Waiter
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$33,200
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Serves food and beverages in a hotel, restaurant, club or dining establishment.
Alternative titles
Food and Beverage Attendant
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Sets up tables and arranges seating for customers
- Takes orders from customers for food and beverages
- Provides recommendations and suggestions to customers regarding menu items
- Clears tables and ensures the dining area is clean and presentable
- Handles customer enquiries and resolves issues or complaints
- Takes payment from customers
- Stocks and replenishes supplies and inventory as needed
- Follows health and safety regulations and maintains a clean and hygienic work environment
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 4
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Hospitality (Restaurant Front of House)
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Hospitality
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Catering
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Hospitality
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Catering Management
Specialised training
Diploma of Hospitality Management
Specialised training
Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
Specialised training
Certificate I in Hospitality
Transferable skills
Certificate II in Hospitality
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
288
ACT · May 2026
30
VIC · May 2026
286
NT · May 2026
19
SA · May 2026
66
NSW · May 2026
501
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+5%
6,614 projected jobs
to 2035
+12%
14,616 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Waiter.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - Inner
8,577 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - Inner
8,577 employed
VIC
+2.99%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
5,432 employed
VIC
+13.21%
year on year
- 3
Gold Coast
5,171 employed
QLD
+15.68%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - South East
4,354 employed
VIC
+10.09%
year on year
- 5
Sydney - City and Inner South
3,682 employed
NSW
-2.13%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
122,830
Moved in from another occupation
19,880
Moved to another occupation
34,530
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
2
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 471632
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.