Restaurants and cafés: worker industry guide
INDUSTRY RESOURCE • Sources checked 11 November 2026. This is one of an initial eight industry guides; the directory is not yet exhaustive.
About the industry
Restaurant and café teams combine food preparation with customer service. Work can include cooking, kitchen support, table service, reservations and shift supervision, often during evenings and weekends.
Career pathways
Kitchen pathways can lead from kitchen support or an apprenticeship to qualified cook, senior kitchen duties and kitchen management. Front-of-house pathways can lead from food-and-beverage service to shift supervisor or restaurant management. Experience and additional training are normally needed for senior roles.
Award and employment conditions
Not every business selling meals is covered by the Restaurant Award; check exclusions and any applicable agreement.
An industry label alone does not establish award coverage. Check the award's coverage, exclusions and classifications against the employer's business and the work performed. Enterprise agreements are employer/workplace specific; state-system employment may have different instruments.
Enterprise agreements (EBAs)
Search the Fair Work Commission register using the employer's legal name and check the agreement's coverage, approval decision, variations and replacement status. No employer-specific agreement is asserted to apply on these pages.
A sector-wide page cannot determine the instrument that applies to an individual worker. An agreement may continue after its nominal expiry date; verify its current operation and any replacement. General information only, not legal advice.
Training courses and advertised availability
Provider lists 27 January 2027 on-campus starts and apprenticeship options. Apprenticeship study requires an appropriate employment/training arrangement; confirm campus and places.
This is an example training option, not a complete national list. An advertised course or intake does not guarantee an available place. Confirm current dates, delivery location, fees, funding, entry requirements and recognition with the provider before enrolling. Course completion does not guarantee employment, promotion or licensing.
Enquiries
NATSIC-AS enquiries • 1800 238 622 • gethelp@natsic.org
Ask about workplace advocacy or help identifying the appropriate employment instrument. Training enquiries and enrolments should go directly to the course provider.
Last source check: 11 November 2026. Always consult the linked official instrument and provider for the latest information.
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