What It’s Really Like Working as a Bartender in Australia (After Your First 30 Days)

When I arrived in Australia, I thought the hardest part of bartending would be finding a job.
I was wrong.

Finding work was easy. Understanding what was actually expected — and what was actually true — once I started working took a lot longer.

After my first 30 days bartending in Australia, here’s the honest reality most people don’t talk about.

Finding a Bartending Job Is Easy — Keeping a Good One Is Harder

Australia is constantly looking for bartenders. If you have experience, especially in busy venues, you’ll likely get interviews quickly.

Most places will ask for one trial shift.
In my experience, this trial is almost always unpaid — and never more than one shift.

It’s presented as:

“Just one trial so we can see how you fit in.”

That’s normal here. What matters is what comes after.

Most Venues Are Understaffed — And That Affects Everything

One thing I noticed very quickly:
Many venues are permanently understaffed.

Not because there aren’t bartenders — but because labour costs are high, and venues try to operate with the smallest team possible.

What that means for you:

You’re often covering multiple roles
Shifts can be intense and exhausting
Promised hours are not guaranteed, even if they say they are

I was told more than once:

“Yeah, you’ll get plenty of hours.”

Reality?
Hours changed weekly. Some weeks were great. Others dropped suddenly — without warning.

Be Careful: Pay, Hours & Even the Venue Can Be Misrepresented

This is something I really want to be honest about.

I personally experienced situations where:

The pay rate was different from what was discussed
The number of hours changed after starting
The role itself turned out to be very different from what was advertised
The venue culture wasn’t what was promised

Not every place does this — but it happens often enough that you need to be cautious.

My advice:

Always ask for pay rates in writing
Clarify casual vs full-time
Ask how many hours you realistically get now, not “in busy season”

Speed Matters More Than Cocktail Skills

In most Australian venues, speed beats creativity.

You’re valued more for:

Handling pressure
Moving fast
Being reliable
Covering shifts when needed

Cocktail skills are appreciated, but in many places they’re secondary. High-volume service is the priority.

Doing Supervisor Work Without Supervisor Pay (Very Common)

This is one of the biggest issues.

Many venues will pay you as a Level 3 bartender but expect you to:

Train new staff
Do stock takes
Order supplies
Clean beer lines
Close the venue
Handle problems on shift

Meanwhile, other bartenders with less experience might:

Do far less
Carry less responsibility
Get paid the same rate

This is extremely common in understaffed venues and something you need to watch closely.

Supervisor Level Often Means “Basically the Manager”

Once you step into a Level 5 / Bar Supervisor role, expectations increase massively.

In many places, you’re expected to:

Order stock
Do rostering
Create new drink menus and specials
Train staff
Manage shifts and problems

In reality, you’re often doing most of a manager’s job, just without the official title — and sometimes without fair compensation.

The Good Side: Why Bartending in Australia Is Still Worth It

Despite all this, there are real positives:

Jobs are easy to find
You can move locations easily
Pay is good compared to many countries
Casual work gives flexibility
Amazing lifestyle locations (beach towns, sunshine, travel)

If you find a good venue, bartending in Australia can be incredibly rewarding.

My Honest Advice After 30 Days

If you’re coming to Australia as a bartender:

Don’t trust verbal promises — get clarity early
Know the award levels and your responsibilities
Don’t take on extra work without extra pay
Be ready to walk away — there’s always another bar
Protect your time, energy, and value

Final Thoughts

Bartending in Australia offers opportunity — but not guarantees.

If you stay aware, ask the right questions, and don’t undervalue yourself, it can be one of the best places in the world to work behind a bar.

Just don’t go in blind.

Liquid – Atlas