Oct 10, 2022

AUSTRALIA’S bustling pubs, restaurants, cafes, and hotels are in critical need of a 200,000-strong army of new recruits this summer, to prevent venues closing their doors for up to three days a week, and offering limited menus to diners, who may have to wait up to 25% longer for their meals.

In what is shaping as the biggest season for socialising since the Millennium, the 2022-23 summer marks the first time in three years most Australians will be out of hibernation and ready to party.

However, the hospitality industry is facing a national worker shortage as it rebuilds after the COVID pandemic.

“The hospitality industry in Australia is worth $71.3 billion, and right now, it is time to call in the reinforcements because if we are any chance of seeing hospitality soar this summer, we need support,” Barcats Australia CEO Jeffrey Williams said.

“We need 200,000 new workers, which is three times the size of the entire Australian Defence Force[1].

“It has been a long and challenging few years for this sector and we are desperate to see pubs and clubs, bars and restaurants, cafes and hotels thriving again.

“But the reality is, if we don’t get workers back, customers will suffer. Customers face a 25% increase in wait times, reservation unavailability, increase costs, limited menus and opening hours and a decline in service quality.

“We need staff now with blockbuster events coming up like the Everest Race Carnival in Sydney, Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Melbourne, Fringe Festival in Brisbane, and New Year’s celebrations in every capital city.

“We have identified the top three ‘social hot spots’ in every capital city this summer.”

Across Australia the top five hospitality jobs that need filling are bar and wait staff, kitchen staff, management roles, baristas, and hotel staff.

“We want this to be a blockbuster summer, and this is an industry that hires across a variety of ages – from university students, to retirees, and some of the 180,000 graduating Year 12 students across the nation, we need you to sign up and be part of this hospitality army,” Mr Williams said.

Table 1: Estimated jobs available, job descriptions and training, Australia.

JOBS	VACANCIES	LOCATION	JOB DESCRIPTION
Bar/Bartender	1,000 1,500 1,500 500	Brisbane Melbourne Sydney Western Sydney	Anything from serving drinks to making cocktails. Bar staff & bar people often have RSA’s, basic knowledge of alcoholic beverages and are licensed to serve them.
Wait staff	1,000 1,000 3,000 500	West Sydney Sydney CBD & Surrounds Melbourne Brisbane	Waitstaff and all-rounders are the face of a venue, they’re usually the first smile you see when you walk into a venue and enjoy your meal. From taking orders, to recommending dishes, to finalising payments. They make sure you have a great experience.
Kitchen staff	2,500 2,000 1,000 1,000	Melbourne Sydney Perth Brisbane	Behind the scenes a chef has a team of kitchen hands helping create every dish that goes out that night. They’re part of the greater engine of the kitchen keeping everything running.
Management duty	600 1000 400	Melbourne Sydney Brisbane	The Management team in a restaurant is the orchestrator, making sure everything.
Barista	2,500 2,000 1,500	Sydney CBD & Surrounds Melbourne Brisbane	Making a simple cup of coffee isn’t quite as simple as it seems, being able to create the perfect brew is an art.
Housekeeping/Hotels	1,200 1,700 2,000	Brisbane Melbourne Sydney CBD	All hotel staff from housekeeping to welcome attendants are a huge part of hospitality and they’re integral to the perfect holiday.

Table 2: Party Season schedule

DATE	EVENT	LOCATION
17 SEPT – 5 NOV	Sydney Everest Carnival	Royal Randwick & Rosehill Gardens, SYDNEY
14 OCT – 5 NOV	2022 Brisbane Fringe Festival	Various locations, BRISBANE
14 OCT – 16 OCT	Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix	Phillip Island, VICTORIA
15 OCT	The TAB Everest Bruno Mars LIVE	Royal Randwick, SYDNEY Allianz Stadium, SYDNEY
16 OCT – 13 NOV	ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022	Various locations, ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, GEELONG, HOBART, MELBOURNE, PERTH, SYDNEY
29 OCT – 5 NOV	Melbourne Cup Carnival	Flemington Racecourse, MELBOURNE
1 NOV	Melbourne Cup	Flemington Racecourse, MELBOURNE
26 DEC	Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race	Sydney Harbour, SYDNEY
27 DEC – 1 JAN	Woodford Folk Festival	Woodford, QLD
31 DEC	New Year’s Eve celebrations	Various locations, ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, GEELONG, HOBART, MELBOURNE, PERTH, SYDNEY
4 JAN – 17 JAN	The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions	Gold Coast, QLD
7 JAN – 8 JAN	Falls Festival	Fremantle, WA

Table 3: Predicted top three-party hotspots per capital city, Australia.

