What is the Minimum Wage for a Waiter in Australia? [2024]

Australia has long been a popular destination for foreign students seeking job opportunities. Among the numerous professions available, waiter jobs are one of the most popular. Find out here what the minimum wage is for a waiter in Australia.

The minimum wage in Australia in 2024 is 23.23 AUD* per hour. However, the average minimum wage for a waiter tends to be a bit higher, currently standing at 29 AUD* per hour.

Are you interested in learning more about working as a waiter in Australia? Great! Keep reading this article where we’ll tell you what factors determine the salary and give you some useful tips to land this job. Take note!

What is the minimum wage for a waiter in Australia?

According to data from Indeed, the current salary for a waiter in Australia is 29.59 AUD*.

However, depending on factors such as the city, experience, and minimum rates set by labour laws, the salary may vary. Below, we share the average waiter and waitress salaries in the main cities of Australia:

• Perth: 33.25 AUD* per hour.
• Brisbane: 30.63 AUD* per hour.
• Sydney: 30.14 AUD* per hour.
• Melbourne: 29.07 AUD* per hour.

What factors determine your final salary in Australia?

From luxury restaurants in the heart of cities to cozy cafés in rural towns, the variation in income can be significant. Learn about the factors that influence a waiter and waitress’s salary in Australia.

City

As you know, the minimum wage for a waiter varies depending on the city, but why? Well, in densely populated cities like Sydney or Melbourne, the demand for services in restaurants and bars is usually higher than in less populated areas.

What does this mean? It means there’s greater competition among employers to hire waiters and waitresses, resulting in more competitive salaries as they try to attract and retain the best talent.

English language proficiency

Communication is essential for customer service in the hospitality industry. Waiters need to understand customer requests, take orders accurately, and answer menu questions.

Therefore, a good level of the English language facilitates effective communication with diners, which can increase customer satisfaction and ultimately lead to more generous tips. Additionally, it can facilitate advancement to supervisory or management roles.

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Restaurant location

Restaurants located in areas with high demand and customer traffic tend to generate more income. For example, those in tourist areas, business districts, or entertainment districts often experience a steady flow of diners.

This means waiters have the opportunity to serve more customers and therefore earn more in tips and service fees. The good thing is that this can also increase your total earnings.

Type of establishment

You may already know this, but restaurants vary in terms of category and quality. Waiters working in high-end restaurants or places serving high-quality food and drinks often expect higher salaries.

Likewise, high-end restaurants require longer working hours. What does this mean? Waiters may have to work more hours and ultimately earn more money.

Previous experience

Let’s be clear! Experienced waiters are usually more competent in taking orders accurately, serving efficiently, and meeting customer needs. This can result in higher-quality service.

Additionally, experienced waiters often have a deeper knowledge of the menu, including dish ingredients, dietary options, and recommendations. This allows them to offer expert advice and increase sales.

Job opportunities as a waiter in Australia

There are plenty of places to work as a waiter, especially in a touristy country like Australia, where the hospitality industry is so strong. Here we tell you about the job opportunities for a waiter.

Restaurants

Restaurants are one of the most common options for waiters and waitresses in Australia. They can be high-end restaurants, casual eateries, fast-food chains, or establishments specializing in a wide variety of local and international cuisine.

Bars and pubs

Bars and pubs are places where waiters serve alcoholic beverages and snacks. They can work in local bars, traditional pubs, wineries, or nightlife entertainment venues.

Resorts and theme parks

In tourist areas, waiters and waitresses can find good employment opportunities. Especially in theme parks and tourist attractions that offer food and beverage services to visitors.

Hotels

Many hotels in Australia have restaurants and bars where waiters are needed to serve guests. This includes luxury hotels and resorts for families and groups of friends.

Educational institutions and hospitals

This job opportunity might surprise you! Some schools, universities, and hospitals also employ waiters to serve meals to students, faculty, and patients in dining halls and cafeterias.

Tips for finding work as a waiter or a waitress in Australia

Now that you know what the minimum wage is for a waiter in Australia and where you can work, we want to share a series of tips to make your job search much easier than you think. Get your pen and paper ready, and let’s read!

• Get your RSA. This is a necessary certificate to serve alcoholic beverages. With this, you can work in different positions and different types of establishments.
• Learn how to set a table. Serving wine and knowing the order of utensils are simple skills you can learn very quickly and that will make a good impression on your future employer.
• Knock on doors. Social networks and job boards can help, but going directly to the restaurant to submit your CV gives you a better chance of getting a job as a waiter.
• Learn to memorize. Once you’ve got the job, learning the menu and asking any questions you have about it before customers do will give you confidence and make you look like a true professional.
• Keep calm. It’s normal to feel stressed in the first few days, especially if you haven’t worked as a waiter or waitress before. However, if you make an effort, the pressure will decrease.

*Amounts in this article are indicative and may vary.

Study and work in Australia with GrowPro!

That’s it for this article on what the minimum wage is for a waiter in Australia! We hope it has been helpful and has encouraged you to spend some time in the country. You know what is the best part? At GrowPro, we can accompany you from the beginning to the end of your adventure.

Yes! We offer educational experiences in Australia that will allow you to take courses in areas such as Hospitality and Tourism and work part-time during the school term and full-time during vacations.

How to take the first step? It’s very easy! Select the program you like the most, fill out the form, and wait for one of our Student Advisors to contact you to start planning your trip. We look forward to hearing from you soon, future grower!