Accommodation and Food Services
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Accommodation and Food Services is a large employing industry. Around 6.8% of workers have their main job in this industry.
This industry includes:
- short-term accommodation providers
- cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services
- pubs, taverns, bars and clubs
- clubs providing hospitality services to members.
On-the-job training is common, and many workers do not have post-school qualifications. Although, a quarter of workers have a VET qualification.
Part-time work is common.
Average earnings are $600 per week, lower the all industries average of $1,250.
Employment
Employment in the Accommodation and Food Services industry grew over the 20 years to February 2023.
The number of workers:
- fell by 12,900 (or 1.4%) over the last quarter
- grew by 44,200 (or 4.9%) over the last year.
Quarterly employment, Accommodation and Food Services
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted.
Outlook
Employment in Accommodation and Food Services is projected to grow by 112,400 (or 13.2%) over the five years to November 2026.
Employment levels, past and projected, Accommodation and Food Services
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, November 2021, seasonally adjusted and Jobs and Skills Australia, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026.
Sectors
Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services is the largest sector in the Accommodation and Food Services industry, employing 72.3% of workers.
Employment by sector, Accommodation and Food Services
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted.
Occupations
Largest employing occupations
Waiters is the largest employing occupation in the Accommodation and Food Services industry.
The 10 largest employing occupations are shown below. The table shows:
- the number employed in all industries
- the number employed in this industry
- the proportion employed in this industry.
Some occupations are common across a number of industries.
Largest employing occupations, Accommodation and Food Services industry
ANZSCO Code | Occupation title |
Employment |
Employment (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
4315 | Waiters | 124,800 | 115,800 | 93% |
8513 | Kitchenhands | 131,400 | 94,700 | 72% |
4311 | Bar Attendants and Baristas | 96,700 | 85,300 | 88% |
6211 | Sales Assistants (General) | 543,500 | 76,000 | 14% |
3513 | Chefs | 89,000 | 73,800 | 83% |
1411 | Cafe and Restaurant Managers | 60,600 | 53,500 | 88% |
8511 | Fast Food Cooks | 49,800 | 48,700 | 98% |
1421 | Retail Managers | 249,100 | 28,600 | 11% |
4312 | Cafe Workers | 33,300 | 27,100 | 81% |
3514 | Cooks | 38,900 | 26,400 | 68% |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, four quarter average, 2021.
Related occupations
The Accommodation and Food Services industry employs workers in a range of occupations.
The table below shows related occupations by ANZSCO Skill Level (Skill Level 1 is the highest skill level). This includes occupations that:
- contribute a large share of industry employment (account for at least 3% of industry employment)
- have a large share of workers in this industry (at least 5% of workers in an occupation).
These thresholds were used as a guide only and a number refinements were made to the list of occupations included.
The table shows the total number of people employed in each occupation as well as the number and proportion employed in this industry at the time of the 2016 ABS Census.
- In most cases, 6-digit ANZSCO occupations are shown. This is the most detailed level of ANZSCO.
- 4-digit occupations are shown where the ANZSCO classification system only has one valid 6-digit occupation.
- The 4-digit employment figures will differ from the figures shown in the Largest employment occupations table above because the figures have come from different data sources.
Expand or collapse each Skill Level button to view related occupations.
