Hospitality is a relatively straightforward industry to break into, but it can be hard for managers to find good staff! Venues are constantly hiring waitstaff, yet good candidates still get overlooked because they apply the wrong way, at the wrong time, without the right paperwork.

This waitstaff jobs guide covers what the role typically involves, what managers look for when they’re hiring waitstaff, and a few practical steps that will help to get your application to the top of the pile!

What does waitstaff mean?

The waitstaff meaning trips a lot of people up when they’re scrolling through job ads. Waitstaff is a collective, gender-neutral term that refers to the front-of-house employees who take orders, serve food and drinks, and look after guests in a restaurant, cafe, pub, or other function venue. It tends to replace the older terms of “waiter” and “waitress”. The word is generally treated as a plural. Saying “a waitstaff” is a little bit clumsy. Ideally, you’d want to either say “a member of the waitstaff” or simply “a waiter. 

Is a waitstaff a waiter?

Yes. A waiter is an individual person, whereas waitstaff refers to a team of waiters. If a job ad says something along the lines of “waitstaff” wanted, then they’re looking for waiters. The distinction matters slightly when you’re writing your resume. With this, it’s a good idea to list your job title as it appeared on your payslip or contract. So, you may write “food and beverage attendant”, “waiter”, or something else entirely. Use “waitstaff” when describing the team, rather than your individual role.

What is the difference between main server vs waitstaff?

“Main server” is typically used in American restaurants, and isn’t really a job title in Australia. In US restaurants, the main server (sometimes also called a lead server) is assigned ownership of a table. Their job is to greet the guests, take the order,  and handle the bill. Supporting staff, often called back servers, food runners or bussers, deliver plates, refill water and clear the table. 

In Australia, this is often done a bit differently. Rather than have one owner per table, venues will often run a section system where a waiter is responsible for a section of the floor and handles everything that happens in it. During busy times, they may be supported by runners or bussers. 

So the honest answer to main server vs waitstaff is that  waitstaff is the umbrella term for the whole front-of-house serving team, while “main server” describes a specific level of responsibility within that team under an American structure.

What does a typical waitstaff job description include?

It’s a good idea to know exactly what you’re signing up for before you apply. Most job ads should have a list of tasks that will be required of the successful applicant. A standard waitstaff job description in Australia may cover:

• Saying hello to guests and taking them to their seats, as well as the management of waitlists during busy times
• Presenting guests with menus, remembering and explaining specials, giving recommendations on what to order
• Taking orders for food and drinks, sometimes on a notepad and paper, sometimes on a POS system or handheld table
• Serving alcohol responsibly (when in a licensed venue)
• Carrying plates and trays, clearing tables and resetting them for the next booking
• Handling payments, including organising split bills and processing refunds 
• Asking guests about allergies and dietary requirements, and communicating these directly and accurately to the kitchen team
• Restocking drinks and cabinet food, polishing glassware and cutlery
• Completing opening and closing duties
• Responding to any complaints received in a calm, understanding manner, and escalating them where appropriate

Read every job description closely before applying. A cafe brunch role and a wedding-reception role sit under the same title but require quite different skills, and tailoring your application to the specific waitstaff job description is a simple way to stand out.

Step 1: Get your RSA certificate

A simple step you can take to make yourself more hireable is to get your RSA certificate before you start applying. All throughout Australia, anyone who sells, serves, or supplies alcohol in a licensed venue must hold a valid Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate. This includes pubs, clubs, restaurants with a liquor licence, bars, hotels, bottle shops and most function and event work.

Having a valid RSA listed on your resume helps an applicant stand out to a hiring manager. It means you can start right away and shows you take initiative. 

A few points of note: 

RSA requirements vary by state and territory

Victoria has its own approved course, while other states and territories recognise the nationally accredited RSA unit, but the rules on recognition, refresher training and expiry differ. New South Wales issues an RSA competency card through Liquor & Gaming NSW, which you’ll then need to convert into the full card. It’s a good idea to check what the exact stipulations are for the state or territory you plan to be working in.

Certificates can expire

Some states and territories have RSAs that expire after a set amount of time. If your certificate is a few years old, make sure you confirm that it’s still current before you list it on your resume.

Get it before you apply

Many states allow for RSAs to be completed online, which means you can often complete the course in your own time, and in a few hours. Having a resume with a valid RSA on it can be invaluable during the hiring process.

Put it at the top of your resume

Don’t bury the fact that you have an RSA, put it at the top of your resume so hiring managers can see it quickly. Including the issuing state and expiry date (where applicable). 

