Cafe Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Cafe Workers sell and serve food and beverages for consumption on premises in cafes and similar establishments.
Also known as: Cafe Assistant or Cafe Attendant.
Specialisations: Canteen Attendant.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Cafe Worker. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related area like hospitality.
Tasks
-
preparing and serving food and beverages for consumption on the premises
-
taking customers' food and beverage orders
-
operating cash registers, accepting payments and preparing sales invoices
-
clearing away used dishes and cutlery from tables when customers are finished
-
cleaning and preparing tables for use
-
washing dishes, cutlery and cooking utensils
-
cleaning cafe equipment such as coffee grinders, espresso machines and ice makers
-
participating in stocktakes and assisting in putting away new stock
-
providing backup to other cafe employees
Characteristics
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
Administrative
-
Enterprising
-
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 33,300 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 | 19,100 |
2012 | 22,700 |
2013 | 21,500 |
2014 | 22,900 |
2015 | 31,200 |
2016 | 30,100 |
2017 | 21,800 |
2018 | 27,200 |
2019 | 30,200 |
2020 | 28,300 |
2021 | 30,800 |
2026 | 33,300 |
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 19% of people employed as Cafe Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 47 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,253 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,000
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,367
Median hourly earnings are $31, 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 | Cafe Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,253 | 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 Cafe Workers work in the Accommodation and food services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
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 | Cafe Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.0 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.2 | 1.9 |
-
Around 41% of Cafe Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
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 Cafe Workers is 24 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 15 to 19 years.
Females make up 81% of the workforce. This is 33 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 | Cafe Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 31.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 19.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 15.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 11.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 13.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 4.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 2.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 24 | 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 Cafe Worker. 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 | Cafe Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 8.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 11.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 35.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 11.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 23.7 | 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 Café workers who can interact with others, are reliable and well presented.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
39%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
34%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
32%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
32%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
32%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
32%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
32%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
32%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
30%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
30%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
30%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
27%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
23%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
23%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
21%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
54%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
40%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
39%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
33%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
33%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
30%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
28%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
27%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
24%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
23%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
22%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
21%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
20%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
19%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
18%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
16%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
15%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
-
15%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
48%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
37%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
-
37%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
37%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
37%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
36%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
36%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
34%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
34%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
32%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
32%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
30%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
30%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
30%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
-
29%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
-
23%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
62%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
61%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
60%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
55%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
53%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
49%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
45%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
43%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
41%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
40%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
38%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
36%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
35%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
-
35%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
35%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
34%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
34%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
34%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
28%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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.
-
95%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
57%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
48%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
19%
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
-
62%
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.
-
62%
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.
-
26%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
24%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
24%
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.
-
19%
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.
Demands
-
96%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
85%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
82%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
-
82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
80%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
80%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
80%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
79%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
79%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
77%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
75%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
74%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
74%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
73%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
71%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
70%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
-
69%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
69%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
68%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
66%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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, 35-3021.00 - Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food.
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.