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The Hospitality and Tourism sector has lots of exciting entry-level jobs for anyone starting a career. Roles are available in accommodation, food and beverage, travel and tourism services.

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Exploring the sector, about the sector.

Working in the hospitality and tourism sector has lots of advantages for people with the right attitude and abilities. There’s a steady supply of jobs, and the work involves dealing with customers – both face-to-face and behind the scenes. There are lots of flexible pathways available to help you build a career and work towards higher-skilled jobs in the field, including positions such as hotel and restaurant managers, chefs and caterers, event planners and travel consultants. 

You can find out more about hospitality and tourism occupations through the  National Skills Commission  website.

Occupations

Find out about the pay, projected growth, employment locations, skills and interests of people working as:

• Bakers and Pastrycooks
• Bar Attendants and Baristas
• Cafe Workers
• Cafe and Restaurant Managers
• Caravan Park and Camping Ground Managers
• Conference and Event Organisers
• Fast Food Cooks
• Gallery and Museum Guides
• Gaming Workers
• Hotel and Motel Managers
• Housekeepers
• Kitchenhands
• Outdoor Adventure Guides
• Tourism and Travel Advisers
• Travel Attendants

Skills Road

Find out about the tasks, skills and aptitudes associated with entry-level jobs in Hospitality and Tourism on the  Skills Road  website.

Australian Apprenticeship Pathways

Explore what apprenticeships and traineeships look like in the hospitality and tourism industry. Visit the  Australian Apprenticeships Pathways  website for more information.

Check your literacy and numeracy skills for work in the hospitality and tourism industry:

• Hospitality

Applying for jobs in the sector

The type of person who suits entry-level roles in this sector.

Most employers are looking for experience, but neat and tidy presentation and a good attitude are also highly valued. Career opportunities are available based on your experience and performance in your role. Qualifications are available for a variety of roles and are expected for some positions (e.g. trade qualified chefs, bakers and pastry cooks).

Values and attributes 

• Customer service skills
• Punctuality and reliability
• The ability to multitask 
• A good communicator 
• Ability to work well within a team
• Problem solving skills
• Willingness to work shift work
• Industry-appropriate personal presentation

Other entry-level requirements

• Responsible Service of Alcohol (not required for all roles)
• Qualifications are needed for some jobs, and can be helpful, but are generally not essential for entry-level roles. 

How to get a job in the sector

Read employer insights about jobs in hospitality and tourism and get tips on how to improve your job search strategy. 

• Job search help for hospitality and retail workers
• Why personal presentation is so important
• Getting to know your chosen occupation
• résumés 
• cover letters

Get free coaching on writing job applications, doing interviews and preparing for work:

• getting to know your chosen occupation
• online learning modules | Workforce Australia
• why personal presentation is so important .

Industry jobs board and vacancies

Online job boards can make finding a job easier. You can customise searches and apply with a few clicks. 

• Go to the Workforce Australia website to search and apply for jobs.
• Go to Jobs Hub and use the filter  Hospitality/Tourism  on the ‘Employers Hiring Now’ tile. 

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Jenny Ashcroft – Ashcroft Rural Enterprises

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I have found it to be a most effective platform to advertise particularly for Back packers, Grey Nomads, people travelling and in recent times Australians looking for work.  

Workabout Australia has established its self as a reliable and practical method for both employers and  employees to connect.”

Shane Todd – Hyden Hotel/Motel

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The word spread far and wide and we now have some great new staff.”

Jenny Townsend – Harbour Lights Caravan Park

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It is through your business we have had interviews, responses and offers, including this position.

Your site is easy to use and seems to have a terrific variety of opportunities.

We will recommend your site to others.”

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Sue Waite – Rollingstone Beachfront Resort

The Good Knights started working with Workabout Australia about three years ago and have been members for about 10 years, we could not be more delighted with the service Justine and the team at Workabout give us. Their web page is terrific and captures a lot of our market. Justine is so easy to work with, very accommodating, nothing is too much trouble, she is a real star. Workabout was an inaugural component of the Good Knights when we first set up our business and we are still working with them today. We have been very lucky to attracted many good relief managers through the site. Thank you Justine for all your hard work we really appreciate it

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Workabout made it so easy to advertise positions looking for workers for this year.

I have always had great results when recruiting staff through Workabout. So easy and stress free.

