Frequently Asked Questions
FAQS FOR VENUES
GENERAL
How can Barcats help me find staff for my venue?
Barcats is Australia’s largest hospitality community with ~250K staff members looking for hospitality jobs. You can search and hire candidates for any role like chefs, bartenders, baristas, front-of-house, managers, and more. All you need to do is Post A Job and start your search.
Does Barcats have any placement fees?
None. You can directly connect with staff to trial and hire staff based on what suits you.
Do I need to pay to register my venue on Barcats?
No - you can register your venue for FREE on Barcats. You pay when you post a job. Barcats offers Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) for single jobs as well as subscriptions when you need to hire 2+ staff members. Find more information on plans and pricing HERE.
HIRING STAFF
What are my obligations as a venue?
- You're responsible for the hired staff member's well-being, safety, and security during their shift.
- Pay the relevant Award Rates (as per state/federal law) or agreed-upon remuneration. Superannuation, taxes, and leave loading also apply.
- Payment Terms: Pay staff within 7 working days for short engagements or one-off shifts. Ongoing employment follows standard lawful payment practices.
- Award Rate Information: Refer to your relevant state/federal body for details.
What if a candidate isn't what they seemed?
Let us know! You can rate staff and contact Barcats directly at info@barcats.com.au with any concerns.
Can I cancel staff after they accept a job?
Sure, but provide at least 4 hours' notice before the shift to avoid impacting your rating.
How long do I access the candidate details?
For subscribers of one of our plans, the job will be live for 30 days (you will have the option to extend for another 30 days). For venues on our PAYG plan, the job will be live for 7-21 days depending on the role. You will be able to shortlist 5 candidates and receive contact details before making your final recruitment decision. Both Subscription and PAYG can collect these details and contact your candidates within 30 days after the job post has expired.
What if I need to fill a last-minute position?
No worries! Post a Rockstar Shift. If you don't receive any applicants within 4 hours (minimum notice), you'll get your money back. Plus, you can search and directly message available staff in your area.
Who handles payroll and staff management?
Venues are responsible for pay, tax, onboarding, leave, and loading.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
How long do subscriptions last?
Subscriptions require either a monthly, 3-monthly or yearly commitment, granting unlimited access to our staff database and Barcats benefits.
How do payments work?
Secure monthly, quarterly and yearly payments are made via credit card through Stripe. Alternatively, you can "pay as you go" for individual job postings. Check out our Plans & Pricing.
Can I save and reuse job postings?
Absolutely! Login to your venue profile and access "Completed Jobs" or "Expired Jobs" for easy reposting.
CANCELLATION POLICY
How can I cancel a job posting?
Simply find the posting in your profile and select "Cancel Job" to remove it.
How do I cancel my subscription?
To avoid auto-renewal, contact Barcats (info@barcats.com.au) 21 days before your next quarter. You'll have full access until the current quarter ends. No cancellation fees!
What happens with pay, tax, on-boarding, leave and loading etc.?
The venue is responsible.
How does the rating system work?
The star rating system is designed to support the industry and encourage high service levels. As well as maintaining BARCATS high quality of staff. Upon shift completion, an email will be sent to both parties for rating and feedback. This will continue to evolve and be updated over time. The venue to staff rating is based on: Did the staff member show up? Were their skills true to their profile? Were they dressed correctly? Would you hire them again?
What about refunds?
Subscriptions are refundable with 21 days' notice before the next quarter. Pay as You Go ads are non-refundable. To close your account, contact refunds@barcats.com.au.
FAQS FOR STAFF
FINDING JOBS
Do I need to pay for any service on Barcats?
Barcats charges a small monthly fee for hospitality staff to sign up and apply for as many jobs as they like. Additionally, we offer free online and in-person training opportunities to help staff upskill and find their next job. Finally, our wider community also provides great savings to Barcats to unlock additional benefits.
Do I need to have experience to apply for jobs on Barcats?
Not at all - Hospitality welcomes everyone. It’s a preferred career option for students too. Barcats also offers FREE online and in-person training opportunities to help staff upskill and find their next job. Check out the latest training opportunities here: https://www.barcats.com.au/hospitality-training/
How can I search for jobs in Australia?
Barcats offers an easy search function to find jobs that match your criteria. You can filter your job search by:
- Keyword: Search for specific job titles e.g., bartender, bar manager, waiter
- Skills: cocktail making, customer service
- Job Type: Filter jobs by full-time, part-time, or casual work
- Location: Search for jobs in your city or preferred suburbs like Sydney, Southbank, Townsville, etc.
- Venue Type: Filter by venue type e.g., pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes
What happens after I apply for a job?
Once you apply for a job on Barcats, your application will be sent directly to the venue hiring manager. They will review your profile and may contact you for an interview if you are a suitable candidate. You can also track the status of your applications within your Barcats account.
SIGNING UP
How do I sign up to Barcats and create a profile?
Signing up is easy! Visit https://www.barcats.com.au/sign-up-staff/ and sign up for FREE! You can create a profile using your email address or social media account. Be sure to complete your profile information including your:
- Full Name
- Location: City & State
- Contact Information: Phone number & Email
- Previous work experience: Highlight relevant bar or hospitality experience
- Skills & Certifications: List any relevant skills like cocktail making, waitressing, RSA certificate
- Availability: Indicate your preferred work days and hours
What should I include in my profile to get noticed by employers?
A complete and well-crafted profile is key to getting noticed by employers on Barcats. Here are some tips:
- Use a professional profile picture or better yet, one of you working!
- Write a concise bio highlighting your skills and experience in the hospitality industry.
- List your relevant skills and certifications.
- Indicate your availability.
- Proofread your profile carefully for any typos or grammatical errors.
Do I need a uniform to work in hospitality?
Work attire varies depending on the venue and they might provide uniforms, if applicable. However, it’s best to show up in a black shirt/t-shirt, black pants and close-toed shoes for your first shift, unless specified otherwise by the employer.
ONCE YOU'RE HIRED
How do I get paid?
Barcats acts as a platform to connect staff with venues. You will be paid directly by the venue you work for according to their agreed-upon payment terms. Clarifying payment schedules and methods with the venue during the interview process is important.
I had an issue working at a venue. What can I do now?
You can rate a venue on Barcats after your 1st shift. Alternatively, you can contact us at info@barcats.com.au to make a complaint. Any issues regarding role and compensation changes, along with differences in work hours sit with the venue and are best resolved directly with your employer.
I am no longer interested in or cannot work the job I accepted. What do I do?
You can withdraw from a job provided you have given the venue/employer adequate notice. It may affect your overall staff rating. We understand that sometimes life can get in the way. However, it is your responsibility to communicate directly with the employer.
ELIGIBILITY
What is needed?
- All Barcats members must have the right to work in Australia.
- Spoken language and level of fluency will be outlined in your profile.
- Barcats encourages people of all ages (over 15+), provided they are legally qualified and certified to work the job.
- All Barcats staff must have an Australian phone number to apply for Rockstar shifts.