Streamline Training offers online RSA courses for most Australian states and territories. Our RSA courses can be completed from your own home, and at your own pace. They can be paused and resumed as needed, and automatically save, so you can easily move between devices where needed. We also have locally-based support, 7 days a week, so you can get in touch with any questions you may have. 

If you’re planning to work in a venue with poker machines, you may also need a Responsible Service of Gambling certificate. Some roles may want a Food Safety certificate, too. There are several  short courses you can complete to make your resume more appealing to employers in the hospitality industry.

Step 2: Create a resume that suits hospitality

Hospitality managers are pretty busy people, which means resumes tend to be read fast! One page should be plenty for everything you wish to get across. 

Lead with your availability

If you can work Friday and Saturday nights, say so in the first two lines. Weekend and evening availability is highly valuable in hospitality. Managers often hire for gaps in the roster, so list as much availability as you can.

Use facts and numbers

Briefly explain the working environments you’ve been in before. For example, if you’ve worked in sections with up to 40 covers during peak service, or catered 150-head weddings, list it. Don’t spend too much time explaining it in detail, simply list it.

Name the systems you know

Make sure to name any of the systems you’ve used. This could include Square, Lightspeed, Bepoz, SevenRooms, OpenTable, or others. It shows hiring managers that you’re experienced and understand the systems.

Translate your non-hospitality experience

When you’ve worked in other industries, it can show versatility. Whether it’s retail, aged care, child care, or call centres, people-facing roles build similar skills of patience and memory, two traits that are highly important in the hospitality industry.

If you have no experience at all, be upfront about it and lead with your RSA, your availability and your willingness to start on runner or busser shifts.

Step 4: Bring your a-game for the interview and trial shift

Hospitality interviews are short and practical. You should expect questions about your availability, how you’d handle a complaint, and how you’d respond to a guest who’s clearly had too much to drink. Make sure you have a real example ready for each.

Trial shifts are pretty normal in the Australian hospitality game. They provide a genuine opportunity to learn whether or not the venue suits you. However, it’s important to know your rights. While a short trial shift may be unpaid, if you’re rostered onto a full paid service and doing productive work, you should be paid.

Waitstaff work tends to have a reputation as a stopgap job, but it’s worth remembering how many hospitality careers begin here. The people running venues, managing functions and

holding restaurant floors together almost all started by carrying plates and learning a section. Get certified, get your resume down to a page, and start knocking on doors to find your new waitstaff job!

In hospitality, hiring managers tend to read messages fast. A busy venue manager might skim a stack of applications in the ten minutes they have between service periods, so a winning resume typically has skills that are impossible to miss.

Today we’ll be looking at ten waiter skills worth putting on your resume, with wording for each that will make you stand out. Read on for our curated waiter skills list to learn the answer to the question: “what skills do I need to be a waiter?”.

Menu knowledge and upselling

Product knowledge is what separates order-takers from servers. Knowing which wine suits the chicken, and which dish comes out the fastest is a valuable skill that can lift the average spend of a table. Managers track that number, and it makes you look like a great employee. Where possible, attach results from previous jobs, such as “recommended wine pairings and daily specials, contributing to a 15% increase in average beverage spend per table over six months”. If you don’t have figures, describe the scope instead, such as “maintained working knowledge of a rotating 20-item menu and 30-bottle wine list”. 

Responsible Service of Alcohol

If the venue is licensed, you’ll want to make sure you have a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate. With hiring, no certificate can sometimes mean no interview. An RSA certificate is required across every state and territory across Australia for anyone who serves, sells, or supplies alcohol. Streamline Training provides RSA courses for those intereted in getting the accreditation. Keep in mind that the rules regarding interstate recognition can differ depending on the state, so if you’re moving states for work, it’s worth checking the requirements of where you’ll be employed. Give your resume a specific certificates section with the date you completed your course. If you also hold a food safety supervisor certificate or first aid certificate, include these here too.

Point-of-sale and ordering technology

Modern floor service typically means using a bit of tech. This could be a handheld POS terminal, QR-code ordering, table management systems, and integrated payment devices. A manager who sees a familiar system on your resume knows your training time drops, which is great news for them! Name the actual platforms you’ve used so hiring managers can quickly see what you’re proficient in. If you haven’t used the specific system a venue runs, say so honestly, but mention what you have used. Most POS platforms work on a similar logic. It’s also worth mentioning the trickier functions rather than just the system name. This could include: splitting a bill six ways, processing a partial refund, applying a member discount, transferring a tab between tables, or sending a modification through to the right kitchen printer.

