification is often required.

• First Aid and CPR: Many hospitality employers, especially in larger venues, prefer to hire staff with first aid and CPR certifications. Having this training can make you more valuable to an employer and gives you the confidence to handle any medical emergencies that might arise.

Start by identifying the certifications most relevant to the role you are aiming for. For example, if you plan to work in a bar or nightclub, prioritise obtaining an RSA. If you're aiming for a kitchen role, look into food safety courses. Many online providers offer affordable, accredited training that you can complete at your own pace.

Leadership Roles: As the hospitality industry continues to grow, experienced workers will be needed to step into leadership roles. Leadership in hospitality isn’t just about managing a team; it’s about motivating staff, creating a positive work environment, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. If you’re ambitious and want to move up the ranks, taking on leadership responsibilities is a great way to advance your career.

• Shift Supervisor/Assistant Manager: These roles are often seen as stepping stones to management positions. As a shift supervisor or assistant manager, you’ll be responsible for overseeing staff during your shifts, managing customer service, ensuring the venue’s operations run smoothly, and dealing with any issues that arise.

• General Manager: For those who want to run the show, becoming a general manager (GM) could be the ultimate goal. A GM oversees all aspects of a hospitality venue, from budgeting and operations to marketing and staff management. It’s a role that requires strong leadership skills, excellent communication, and the ability to make strategic decisions that impact the business’s success. However, reaching this position takes time and requires experience in various aspects of the hospitality industry.

Whether you're job hunting or already working, taking on responsibility is key to building leadership skills. If you're not currently employed, look for opportunities to lead small teams or projects in community groups or volunteer roles. If you’re working, take the initiative to manage a section or help train new staff, even if you're not in a formal leadership position. 

Cross-Skilling: One of the best ways to increase your job security and career progression in the hospitality industry is by becoming a multi-skilled worker. Cross-skilling, or learning multiple roles within the same workplace, gives you flexibility and increases your value as an employee. For example, a worker who can wait tables, make coffee, and help out in the kitchen is much more versatile than someone who is confined to just one role.

• Waitstaff + Barista Skills: In cafes or casual dining venues, being able to switch between waiting tables and making coffee is incredibly valuable. Baristas have a specialised skill set, but with training, you can quickly learn the basics and offer this service to customers.

• Kitchen Skills + Front-of-House Service: Understanding the kitchen process, from food prep to plating, can help you become more efficient when working front-of-house. Likewise, if you can assist with simple kitchen tasks, such as prepping salads or basic garnishes, you can step in and lend a hand when the kitchen gets busy.

• Cocktail Making and Basic Bar Skills: While you may start as a bar attendant, having knowledge of cocktail mixing and understanding the basics of craft beer or wine pairings can open doors for other bar roles. The more you know about different drinks, the more valuable you are as a bar staff member.

The more skills you have under your belt, the more likely you’ll stand out to employers looking for flexible, reliable staff. Being able to move between roles within the same venue will also give you more career opportunities, especially if you want to progress into a management role down the track.

The hospitality industry is on a steady path of growth, with ample job opportunities emerging across various roles. Whether you're just starting out or aiming to level up your career, upskilling and gaining experience in key roles will position you for success in 2025. Stay proactive in developing your skills, and you'll be ready to seize the exciting opportunities ahead.

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