“Workabout have helped us find some fantastic members of our team and to fill gaps for seasonal work. We’ve benefited hugely from their flexible advertising and received a wealth of good quality applications.”

Sarah Corbitt – Summerstar Tourist Parks

“Its great ,we have seen so many jobs advertised before they hit the open market”

Michael G – Club Member

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The Best Jobs in the World

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In March 2013, Tourism Australia, along with state and territory tourism organisations and partners including Citibank Dell, IKEA, Monster.com, Sony Music, STA Travel and Virgin Australia, launched the Best Jobs in the World global youth campaign.

The global youth campaign took Tourism Queensland’s highly successful 2009 Best Job in the World campaign and made it bigger by involving multiple partners to promote the whole of Australia.

At the heart of the campaign was a global competition to win one of six extraordinary dream jobs with a state or territory tourism organisation, including Destination New South Wales, Tourism Northern Territory, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Victoria, Tourism Western Australia and the South Australian Tourism Commission.

Maxime Coquard, Best Jobs In The World - Wildlife Park Ranger, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia

The campaign targeted travellers aged 18 to 30 years, living in Australia and overseas, with a particular focus on countries eligible for Australian Working Holiday visas.

Tourism Australia rolled out Best Jobs in the World in Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the UK and the USA, resulting in 620,000 applications from 330,000 individuals in 196 countries, with 46,000 video entries during the six-week campaign.

The most sought-after job was  NSW's Chief Funster  (20.2 per cent), closely followed by  South Australia's Wildlife Caretaker  (19.9 per cent),  Queensland's Park Ranger  (17.5 per cent),  Western Australia's Taste Master  (14.7 per cent),  Northern Territory's Outback Adventurer  (14.3 per cent) and  Victoria's Lifestyle Photographer  (13.4 per cent).

Greg Snell, Best Jobs In The World - Wildlife Caretaker, Adventure Bay Charters, Hopkins Island, South Australia © Tourism Australia

In May 2013, 18 finalists from 12 different countries were selected. The finalists were flown to Australia to spend a week undergoing a series of challenges relevant to their chosen job, with the successful candidates being announced in June 2013.

During the campaign, recruitment website Monster.com created an online jobs board that advertised temporary and casual jobs, aimed at travellers visiting Australia under the Working Holiday Maker program.

In addition, 60 youth travel operators around the world promoted the campaign through their own distribution network with STA Travel reporting a significant increase in enquiries and booking.

Andrew Smith, Best Jobs In The World - Chief Funster, Balloon Safaris Hot Air Ballooning, Hunter Valley, New South Wales © Tourism Australia

The campaign resulted in significant publicity with more than 8,500 news articles worldwide generating over $44 million worth of media coverage.

Furthermore, a Tourism Australia survey of nearly 15,000 people who entered the Best Jobs in the World competition revealed that seven out of 10 participants planned to apply for an Australian working holiday visa, with four out of 10 seriously considering taking a working holiday in Australia.

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Nash Lane cafe, Mildura, Victoria © Visit Victoria

14 easy jobs to get in Australia

Looking for jobs in Australia so you can earn a wage while you wander? Consider these options.

Boston Bean Coffee Company, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Robert Liang

Most cafes will require you to complete a barista training course before being hired.

With the love of coffee alive and well across the country, being a barista means you can find a job anywhere you travel. You could brew at a beachfront cafe in Perth or create the deconstructed drinks on offer in Melbourne 's many hipster coffee shops. The best part about being a barista is that working in the mornings leaves you plenty of time for afternoons in the sun and by the beach.

Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia

To serve alcohol in Australia, you are required to complete Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training.

Australia’s drink scene is thriving in cities across the country, which makes bartending a promising option for working holiday makers. Beyond earning a great starting wage, you’ll also get to mingle with the locals, score discounts on food and have your daytime free. There are small pubs, craft breweries, distilleries, wine bars and even posh rooftop bars all around the country where you can apply for jobs year-round.

Mocan and Green Grout Cafe, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Tourism Australia

From quiet cafes to sought-after restaurants, Australia has an endless amount of establishments that need waiters to keep their dining room running smoothly. Luckily, you don’t need any experience to start, and you can find a schedule that fits seamlessly with your lifestyle. Try searching on popular job boards like Seek and Indeed , or simply stop into a few eateries and ask about open opportunities.