Working under pressure

Dinner rush can be the real test of the job! A manager will want to know that when the kitchen is running twenty minutes behind and a large group just walked in, you will keep moving rather than panicking. Show this on your resume by noting down times you’ve handled the stress, such as “managed a 10-table section at a 200-set restaurant, averaging 240+ covers per night’. Including numbers helps to sell your abilities, rather than writing something vague. It also helps to name the type of pressure, because it isn’t the same everywhere. A sports bar on State of Origin night, a bottomless brunch service, a 150-guest wedding with timed courses, and a fine-diner doing two seatings a night all test different things. Matching your experience to the venue you’re applying to is far more persuasive than a general claim. 

Communication and active listening

Many service errors start as listening errors, like a missed dietary note or an allergy mentioned in passing. Good waistaff repeat orders back to their customers and pass information on clearly to the kitchen and bar. When writing this on your resume, frame the skills around accuracy, like “confirmed and relayed complex orders including dietary modifications”. This is a great section to also include any second languages you speak, as this can give you an edge on the competition!

Teamwork and coordination

Another important highlight of this waiter resume skills list is having good teamwork and coordination. Runners, bar staff, kitchen, and floor all depend on each other and if one person won’t clear a table or help during a rush, it slows the whole venue down. Explain exactly how you’ve worked in a team, rather than using generic statements. A good example of this explanation could be: “coordinated with kitchen, bar, and function staff during 150-guest weddings, including timed course delivery”. Note down any handovers you’ve managed. Passing a table to the next shift with the order status intact, communicating a dish that’s currently unavailable before it’s sold, or letting the bar know a large group is about to order all keep a venue running smoothly. Mention any times you’ve rained new staff, also.

Food safety and allergen awareness

Allergen management is incredibly important in food service roles. Understanding cross-contamination, being able to speak accurately about ingredients, and knowing when to check with the kitchen rather than guess is a safety issue, and has a lot of weight behind it. It’s a compliance area that venues tend to take very seriously. Be specific about what you’ve done in this area, like “applied allergen and cross-contamination procedures, including verifying ingredients with kitchen staff for guests with coeliac disease and nut allergies”.

Accuracy with money and orders

As far as skills of a waiter go, getting the bill right is pretty high up there. Split payments, discounts, vouchers, and cash handling all create opportunities for errors that cost the venue money, so a server with a reputation for accurate tills is highly valuable. On your resume, explain exactly what you’ve done in the past at previous jobs. This could look like: “handled cash and card transactions with accurate end-of-shift reconciliation; managed split billing for groups of up to 30 people”. Explain any more complex tasks you’ve handled, too, like applying member pricing correctly, processing a refund, or closing a tab that’s been running all afternoon. 

Customer service and complaint handling

Every venue gets complaints, but it’s how you handle them that counts! You want to resolve the issues at the table, before the guests leave a one-star review. Managers value people who can apologise sincerely, fix the problem, and know exactly when to escalate. On your resume, this might look like: “resolved guest complaints at point of service, escalating to management where required; recognised in venue reviews for attentive service”. Keep it specific, so managers know where your strengths lie.

Reliability and time management

Having good reliability is invaluable in the food service industry. Prove your time management and reliability skills by explaining your past consistency. This could be written as: “two years of continuous employment with consistent weekend and public holiday availability; regularly opened and closed the venue as needed”. Stating the length of time you stayed employed at the one business (if it was a long time) shows good dependability to future employees. 

Is a waitstaff a waiter?

Essentially, yes, but the words aren’t used to mean the same thing. 

A waiter typically refers to one person who takes orders and serves food and drinks in a venue. Waitstaff is a collective term covering staff members that do the same job (plus sometimes runners and bussers too).

The distinction matters most when you’re job hunting. Australian venues are likely to offer waitstaff jobs more often than “waiter positions” as “waitstaff” is gender neutral. If you only search for “waiter”, you’ll miss a large share of what’s out there. Search both, along with “food and beverage attendant” on most large-venue job boards. For your own resume, either “waitstaff” or “food and beverage attendant” is a good job title to go with. 

The good news is that if you’ve spent time working in the food service industry, you should already have at least a few of these skills. The gap is usually in how they’re written down, not in whether you can do them. Remember, applying for waitstaff jobs is largely a numbers game, but tailoring can help you out more than volume does! 

If you don’t have your RSA yet, sort that out first. Serving alcohol in an Australian venue legally requires it, and plenty of managers won’t look past an application without one. It’s a short course you can complete online, and it’s the fastest single thing you can do to make yourself hireable. So, get the certificate, get the specifics down on paper, and start applying!