LOCATION	HOTSPOTS
SYDNEY, NSW	BONDI - The re-opening of the revitalised and revamped Bondi Pavillion is tipped to drive interest back to the iconic beach front. MANLY - When the weather is warm and the sun is out, beach fronts like Manly and Manly Corso are where you want to be. Expect to see the rise of interest back at the Manly Steyne and New Brighton Hotel. PENRITH – It’s been around for more than 200 years and The Log Cabin is back after a renovation under Laundy Group.
MELBOURNE, VIC	YARRA RIVER – Tourists to Victoria will want to enjoy the mighty Yarra to its fullest this summer with floating venues such as Yarra Botanica and Arbory Afloat firm favourites. ST KILDA – Those looking for a beach vibe, outside of the city, will flock to The Esplanade to enjoy the setting sun. FIZTROY/BRUNSWICK – Cityciders will venture back to their favourite bars and pubs, with the lure of live music and late nights at the likes of Kewpie and Penny’s.
BRISBANE, QLD	HOWARD SMITH WHARVES – Great views, great sport and even better brew is always a favourite with Brisbanites. We can expect Greca and Felon’s to thrive. WEST END – You can always rely on local pubs and watering holes such as The Boundary Hotel and Convent Garden. WOOLLANGABBA – It’ll be homes to the Olympics in 2032 and thanks to the likes of Brisbane Brewing Co and Sasso Italiano, this suburb is a hot spot to watch.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA	BAROSSA – The renowned wine regions of the south will shine this summer with connoisseur’s sampling some of the best produce Australia has to offer at Peter Lehmenn’s and Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop. ADELAIDE CBD – Expect the charm of the CBD to be reinvigorated in the summer months, with favourites like the Parkside Hotel and The Colonist. McLAREN VALE – Enjoy classic Australian Reds, and good family style hospitality, at Mick O’Shea’s, just 30 minutes into wine country.
TASMANIA	COAL RIVER VALLEY – A region steeped in history, known for picturesque landscapes and exceptional wines, get a taste of a southern Tassie drop at Poolley Wines. BRUNY ISLAND – This smaller island off Tasmania is a must this season as a premium destination thanks to the likes of the Island House of Whisky and Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Co. HOBART - Citysiders will be able to let off some steam at favourites, including The Telegraph, to watch the pier and overlook the water from the rooftop.
LOCATION	HOTSPOTS
WESTERN AUSTRALIA	FREEMANTLE – Only 30 minutes from the city, but an old town full of vibrancy and colour, you can rely on a good drink at Sweetwater Rooftop Bar or the Little Creatures Brewery. PERTH – The city will continue to drive tourists, businesspeople, and families alike. Especially with the largest rooftop bar, The Aviary, or alongside the water at The Royal. SCARBOROUGH – Summer wouldn’t be summer without an Aussie beachside full of surfing, sunbaking, and clubbing. Scarborough will be no exception that venues like Scarborough Beach Bar and the Peach Pit pumping.

About Barcats

Barcats is a digital platform connecting hospitality venues with quality staff and jobseekers with the right training and support for their ideal role.

Launched in June 2017, it is one of the fastest growing hospitality networks across Australia and New Zealand and is well positioned to continue supporting and connecting the hospitality community, one job at a time.

It provides a range of training for mature workers, those looking to enter the industry, upskilling, management and more.

With more than 100,000 members of staff and close to 30,000 venues hooked up to the platform, Barcats is uniquely positioned to provide industry insights.

To start your hospitality job search, or training, visit: www.barcats.com.au

Facebook: Barcats.com.au
Instagram: @barcats_community

Case studies

Barcats has case studies of Australian businesses urgently in need of new workers this summer.

Media Relations

Adam Connolly 0417 170 084 aconnolly@apollo.sydney

Julie Snook 0409 169 836 jsnook@apollo.sydney

[1] Service with the ADF: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/service-australian-defence-force-census/latest-release#:~:text=Media%20releases-,Key%20statistics,and%20496%2C276%20former%20serving%20members

Melbourne's restaurants, pubs and cafes could be forced to close on days they normally operate this summer due to staff shortages.

Venue owners fear they won't be able to cater for the influx of patrons. @maggieraworth #9News pic.twitter.com/kIQZXroJ5e
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) October 10, 2022

ARMY OF HOSPITALITY WORKERS NEEDED THIS PARTY SEASON

Table 2: Party Season schedule