Find a wide range of working holiday jobs using these helpful  job marketplaces .

Sailaway Reef & Island Tours, Port Douglas, Queensland © Tourism Australia

With so many stunning aquatic destinations, employment as a deckhand is a popular choice for working holiday makers in Australia. After all, your office will be the open ocean, and you’ll get to meet other like-minded travellers. Consider looking for positions on a yacht or catamaran in Australia’s popular boating areas, such as the  Whitsundays  and  Cairns . You can also find jobs available on fishing vessels along the coast of almost every Australian state.

Gold Rush Tours, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

General labour work is common among Working Holiday makers because it offers high wages and often requires no previous experience. Your tasks may include anything from gardening to simple construction and you'll likely get to soak up the great Aussie weather with outdoor work. Those who do have previous experience can look for a range of construction jobs, which are readily available across the country, especially if you have expertise in plumbing, carpentry or welding.

Professional roles

Streetscape, Sydney CBD, New South Wales © Destination NSW

If you already have a university degree or relevant qualification, settle in to the buzz of one of Australia's vibrant cities with contract work in your chosen career. Short-term contracts, such as project contracts and maternity leave covers, can be found in fields such as accounting, marketing, human resources, IT, project management and more. Be sure to check each role for the required working rights before applying.

Receptionist

Bungalow Bay Koala Village, Townsville, Queensland © Tourism Australia

If you’re looking for a job that offers a good wage and great schedule, then reception might be ideal. Salaries generally start above minimum wage, and typically no evening or weekend work is required, so you'll have plenty of time for short getaways. Receptionist work doesn’t necessarily require previous experience, but good organisational skills and administration knowledge will help you excel at the job.

Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville, Queensland © Tourism Australia

Being an au pair allows you to join a typical Australian family and settle into the Aussie way of life. As an au pair, you may be responsible for tasks like school pick-up and drop-off, doing the children’s laundry and of course, caring for and entertaining the children. If you’re interested in this line of work, agencies such as AIFS , Smart Au Pairs and Dream Nannies  can help you find the right fit. Be aware that parents often require you to have a Working With Children Check and current first aid qualification, which vary by state.

Crops in Malanda, Tropical North Queensland, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Australia is full of farms growing everything from avocados to apples. Farms are often short on fruit pickers and harvesters, offering an opportunity for working holiday makers to experience life in Australia's countryside, earn a wage, receive free accommodation and complete the three months of specified work that is required for most Working Holiday makers to stay an additional year. Harvest Trail is a great resource for understanding harvest seasons and finding work at different times of the year.

Sales assistant

The Strand, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Sales is an excellent career option for working holiday makers who want to gain real-world experience in commerce and customer service. You’ll gain valuable skills which you can use to enhance your CV when you return home and may receive benefits like in-store discounts, plus the daytime hours will leave you plenty of time to meet new friends and explore. There are many large shopping centres in Australia where you can start your search.

Call centre operator

Nitmiluk Visitor Centre, Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory © Tourism NT

If you have a talent for talking with customers, a job in a call centre might be perfect for you. As a call centre operator, you’ll be responsible for handling customer enquiries, recording customer information and referring calls to the appropriate team. A job in a call centre will equip you with skills that apply to a huge range of careers, like organisation, data handling and multitasking.

How much can you earn in Australia?

Housekeeper

qualia, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Hamilton Island

Housekeeping is a popular job among backpackers and working holiday makers because it often offers free accommodation in some of Australia’s most stunning destinations, from the lush rainforest of the  Daintree  to the picturesque waters of  Margaret River . Housekeepers for hostels, hotels and boutique homestays are paid a wage for working hours, and in some cases, can volunteer a few hours a week to receive their accommodation for free.

Major event worker

Australian Open, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Victoria © Tennis Australia

You can get incredible work experience by being in the thick of it at some of the world's biggest events. Melbourne boasts a massive list of major events each year including the Australian Open, F1 Australian Grand Prix and  Spring Racing Carnival . At the Australian Open , you'll find a wide variety of roles up for grabs, from hospitality staff to site crew. Melbourne isn't the only city with event jobs on offer – check out Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras , WOMAdelaide and Brisbane Festival for more employment opportunities.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia

While it’s not a paid job, volunteering offers valuable skills as well as the opportunity to get involved with a cause you’re passionate about. Help rehabilitate Australian wildlife at a sanctuary in Queensland , conserve diverse ecosystems in Western Australia or volunteer on an organic farm in exchange for free room and board. No matter which opportunity you choose, you’ll leave with a deeper insight into the people, places and wildlife that make Australia so unique.

