Are you a people person with a knack for providing excellent service? Becoming a waiter might be the perfect job for you. While formal education isn't required, completing an online hospitality course can significantly boost your employability, enhance your skills, and potentially increase your earnings. Let’s explore what it takes to become a waiter and how online courses can help you get started.
What Does a Waiter Do?
A waiter serves food and beverages to customers in a restaurant, café, or other dining venues. They are in charge of making sure guests have a great dining experience by providing attentive and efficient service, taking orders, serving food and drinks, and handling payments.
Day in the Life of a Waiter
- Welcome guests and guide them to their tables.
- Accurately take food and drink orders and communicate them to the kitchen staff.
- Deliver orders to customers promptly and ensure everything is correct.
- Attend to customers’ needs, answer questions about the menu, and provide recommendations.
- Process payments, handle cash and card transactions, and provide accurate change.
- Prepare tables for the next guests, clean up spills, and ensure the dining area is tidy.
- Address any issues or complaints quickly and professionally to ensure customer satisfaction.
Waiter Skills
To be a successful waiter you need a blend of soft skills (skills you naturally possess) and hard skills (skills you’d learn on the job or through a course in hospitality)
Waiter Soft Skills
- Excellent communication
- Customer service
- Good at problem-solving
- Calm under pressure
- Team work
- Interpersonal skills
Waiter Hard Skills
- Order Management: Efficiently taking and managing orders, including any special requests.
- Food Safety and Hygiene: Knowledge of food handling and hygiene practices to ensure a safe dining environment.
- POS Systems: Using point-of-sale (POS) systems to process orders and payments.
- Menu Knowledge: Understanding the menu, including ingredients, preparation methods, and dietary information.
- Beverage Service: Skills in serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including proper pouring techniques and drink preparation.
Waiter Salary in Australia (2024)
In Australia, waiters salaries depend on the location, type of establishment, and level of experience. Those working in high-end restaurants or busy city locations may earn higher wages, and tips can also significantly boost earnings.
Entry-level waiters may earn around $50,000 per year, while more experienced waiters may earn $70,000 or more. You’ll also typically earn a weekly tip packet, which varies from venue to venue.
Waiter Employment Outlook
The demand for waiters in Australia remains steady, with plenty of opportunities in restaurants, cafés, bars, and hotels. As the hospitality industry continues to grow, there will be plenty of positions available for skilled and friendly waitstaff.
How to Become a Waiter
If you're considering a career as a waiter in Australia, there are plenty of ways to get you there.
- Online Courses: Online Courses Australia offers tailored courses that provide a solid foundation in hospitality. These courses cover various modules, from managing staff to advanced sales and customer service.
- Micro-Credentials: Micro-credentials are short, focused courses that help you develop specific skills in hospitality, like event management, for example. These targeted courses can help you build a diverse skill set and stay competitive in the industry.
- RSA: If you plan to work in a venue that serves alcohol, completing Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training is essential. Each state offers training through a range of providers, ensuring you meet the necessary requirements.
Start Your Hospitality Course Today with OCA
Ready to start your journey as a waiter and provide exceptional service to customers? Online Courses Australia offers flexible and comprehensive training to help you gain the skills and knowledge needed for success in the hospitality industry.
Develop Practical Skills
Our courses cover all essential areas, from customer service and food safety to order management and teamwork.
Flexible Learning Options
Study at your own pace, balancing your education with other commitments. Our online format allows you to learn from anywhere, anytime.
Take the First Step
Begin your career in hospitality today by enrolling in a course with Online Courses Australia. Gain the expertise to provide outstanding service and create memorable dining experiences for your customers.
Advanced Sales & Customer Service Course Info Pack Download
If you have additional questions about our full range of courses that cover more than 20 different professional industries:
- Call: 1300 611 404
- Email: [email protected]
- Book a career call
Related Courses & Roles
Want more from your hospitality career? Here are some related courses and roles to check out:
- Career Development