Occupations related to Accommodation and Food Services industry, by skill level
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
211213 | Musician (Instrumental) | 6,217 | 370 | 6% |
212113 | Radio Presenter | 1,808 | 148 | 8% |
211113 | Entertainer or Variety Artist | 1,909 | 141 | 7% |
211199 | Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers nec | 1,111 | 117 | 11% |
211112 | Dancer or Choreographer | 963 | 114 | 12% |
211214 | Singer | 888 | 64 | 7% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
3513 | Chef | 77,825 | 65,695 | 84% |
1411 | Cafe or Restaurant Manager | 53,005 | 44,903 | 85% |
142111 | Retail Manager (General) | 164,975 | 24,087 | 15% |
1413 | Hotel or Motel Manager | 19,815 | 18,822 | 95% |
4314 | Hotel Service Manager | 7,195 | 5,914 | 82% |
1414 | Licensed Club Manager | 5,688 | 4,573 | 80% |
1493 | Conference and Event Organiser | 19,769 | 3,808 | 19% |
1412 | Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager | 3,249 | 2,883 | 89% |
141999 | Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec | 3,896 | 2,654 | 68% |
149913 | Facilities Manager | 16,717 | 1,237 | 7% |
141911 | Bed and Breakfast Operator | 1,278 | 1,156 | 90% |
149111 | Amusement Centre Manager | 1,851 | 490 | 26% |
142113 | Betting Agency Manager | 686 | 182 | 27% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
3514 | Cook | 39,890 | 27,150 | 68% |
351112 | Pastrycook | 6,388 | 2,027 | 32% |
3623 | Greenkeeper | 12,002 | 1,902 | 16% |
612112 | Property Manager | 33,785 | 1,576 | 5% |
351111 | Baker | 16,741 | 1,113 | 7% |
452412 | Golfer | 1,010 | 137 | 14% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
4315 | Waiter | 104,293 | 94,383 | 90% |
431111 | Bar Attendant | 45,711 | 41,578 | 91% |
431112 | Barista | 36,270 | 31,153 | 86% |
7321 | Delivery Driver | 37,794 | 8,469 | 22% |
542113 | Hotel or Motel Receptionist | 7,114 | 6,762 | 95% |
542111 | Receptionist (General) | 89,790 | 5,585 | 6% |
6215 | Retail Supervisor | 27,163 | 2,856 | 11% |
4313 | Gaming Worker | 7,168 | 1,415 | 20% |
442217 | Security Officer | 38,478 | 1,231 | 3% |
442213 | Crowd Controller | 560 | 118 | 21% |
423412 | Hostel Parent | 1,365 | 109 | 8% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
8513 | Kitchenhand | 106,327 | 72,700 | 68% |
6211 | Sales Assistant (General) | 512,086 | 72,095 | 14% |
8511 | Fast Food Cook | 34,599 | 33,083 | 96% |
4312 | Cafe Worker | 29,051 | 22,543 | 78% |
811411 | Commercial Housekeeper | 25,413 | 17,162 | 68% |
8112 | Commercial Cleaner | 122,644 | 11,088 | 9% |
631111 | Checkout Operator | 94,011 | 10,997 | 12% |
8997 | Vending Machine Attendant | 4,790 | 3,464 | 72% |
8993 | Handyperson | 29,283 | 2,775 | 9% |
631112 | Office Cashier | 7,062 | 2,056 | 29% |
811412 | Domestic Housekeeper | 5,460 | 1,372 | 25% |
639411 | Ticket Seller | 15,248 | 1,149 | 8% |
431999 | Hospitality Workers nec | 2,848 | 809 | 28% |
431912 | Doorperson or Luggage Porter | 1,120 | 798 | 71% |
431911 | Bar Useful or Busser | 825 | 722 | 88% |
811511 | Laundry Worker (General) | 10,026 | 580 | 6% |
8991 | Caretaker | 5,932 | 548 | 9% |
831199 | Food and Drink Factory Workers nec | 7,519 | 470 | 6% |
851299 | Food Trades Assistants nec | 935 | 435 | 47% |
831115 | Fruit and Vegetable Factory Worker | 2,245 | 384 | 17% |
621711 | Cash Van Salesperson | 1,350 | 206 | 15% |
561111 | Betting Agency Counter Clerk | 1,050 | 178 | 17% |
621713 | Street Vendor | 696 | 144 | 21% |
561199 | Betting Clerks nec | 304 | 129 | 42% |
442299 | Security Officers and Guards nec | 344 | 27 | 8% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Data Downloads
Industry profile data
This file contains data for all 19 industries to make comparing industry data easy. Information available includes:
- Industry snapshot data
- Industry employment (20-year time series)
- Industry employment projections
- Industry sector employment
- Top employing occupations by industry
Occupations related to each Industry, by Skill Level
This spreadsheet lists occupations that are related to each industry by ANZSCO Skill Level.
Useful links
Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC)
The ANZSIC provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of economic data on an industry basis for Australia and New Zealand. The ANZSIC is a hierarchical industry classification with four levels, namely Divisions (the broadest level), Subdivisions, Groups and Classes (the finest level).
There are 19 Division level industries, most industry data on LMI are displayed at this level. Division level industries provide a broad overall picture of the economy and this level is most suitable for the publication of summary tables in official statistics.
The Subdivision, Group and Class levels provide increasingly detailed dissections of these categories for the compilation of more specific and detailed statistics. The sector data on LMI is at the Group level.
For more information on the ANZSIC visit the ABS website.
Industry links
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Administrative and Support Services
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
- Arts and Recreation Services
- Construction
- Education and Training
- Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
- Financial and Insurance Services
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Information Media and Telecommunications
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Other Services
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Public Administration and Safety
- Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services
- Retail Trade
- Transport, Postal and Warehousing
- Wholesale Trade