100% free hospitality job description templates
Complete job description templates for Australian hospitality venues. Covering front-of-house, kitchen, bar and management roles. Aligned with Restaurant and Hospitality Industry Awards. 100% free, fully editable and ready to download.
Browse templatesHospitality job descriptions for australian venues
The hospitality industry in Australia is one of the largest employers, with diverse roles spanning restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, pubs, catering and fast food. From entry-level positions to management roles, clear job descriptions are essential for attracting quality candidates and setting expectations.
Most hospitality workers are covered by either the Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (MA000119) or the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009), which set minimum pay rates, penalty rates, and conditions based on classification levels.
These templates provide compliant, industry-standard job descriptions that you can customise for your venue. Each template includes duties, required skills, qualifications, working conditions and award classification guidance.
Browse hospitality job description templates
Click any role to view the full template and download as PDF
Waiter
Front-of-house service role taking orders, serving food and drinks, and providing excellent customer experience in restaurants and cafes.
Bartender
Mix and serve drinks, maintain bar cleanliness, manage stock, and provide friendly service. RSA required.
Barista
Prepare espresso-based coffee drinks, operate coffee machines, maintain equipment, and deliver quality beverages with excellent presentation.
Kitchen Hand
Support kitchen operations with dishwashing, food prep assistance, cleaning, and maintaining hygiene standards in commercial kitchens.
Head Chef
Lead kitchen operations, menu planning, staff supervision, quality control, and budget management. Requires trade qualifications and experience.
Sous Chef
Second-in-command of the kitchen, assisting head chef with food preparation, staff supervision, and maintaining kitchen standards.
Line Cook
Prepare dishes on specific stations, maintain quality standards, work efficiently during service, and follow recipes accurately.
Cook
General kitchen cooking role preparing meals, following recipes, maintaining food safety standards, and supporting kitchen operations.
Food Runner
Deliver food from kitchen to tables, support wait staff, ensure timely service, and maintain communication between kitchen and floor.
Dishwasher
Operate dishwashing equipment, maintain kitchen cleanliness, manage cleaning chemicals, and support overall kitchen hygiene.
Host / Hostess
Greet and seat guests, manage reservations, coordinate table flow, and provide first impression of the venue.
Cafe Manager
Oversee daily cafe operations, staff management, customer service, inventory control, and financial performance.
Restaurant Manager
Lead restaurant operations, staff scheduling, customer service excellence, budget management, and compliance with regulations.
Cocktail Waitress
Serve cocktails and beverages in bars, nightclubs or hotels, take orders, process payments, and maintain service standards. RSA required.
Fast Food Crew
Take orders, prepare food items, maintain cleanliness, operate POS systems, and provide quick, friendly service in fast-paced environments.
Bar Supervisor
Supervise bar staff, manage inventory, ensure responsible service of alcohol, handle cash, and maintain bar operations standards.
Hospitality Shift Supervisor
Oversee shift operations, supervise team members, manage service flow, handle customer issues, and ensure compliance during service periods.
Bakery Assistant
Assist with baking preparation, serve customers, package products, maintain display standards, and uphold food safety in bakery environments.
Barback
Support bartenders by restocking supplies, cleaning glasses, maintaining bar cleanliness, and assisting during busy service periods.
Catering Staff
Serve food and beverages at events, set up and pack down venues, maintain presentation standards, and deliver professional catering service.
Award coverage for hospitality workers
Understanding which award applies to your business
Restaurant industry award 2020
MA000119 covers employees in restaurants, cafes, catering businesses and similar food service establishments. Includes food and beverage attendants, cooks, chefs, kitchen hands and management positions in these venues.
View Restaurant Award ratesHospitality industry award 2020
MA000009 covers employees in accommodation providers, pubs, taverns, bars, nightclubs, casinos and other licensed establishments. Includes bar attendants, gaming staff, security, accommodation attendants and hospitality managers.
View Hospitality Award ratesWhich award applies to my business?
The correct award depends on your primary business activity. Some businesses may fall under either award or have employees covered by different awards.
- Restaurants, cafes, catering = typically Restaurant Award
- Pubs, bars, hotels, nightclubs = typically Hospitality Award
- Registered and licensed clubs = may use Clubs Award
- Fast food/QSR chains = often use enterprise agreements
Always verify which award applies to your specific business. Use award interpretation software to ensure accurate pay calculations.
Who should use these templates?
These job descriptions are designed for Australian hospitality businesses
Common hospitality hiring challenges
Clear job descriptions help address these issues
High turnover rates
Clear expectations reduce early departures
Shift availability confusion
Unclear about evenings, weekends, split shifts
Missing qualifications
Candidates without required RSA or food safety
Pay expectations mismatch
Unclear award rates and penalty loadings
Poor skill match
Hiring candidates unsuited to the role demands
Training burden
Staff unprepared for role requirements
Well-written job descriptions attract candidates who understand and want the role.
What's included in these templates?
Every hospitality job description template includes
All templates are fully editable and designed for Australian hospitality compliance.
Why clear job descriptions matter
Without clear job descriptions
- Unsuitable candidates applying
- Expectation mismatches leading to turnover
- Confusion about shifts and availability
- Time wasted on poor-fit interviews
With clear job descriptions
- Better quality applicants who understand the role
- Reduced early turnover and training waste
- Clear expectations from day one
- Faster, more efficient hiring process
Legal disclaimer
These templates are designed to reflect Australian workplace standards and hospitality industry practices at the time of publication. They are provided as a general guide only and do not constitute legal advice.
You should review and tailor each template to suit your business, venue type, service style, modern award, enterprise agreement and specific requirements. For complex situations or award coverage questions, seek independent legal or HR advice.
Why hospitality job descriptions matter
The hospitality industry faces unique challenges: high turnover, shift work, penalty rates, qualification requirements (RSA, food safety), and seasonal demand fluctuations. Clear job descriptions help candidates understand what they're signing up for before they apply.
Well-structured templates also support award compliance by aligning role expectations with classification levels, helping you hire at the correct pay rate and reducing disputes about duties and responsibilities.
Whether you're hiring your first waiter or building a full restaurant team, these templates provide a professional, compliant foundation that saves time and improves hiring outcomes.
Hospitality job description FAQ
- We provide 20 free hospitality job description templates covering front-of-house, kitchen, bar, and management roles. All templates include duties, skills, qualifications, and award classifications aligned with Australian hospitality standards.
- The core duties remain the same, but you should note the employment type and adjust expectations around availability and shift patterns. Casual staff typically need greater flexibility, while permanent staff have set hours. Make these distinctions clear in your job advertisements.
- Yes, all templates are fully editable. You should adjust duties to match your service style (fine dining, casual, pub, cafe), add venue-specific requirements, and tailor qualifications to your needs. The templates provide a compliant foundation to build from.
- Most hospitality workers are covered by either the Restaurant Industry Award 2020 (MA000119) or the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009). Some venues may fall under the Registered and Licensed Clubs Award. Check which award applies to your specific business type.
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