Barista - Job Profile

A Barista is a professional coffee maker. This is someone who has the necessary skills to prepare and serve espresso coffee in restaurants, bars and cafes using commercial espresso machines. The term ‘barista' is often used to describe someone who excels at espresso making, regardless of their training and they may also be known as a coffee bartender or coffee maker.

How do I become a Barista?

There are no formal requirements for training to work as a barista, however there are a number of qualifications that would prepare you for working in the industry and they include:

Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations)
Certificate III in Hospitality (Operations)

It is also possible to complete a short training course that would cover the specific area of preparing and serving coffee.

What personal attributes do I need to become a Barista?

Excellent personal presentation
Ability to stand for long periods of time
Enjoy working as part of a team
Commitment to providing excellent customer service
High level of personal cleanliness and hygiene
Able to work efficiently and speedily
Good hand eye coordination
A passion for coffee

It is important to understand that work as a barista can be quite repetitive, especially when it is busy. However, this can also be rewarding when you are providing a quality service and product to appreciative customers.

How much can I earn as a Barista?

Baristas on average have a weekly earning of approximately $600 before tax.

How many hours can I expect to work in a week?

The hours for a barista can vary greatly, however you could expect to work a lot of morning shifts as well as on the weekends.

What are my employment prospects?

Employment prospects for baristas are good with most of the industry experiencing a skill and labour shortage. With a coffee culture developing more widely there are job opportunities in rural and regional areas of Australia as well as the cities.