Waiters
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Waiters serve food and beverages in hotels, restaurants, clubs and dining establishments.
Also known as: Food and Beverage Attendant.
Specialisations: Drink Waiter, Formal Service Waiter, Silver Service Waiter, Sommelier, Wine Steward.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Waiter. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related area like hospitality.
Tasks
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setting and arranging tables
-
greeting customers and presenting them with menus and beverage lists
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taking orders and relaying them to kitchen and bar staff
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serving food and beverages
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opening bottles and pouring beverages
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clearing tables and returning dishes and cutlery to kitchen
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removing empty bottles and used glasses from tables, and refilling and replacing glasses
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collecting payments for sales and operating point of sales machines and cash registers
-
may recommend wines to complement food
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
-
Administrative
-
Enterprising
-
Helping
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow strongly
- is likely to reach 140,300 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 114,300 |
2012 | 115,000 |
2013 | 110,700 |
2014 | 122,700 |
2015 | 126,400 |
2016 | 119,400 |
2017 | 133,300 |
2018 | 128,500 |
2019 | 129,200 |
2020 | 102,900 |
2021 | 125,300 |
2026 | 140,300 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 16% of people employed as Waiters work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 50 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,000 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $979
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,143
Median hourly earnings are $28, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Waiters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,000 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
-
Most Waiters work in the Accommodation and food services industry.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Waiters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 28.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 65% of Waiters live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Waiters is 22 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 20 to 24 years.
Females make up 76% of the workforce. This is 28 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Waiters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 30.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 32.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 21.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 7.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 5.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 1.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 1.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 0.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 22 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Waiter. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related area like hospitality.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Tourism, Travel and Hospitality VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Waiters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 13.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 8.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 10.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 44.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 13.2 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Waiters who connect with others, provide good customer service and are well presented and reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
39%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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36%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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34%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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32%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
30%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
29%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
29%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
29%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
25%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
21%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
-
18%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
59%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
44%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
39%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
33%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
32%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
31%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
31%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
28%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
27%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
25%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
24%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
22%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
21%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
20%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
17%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
14%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
-
14%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
14%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
11%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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46%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
43%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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41%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
41%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
39%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
-
39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
37%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
-
37%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
37%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
-
36%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
-
34%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
34%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
34%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
34%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
32%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
32%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
32%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
66%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
57%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
56%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
55%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
51%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
-
50%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
42%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
41%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
40%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
40%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
39%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
38%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
37%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
37%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
37%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
36%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
35%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
35%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
34%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
30%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
81%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
76%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
71%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
33%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
Values
-
86%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
48%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
33%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
29%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
29%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
-
99%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
95%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
94%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
93%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
90%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
82%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
82%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
80%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
79%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
75%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
74%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
73%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
70%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
69%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
-
68%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
68%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
65%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
60%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
59%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 35-3031.00 - Waiters and Waitresses.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.