Key Facts:
- Australia's hospitality sector faces peak demand from November to March, driven by holidays and celebrations, creating high demand for skilled workers
- The Accommodation and Food Services industry employs over 966,000 people, with an 18,700 job growth (2%) in the past year
- Nearly half (45%) of hospitality workers are under 25, making it Australia's largest employer of young people
- Key certifications in demand include Responsible Service of Alcohol, Responsible Conduct of Gambling, and Food Safety qualifications
- The sector currently experiences national shortages of bakers, chefs and cooks, with median ages for café workers and fast food cooks at 21 and 18 respectively
Skilled hospitality workers are set to be a hot commodity as Australia's Accommodation and Food Services industry gears up for its busiest time of year.
And according to a leading hospitality training organisation, that makes now the time for current and prospective hospitality employees to upgrade and certify their skills.
Hospitality Courses Australia director Samuel Bohr said November to March represented the busiest time of the year for the hospitality sector due to a combination of school holidays, sunny weather, and major celebrations like Christmas and New Years.
"From cafes and restaurants to clubs, pubs and hotels, we see a huge uptick in demand for staff over this period, particularly employees who are well-trained or experienced, and have sought after certifications such as Responsible Service of Alcohol or Responsible Conduct of Gambling," Mr Bohr said.
The Accommodation and Food Services industry remains one of Australia's largest employers, with over 966,000 people working in the sector, according to the latest Australian Government data.
Importantly, it's also an industry where demand for skilled employees has consistently increased over the past 20 years.
"In the past year alone, the number of workers in the hospitality sector grew by 18,700 jobs (or 2 per cent)," Mr Bohr said.
"And employers love nothing more than someone who is certified, experienced and ready to step into a food or beverage role, particularly at a time when the industry is extremely busy and customer expectations are high."
The hospitality sector is also Australia's largest employer of young people, with the industry often providing that all-important first experience of employment.
"Almost half of all hospitality workers (45 per cent) are aged under 25," Mr Bohr said.
"That means for many people, a role in hospitality is their first job.
"And it's a great sector for that, offering experiences that range from customer service to fast paced food preparation, fine dining and more."
If young people are seeking to take advantage of the opportunities available this peak season, Mr Bohr said there were a range of quick and easy courses to assist, including:
- Responsible Service of Alcohol – A mandatory requirement for anyone serving alcohol in a licensed environment
- Responsible Conduct of Gambling – Which isa necessity for individuals working in gambling venues including the gaming areas of clubs and pubs.
- Food Safety Supervisor - Which allows a staff member to oversee food safety in hospitality and commercial kitchens.
- Food safety retail course - Which teaches proper food handling, hygiene, and storage practices.
"Regardless of whether this is your first job in the industry or if you're an experienced hospitality worker looking to boost your income, now is the perfect moment to complete a short, skills-focused course," Mr Bohr said.
"With employers actively hiring, a quick qualification could be the ticket to cashing in on one of the busiest hospitality periods on record."
Hospitality quick stats
- The Accommodation and Food Services Sector employs 6.6 per cent of Australia's workforce. (Source: Jobs and Skills Australia)
- In 2025, there were 966,000 people in the Accommodation and Food Services sector (Source: Jobs and Skills Australia)
- The Accommodation and Food Services Sector is Australia's largest employer of young people. (Source: 2021 Census)
- Over 45 per cent of Accommodation and Food Services sector employees are aged under 25. (Source: 2021 Census)
- Fast Food Cooks have a median age of 18 years old (Source: 2021 Census)
- Café workers have a median age of 21 years old. (Source: 2021 Census)
- The sector is currently experiencing a national shortage of bakers, chefs and cooks. (Source: Jobs and Skills Australia)