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Melbourne man 'dumbfounded' after finding out he lost Australian citizenship 33 years ago

Glenn Keogh was born in Australia to Australian parents and has never lived overseas.

But two weeks ago, he discovered he had not been an Australian citizen since 1991.

"I don't know how to describe it, except it floored me," he said.

"I was working at the time and I was just dumbfounded."

Last month the 55-year-old was informed by Home Affairs that he had no Australian citizenship or visa, due to a law that was repealed more than 20 years ago. 

When the father-of-two told his employer about the situation, he was initially stood down from work without pay.

"I'm no longer Australian and apparently I haven't been for the last 33 years," Mr Keogh told Raf Epstein on ABC Radio Melbourne Mornings . 

"It's not a situation I expected to find myself in. I'm mid-50s, I've paid my taxes ... I'm very grateful to be Australian."

Applying for Irish citizenship had unintended consequences

Mr Keogh's grandparents were Irish and, proud of his ancestry, he decided to register his heritage with the Irish government when he was 22. 

He didn't understand that would automatically be treated as an application for Irish citizenship or, crucially, that he would immediately lose Australian citizenship as a result. 

Mr Keogh received Irish citizenship and a passport, which he held alongside Australian identity documents which technically were not valid. 

It was never flagged as a problem until he came forward late last year. 

When Mr Keogh shared his story on ABC Radio Melbourne on Friday, the office of the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, said they were looking into Mr Keogh's case.

Three hours later his citizenship was restored. 

He said he was "absolutely elated" to have his citizenship restored after going to the media, but the problem was not solved.

'I felt punished'

Mr Keogh first realised he may be in trouble when he read an ABC article about another man whose citizenship was revoked because of a little-known, now-repealed piece of legislation. 

Before 2002, Australians lost their citizenship rights if they took up citizenship with another country, under Section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948.

That law was repealed in 2002 but it was not applied retrospectively. 

Mr Keogh applied for a resumption of citizenship in December. 

"I put my hand up and I made contact with Home Affairs," he said. 

"I didn't hear anything for about three-and-a-half months." 

When immigration officials eventually got in touch in February, they said Mr Keogh had likely lost his citizenship, and a few weeks later they confirmed the worst. 

Mr Keogh said his communication with the department was "pretty harsh".

"I'm very much aware this section of law still needs to be amended to allow people in my position to appeal for amnesty," Mr Keogh said.

"[The department] needs to respect that people in my situation did not intend to ever give up their citizenship.

"They should be respected, but I felt punished."

It is unknown how many people remain in Australia who lost their citizenship before 2002 and who have not been detected by immigration officials. 

'I've heard from families torn apart'

Another Australian man, Matthew Niall, went through the same ordeal in late 2022, and he became a support for Mr Keogh while he was stuck in limbo. 

"The response to my story shared in the ABC article has been overwhelming," Mr Niall said. 

"I've heard from families torn apart, lives up-ended by the same bureaucratic labyrinth. 

"It's clear to us that change is needed."

Mr Niall and his son lost their Australian citizenship due to the defunct law when he applied to get citizenship for two daughters, who were born overseas.

While Mr Niall has been permitted to resume his citizenship, he is still fighting for his children's right to officially become Australians.

Their mother is not Australian and the Niall family currently lives in Denmark. 

Mr Keogh and Mr Niall want to fight for change, but legal costs are a huge barrier. 

"What the average Australian views as unjust and most likely unconstitutional has been left unchallenged in the High Court, as to do so would be to risk financial ruin," Mr Niall said. 

Mr Keogh said the government's position on Section 17 marginalised "a fair percentage of the population" who had no incentive to come forward. 

"I think change can be made here, I don't think it's a hard thing."

Raf Epstein's Mornings show is  live on ABC Radio Melbourne  every weekday from 8:30-11am. Tune in on 774 AM, digital radio or the Listen app. 

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'a core part of who i am': matt has always seen himself as australian, but his citizenship has been cancelled.

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