If you’ve ever thought about working in a bar, serving drinks at a restaurant, or picking up shifts at a music festival, there’s a good chance that one qualification will appear in almost every job advertisement: an RSA certificate.

Completing a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course is one of the quickest ways to open the door to casual, part-time or full-time employment in the hospitality industry. Whether you’re a student looking for weekend work, someone changing careers, or you’re simply wanting more flexible hours, an RSA certificate can significantly expand your employment opportunities.

But what exactly is an RSA certificate, and what jobs can you get with one? In today’s article we’ll give a rundown of the different job opportunities an RSA certificate can provide.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is an RSA certificate?

An RSA certificate stands for the Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate. This certifiate shows employers that you’ve completed nationally recognised training in the safe and legal service of alcohol. In this course, you’ll learn valuable skills such as how to:

• Serve alcohol responsibly
• Recognise signs of intoxication
• Refuse service as required
• Check identification and verify legal drinking age
• Understand alcohol-related laws in your state or territory
• Help minimise alcohol-related harm
• Meet your legal responsibilities as someone serving alcohol

In Australia, anyone serving or selling alcohol generally needs to hold a valid RSA certificate. While the specific rules can vary between states and territories, employers almost always require staff to have completed RSA training before starting work. 

It’s important to note that different RSAs are valid across different states. For example, while the RSA certificate NSW is valid in all states and territories, the RSA certificate QLD is only valid in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, the Australia Capital Territory, and Tasmania. Check with your state or territory if you’ll be wanting to use your RSA across multiple locations. 

Why do employers require an RSA certificate?

Serving alcohol, of course, comes with legal responsibilities. Businesses can face significant fines, licence suspensions or other penalties if alcohol is served irresponsibly. Staff members may also be held personally responsible if they fail to comply with alcohol service laws. This is why holding a valid RSA is so important!

Hiring employees with RSA certification helps businesses ensure their team understands:

• Responsible alcohol service
• Customer safety
• Licensing laws
• When to refuse service
• How to handle difficult situations professionally

For employers, an RSA certifcate is often a legal requirement.

What jobs can you get with an RSA certificate?

An RSA certificate can qualify you for a wide variety of hospitality, tourism and event roles across Australia, which is great news for 

Here are some of the most common RSA jobs.

Bartender

Perhaps the most well-known role requiring an RSA certificate is bartending. A bartender’s role involves preparing and serving alcoholic beverages, typically in a customer-facing position. Depending on the venue, they may also:

• Mix cocktails
• Pour beer and wine
• Operate tills
• Restock fridges
• Maintain a clean bar
• Monitor patrons for signs of intoxication

Bartending is popular because it offers flexible hours and opportunities to work in pubs, clubs, hotels and cocktail bars. This makes it a fun choice for university students, or those that wish to pick up extra hours while working a job during the day.

Bar attendant

Bar attendants perform many of the same duties as bartenders. Some venues use the titles interchangeably, while others have bar attendance and bartenders as separate roles. 

Responsibilities often include:

• Serving drinks to patrons
• Processing payments
• Cleaning glassware
• Restocking stock
• Assisting customers
• Following responsible service requirements

Waiter or waitress

Many restaurants serve alcoholic beverages alongside meals. If this is the case, waitstaff will  typically need to hold a valid RSA certificate. This includes roles that take alcohol orders, serve wine, or deliver alcoholic drinks to customers. Working as a waiter or waitress can be an excellent entry point into hospitality, and also lets you develop your customer service skills.

Restaurant supervisor

As you gain experience, an RSA certificate can also support career progression, such as becoming a restaurant supervisor. Responsibilities of a restaurant supervisor can include:

• Overseeing staff
• Ensuring alcohol is served according to licensing laws
• Assisting with staff training
• Managing customer issues (including those that involve alcohol service)

Hotel staff

Hotels employ a wide variety of staff, and some may require an RSA certificate. This could include:

• Food and beverage attendants
• Room service staff
• Bar staff
• Restaurant employees
• Banquet staff
• Functions coordinators

Many hotels offer opportunities for career advancement into management positions, so an RSA can be a good starting point for a career in the industry.

Club staff

Sporting clubs, RSL clubs, bowls clubs and licensed community clubs regularly hire RSA-qualified employees. These venues may employ:

• Bar attendants
• Food service staff
• Function staff
• Supervisors
• Event personnel

Bottle shop employee

If you’re selling takeaway alcohol, you’ll typically need an RSA certificate. Bottle shop employees assist customers by:

• Recommending products
• Operating checkouts
• Checking identification
• Refusing sales where required
• Restocking shelves

Large retailers and independent bottle shops frequently seek to employ staff that hold a current RSA certification.

