What You Will Do

As a waiter or food and beverage attendant, you are the face of the dining experience. You will greet guests, take orders, serve food and beverages, answer questions about the menu, handle payments, and ensure every guest leaves satisfied. The role requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.

You might work in a busy café serving breakfast and lunch, an upscale restaurant delivering fine dining service, a hotel managing room service and function events, or a bar coordinating drink service. Each environment has its own pace and standards, but the core skills remain consistent.

Your day might include setting up dining areas, taking and processing orders, serving meals and beverages, managing multiple tables simultaneously, handling special dietary requirements, processing payments, and maintaining cleanliness throughout service. We cover all of these skills in our Certificate III in Hospitality, with real-world practical experience in operational venues.

The Demand

Melbourne is known as Australia's dining capital, with thousands of cafés, restaurants, bars, and hotels. Regional Victoria's hospitality sector is equally vibrant, particularly in tourist areas. Food and beverage service roles are consistently among the most advertised positions in hospitality, offering entry points and career progression across the industry.

The role offers flexibility—many venues offer casual, part-time, or full-time positions. With experience and training, waiters progress to senior service roles, supervisory positions, or venue management. Some move into sommelier training, events coordination, or hospitality education.

Pay and Conditions

Waiters and food and beverage attendants are covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award. Casual rates include a 25% loading, with penalty rates applying for weekends, evenings, and public holidays.

Many venues offer regular shifts for reliable staff, making this role suitable for students, career changers, and those seeking flexible work. Tips and gratuities can supplement income in some establishments. The work is physically demanding—you will be on your feet for entire shifts—but it offers social interaction, variety, and opportunities to develop valuable customer service and communication skills.

What We Teach You

Our SIT30622 Certificate III in Hospitality prepares you for food and beverage service roles across all hospitality sectors. You will learn professional service standards, food and beverage knowledge, responsible service of alcohol (RSA), customer service and communication, point-of-sale systems and payment processing, and workplace health and safety.

You will complete practical placement in a real hospitality venue, developing hands-on experience and building industry connections. Many of our students secure employment with their placement venue after graduation.

Where You Can Go From Here

Food and beverage service is an excellent foundation for hospitality careers. With experience, you can progress to head waiter or maître d' roles, move into venue management, or specialise in areas like sommelier training or events coordination.

We are invested in your long-term success. Talk to us about where you want to take your hospitality career.

Is This Role Right for You?

This career suits people who are personable, organised, and thrive in fast-paced environments. You need strong communication skills, the ability to multitask, and genuine enjoyment of making people happy. Physical stamina is important—you will be on your feet, carrying trays, and moving quickly throughout your shift.

Successful waiters can read a room, anticipate needs, and remain calm during rushes. You will interact with diverse people, handle unexpected situations, and represent the venue's standards with every interaction. The ability to work as part of a team while managing your own section is essential.

If you enjoy social interaction, appreciate good food and beverage, and want a career that offers both immediate opportunities and long-term progression, food and beverage service could be the perfect fit.