A Complete Guide to Coffee Jobs in Australia

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If there is anything Australians love more than football and their sport, it is coffee.

Australians take their coffee very seriously. Our obsession with coffee is so strong that three out of every four Australians (19 million) drink at least one cup of coffee each day. No wonder there are cafés and coffee shops present at almost every street corner.

Another amazing fact about the coffee culture in Australia is you will get to taste variety of coffee from different countries. Be it Italian coffee with steamed froth, Spanish with condensed milk, or Turkish style coffee. Everything that suits your taste, you can find it in the long list of Australian coffee shops.

Aussie baristas are equally amazing, and you hardly get your coffee wrong when ordering. You can get your coffee in any type you like; espresso (tall or short), latte, flat white, mocha, cappuccino, macchiato, frappes, and many more.

The secret of Australian baristas in making a name in the industry is they understand that coffee is much more than beans and water. They have a firm understanding of the science and art of coffee making.

The Rise of the Aussie Barista

A career in coffee varies – it can be stimulating and rewarding at the same time.

As a barista, a whole flock of people depends on your coffee-making skills to get their daily fix. The coffee you make regulates the energy, mood, and overall productivity levels of the drinkers.

The demand for coffee is increasing every day in Australia. Coffee shops and café have booming profits, and barista jobs are slowly rising in the Australian and worldwide market. In the past five years, there has been significant growth in the coffee industry.  According to Global Coffee Market – Growth, Trends, and Predictions (2020-2026), it expects to grow at least 4.22% by 2025.

For many, it is a dream to work as a barista in Australia. But what is it like to work as a barista in a country that is passionate about their coffee? What is the salary, which requirements do you need to meet, and would other baristas recommend this job to you?

There are plenty of advantages to a barista job, and most of them found below.

  • High employment rate. The employment opportunities in the coffee industry are higher than in others. Most baristas never stay on the job search for a long period because of the high demand.
  • Good paying job. Among all the fun jobs available, being a barista probably pays the most. While most baristas have a minimum salary, they make much more money through tips. The amount of tips will depend on your ability to provide excellent service to your customers.
  • Fun work environment. If you love interacting with people and have a good sense of humor, then this job is the best fit for you.
  • It is something that all workers need in today’s fast-paced busy world. Working as a barista makes it easy for you to work and not be stuck on a strict 9 to 5 job.
  • Build your resume. Working as a barista strengthens your resume if you plan to work within the coffee industry and work your way up. It is the type of job that teaches independence, customer service, communication, self-discipline, and problem-solving skills.

Barista Job Description

The coffee culture in Australia is slightly different from what is trending in most western countries. Rather than ordering coffees in big chains like Starbucks, Australians are extremely picky about their coffee type in general. Most of them tend to go for specialty coffee houses that let them select their own coffee.

By saying that, it means that your job as a barista in Australia will involve making all types of coffee. These include variations such as the use of skimmed milk, soy milk, and flavored syrups.

Aside from making and serving espresso-based drinks, baristas are also responsible for:

  • Welcoming customers, informing them about specials, and answering queries
  • Providing menu options to customers
  • Opening and closing the station/coffee shop
  • Maintaining inventory and replenishing items in display cases
  • Keeping equipment clean and in running condition
  • Basic food preparation such as sandwiches or baked goods
  • Serving items to the customers
  • Adhering to all food safety and health regulations, including quality control

A typical barista role goes beyond knowing how to make different types of coffee. You will also be expected to help the customer choose the right beverage or bean by determining their preference.

Besides barista qualifications, you must also have soft skills that every good barista has. These include customer interaction, the ability to work well under pressure, and others. You must also have a firm grounding of the whole coffee process to make that perfect cup of coffee.

Dealing with such tasks requires all aspiring and current baristas to enroll in a Barista training course.

In a Barista Pro Course, they will learn the very basics of making a great cup of coffee. These include:

  • Tamping and grinding methods
  • Water quality and temperature
  • Operate and maintain the machine
  • Extraction timing
  • Free pouring
  • Latte art
  • Coffee plant cultivation and drying methods
  • Roasting
  • Correct storage
  • Renewable disposal methods,
  • Recycling of ingredients and packaging

Barista Course in Australia

There is plenty of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in Australia from where they offer accredited courses for your coffee shop jobs. Choose an RTO that is completely compliant in providing training and assessment. At the end of the course, you should be getting a Statement of Attainments for:

  • Prepare and serve espresso coffee (SITHFAB005)
  • Use hygienic practices for food safety (SITXFSA001)

In a barista class, you will be taught by professionals and get hands-on training with the coffee machines. The people who are providing the training are experts in the industry. Most of the time, you will be doing hands-on training and live demonstrations of the actual coffee-making process.

There is no shortage of barista positions in Australia, but there is a lack of baristas with enough qualifications. The best way to ensure you stand out from the competition is to complete a Nationally Accredited Barista Training course with a trusted training provider.