Event staff

Australia is home to thousands of events each year, including:

• Music festivals
• Sporting events
• Food festivals
• Agricultural shows
• Community events
• Corporate functions

Many temporary event staff work in licensed bars or beverage service areas where an RSA certificate is required. Event work is particularly popular among students and people looking for casual employment, as it is generally a short-term commitment.

Functions and wedding staff

Wedding venues, conference centres and function spaces often hire casual staff to serve food and beverages during private events. These roles may include:

• Beverage attendants
• Bar staff
• Cocktail servers
• Banquet attendants
• Event assistants

Weekend weddings can provide consistent casual income throughout the year. This form of employment is also great for students.

Casino staff

A casino can be a very fun place to work, and many roles within licensed casinos involve alcohol service. Depending on the position, employees may work in:

• Bars
• Restaurants
• VIP lounges
• Entertainment venues
• Function areas

An RSA certificate is commonly required alongside a Responsible Service of Gambling certificate, and any additional venue-specific training.

Cruise ship hospitality

For Australians interested in travel, hospitality experience combined with RSA training can help when applying for certain cruise ship hospitality positions.

While international cruise operators often require additional qualifications and training, RSA knowledge demonstrates experience in responsible alcohol service.

Brewery, winery, and cellar door staff

Many breweries, wineries and distilleries operate licensed tasting rooms. For this, staff will need to have a valid RSA certificate. These employees may:

• Conduct tastings
• Serve beverages
• Have in-depth knowledge and explain or recommend products
• Process purchases
• Host visitors

These roles are particularly popular in Australia’s wine regions and tourist destinations.

Can an RSA certificate help you find casual work?

Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of obtaining an RSA certificate is access to lots of different casual employment opportunities. Industries that frequently hire RSA-qualified casual workers include:

• Hospitality
• Events
• Tourism
• Catering
• Festivals
• Sporting venues

These roles often offer:

• Evening shifts
• Weekend work
• Public holiday penalties
• Flexible rosters
• Seasonal employment

This flexibility makes RSA jobs particularly attractive for university students, travellers, and anyone seeking additional income.

Is an RSA certificate enough to get a job?

An RSA certificate is an important qualification, but employers often look for additional qualities as well. You’ll need to show that you have additional skills that make you more employable. These may include:

• Strong communication skills
• Friendly customer service
• Reliability
• Teamwork
• Professional presentation
• Willingness to work nights and weekends

For entry-level hospitality roles, many employers are happy to train staff who have the right attitude and a current RSA certificate, so don’t let a lack of experience stop you!

Do different states have different RSA requirements?

Yes. Although the core principles of responsible alcohol service are similar across Australia, each state and territory has its own legislation and licensing requirements. This means that not all RSA certificates are valid across all states and territories. 

If you move interstate, you may need to complete additional training or obtain recognition for your existing qualification. It’s always worth checking the specific requirements before accepting a job in another state or territory.

How long does it take to get an RSA certificate?

An RSA is a short course, and many approved RSA courses can be completed in just a few hours, although the exact duration depends on your state or territory and the training provider.

Some states allow eligible students to complete their training online, while others require face-to-face study or have additional assessment requirements. Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll receive a Statement of Attainment that shows employers you’ve met the training requirements needed to work in licensed venues.

Who should get an RSA certificate?

Whether or not an RSA certificate is worth getting depends on what your employment goals are. An RSA certificate can be worthwhile if you’re interested in working in:

• Hospitality
• Tourism
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Clubs
• Event management
• Catering
• Functions
• Entertainment venues

It’s particularly valuable for:

• School leavers
• University students
• Eligible backpackers
• Career changers
• Anyone seeking flexible or casual employment

Why choose Streamline Training for your RSA certificate qualification?

Streamline Training offers RSA training for each state and territory. With our courses, we provide local support 7 days a week, including until late on weekdays. Our fully online courses mean you won’t need to have any venue visits in order to complete your certification. The course can be paused and resumed at any time, with your progress automatically saved, so you can jump between completing the certificate on mobile, tablet, or computer. The interim certificate is issued the same day you pass, so you can download it to show to any potential employers. We also offer Afterpay, so eligible students can pay for the course in 4 interest-free instalments. 

An RSA certificate is a highly-valuable entry-level qualification for anyone wanting to work in Australia’s hospitality industry. From bars and restaurants to hotels, festivals, sporting venues and liquor stores, countless employers require staff to understand the responsible service of alcohol, and hold the relevant certificate. Completing an RSA course can open the door to a wide range of casual, part-time and full-time roles. It also gives employers confidence that you understand your legal responsibilities.