How to become a Barista
Prepares and serves espresso coffee and other hot beverages to patrons in a cafe, coffee shop, restaurant or dining establishment.
Main tasks
- Operates coffee machines and other equipment to brew and prepare beverages
- Grinds coffee beans and measures out appropriate amounts for each order
- Froths milk and adds it to coffee to create specialty drinks
- Cleans and maintains coffee machines, equipment and work areas
- Stocks and replenishes coffee beans, milk options and other supplies, such as flavoured syrups, drinking chocolate or chai powder
- Provides information and recommendations to customers on coffee and beverage options
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Hospitality (Restaurant Front of House) (SIT30722); Certificate IV in Hospitality (SIT40422); Certificate III in Hospitality (SIT30622); Certificate I in Hospitality (SIT10222)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $78,000 a year
- About 120,400 people work in this job group now, and about 134,100 are projected by 2035. (+11.4%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Related jobs
- Bar Attendant
- Cafe Worker
- Gaming Attendant
- Gaming Dealer or Croupier
- Bar Supervisor
- Cafe or Restaurant Supervisor
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Barista?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Hospitality (Restaurant Front of House); Certificate IV in Hospitality.
How much does a Barista earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $78,000 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Barista a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 120,400 to about 134,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Barista?
Usually not. Only 17% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Hospitality (Restaurant Front of House); Certificate IV in Hospitality.
Will AI change the work of a Barista?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04