Food Counter Attendant Jobs in Australia For Foreigners 2026

Looking for a new adventure in Australia? A Food Counter Attendant role at Accor Hotels could be your perfect opportunity. This full-time, permanent position offers a competitive salary of AUD 15.34 per hour, requires no prior experience, and is entirely on-site, giving you a hands-on experience in the vibrant hospitality industry.

You’ll enjoy the chance to work flexible shifts including nights, weekends, and overtime while receiving free meals and medical coverage. It’s a role designed for those ready to dive straight into work, learn on the job, and be part of a team that values dedication and positivity.

Key Points:

• Job title: Counter Attendant.
• Country: Bali, Acre, Australia.
• Employer’s name: Accor Hotels
• Age limit: 18 onwards
• Mode of hiring: Documents Submissions review/ Short Interview.
• Salary Package: AUD 15.34 per hour.
• Working hours: 30 hours per week.
• Knowledge required: No
• Experience required: No but will be preferred.
• Free food: Yes
• Free transport: No.
• Free Accommodation: No.
• Free Medical: Yes
• Number of hiring: 1 M/F
• Job type: Permanent/Full-time.

Requirements:

Professional and Personal Requirements

• English Proficiency: Candidates must be fluent in English. This is crucial for effective communication with customers, colleagues, and management. For most visa types, this requires providing evidence of a certain level of English proficiency through an approved language test like IELTS.
• Relevant Experience and Skills: Although there is no minimum experience requirement for all positions, prior experience in the hospitality or culinary industry is highly preferred. Key skills include:
  • Customer Service: Strong communication and customer service skills are essential for interacting with customers, taking orders, and resolving any issues.
  • Food Service Techniques: Familiarity with serving food at buffets, counters, and tables is often required.
  • Adaptability: The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt to varying shifts, and quickly learn new procedures and workplace settings is vital.
  • Work Ethic: A strong work ethic, reliability, and a positive attitude are highly valued.
• Flexibility: Applicants must be willing to work varying shifts, including weekends and evenings, to meet the operational needs of the restaurant.

Immigration and Visa Requirements

• Work Authorization: The most critical requirement is to have the legal right to work in Australia. For foreign nationals, this is granted through a visa that includes work rights, such as a Working Holiday visa or an employer-sponsored visa. The employer’s sponsorship is what facilitates this process.
• Clean Criminal Record: Applicants must meet Australia’s character requirements. This generally means not having a significant criminal history. While the provided text suggests that someone with a criminal history may be employed according to state and federal regulations, a clean record is highly preferred and is a standard requirement for most Australian visas.
• Visa Type and Eligibility: The type of visa used for sponsorship depends on the specific job and the candidate’s circumstances. Some common employer-sponsored visas include:
  • Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482): This visa allows employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers for up to four years.
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494): This visa is for skilled workers who are sponsored by an employer in a designated regional area of Australia.

Responsibilities:

Customer Service and Order Management

• Greeting and Seating: Welcoming customers as they enter the establishment and, in some settings, showing them to their seats.
• Taking Orders: Taking customer orders at the counter, accurately inputting them into the point-of-sale (POS) system, and handling payment transactions.
• Explaining the Menu: Providing information about menu items, answering customer questions about ingredients, and making recommendations.
• Serving and Packaging: Serving the ordered food and beverages to customers at the counter or tables. For takeaway orders, the attendant is responsible for assembling, wrapping, or packing the food and ensuring the order is correct.

Food Preparation

• Simple Food Prep: Preparing, heating, and finishing simple food items like sandwiches, salads, hamburgers, or desserts. This may involve using equipment such as a deep fryer, grill, or microwave.
• Beverage Preparation: Preparing coffee and tea, such as milkshakes and juices.
• Stocking: Ensuring that drink refrigerators, salad bars, and confectionary bars are fully stocked and well-maintained throughout the shift. This also includes replenishing food at buffet tables.

Cleanliness and Maintenance

• Cleaning and Sanitation: Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and sanitation at the counter, around the tables, and in all serving areas. This includes wiping down surfaces and ensuring a hygienic environment.
• Dishwashing and Arrangement: Cleaning dishes, silverware, and other items to prepare them for reuse. This may involve using a dishwasher or washing by hand. The attendant is also responsible for arranging these items for serving.
• Replenishing Supplies: Taking care of and replenishing condiments (like salt, pepper, and sugar), napkins, and other supplies on tables and in serving areas as needed.
• Waste Management: Clearing tables of used dishes and disposing of trash properly.

Benefits :

• Competitive Wage Structure: Australia’s National Minimum Wage, which is $24.95 per hour, is far more than the advertised wage of $13.60 per hour. An industry award, like the Restaurant Industry Award, which establishes minimum wage rates and conditions, also covers the majority of food service positions.
• No Minimum Education or Experience: Lack of a minimum level of education or experience is a big plus, especially for applicants from outside. It enables those who are fresh to the workforce or seeking a career change to apply for the position. Employee growth is demonstrated by the employer’s readiness to offer training.
• Free Food during Meal Times: A typical benefit in the hotel sector is free food during mealtimes. It is an important non-monetary benefit that can significantly lower living expenses.
• Training Provided: One major advantage is the promise of training, which enables people without any prior experience to gain important knowledge about food safety, customer service, and food handling. In the hotel sector, this training may serve as a springboard to more senior positions.
• Life Insurance Policy: Although it is not typically provided for entry-level hospitality positions, a specific life insurance policy is a useful perk.
• Future Savings Plans: To assist staff members with long-term savings, certain businesses may provide access to financial counseling or superannuation (pension) contributions over the legally mandated minimum.
• Dental Check-ups: certain businesses may offer private health insurance that covers certain dental expenses, but monthly dental checkups are an uncommon and extremely substantial perk

Food Counter Attendant Visa Sponsorship Australia:

Many Australian employers in cafes, fast food outlets, and casual dining venues are looking for motivated workers to fill food counter attendant roles. While these positions are often considered entry-level, some may offer visa sponsorship under specific programs if you meet requirements such as:

• Relevant experience or willingness to learn
• English language proficiency
• Employer’s approved sponsorship status

Hospitality Visa Sponsorship Australia: What Are Your Options?

Australian hospitality businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and catering services, frequently sponsor overseas workers under visa categories such as

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 visa
• Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) for regional food service jobs
• Working Holiday visas for short-term entry-level work

Visa sponsorship generally requires a job offer from an approved employer who has met sponsorship obligations.

Food Service Worker TSS Visa Australia (Subclass 482):

The Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa allows employers to sponsor overseas workers to fill skilled vacancies that cannot be filled locally. For food service workers and related roles, this visa is available mostly through:

• Regional or Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
• Specific occupations listed in regional occupation lists

Applicants usually need at least two years of experience and meet English language standards.

Check Also: Fruit Picking Jobs in Appenzell Switzerland for Foreigners

DAMA Food Service Regional Jobs:

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) are regional labor agreements between the Australian government and regional employers to address skill shortages, including in hospitality and food service.

Key benefits of DAMA include:

• Lower English language requirements
• Access to occupations not on the national skilled occupation lists
• Easier pathways for visa sponsorship in regional areas

Many food counter attendant and hospitality jobs in regional Australia are available under DAMA schemes.

Entry-Level Hospitality Jobs Australia Visa:

For newcomers, entry-level hospitality jobs are accessible and often paired with working holiday visa options or employer sponsorship for longer stays.

Typical entry-level roles include:

• Food counter attendants
• Waitstaff and bartenders
• Kitchen hands and dishwashers

These jobs provide valuable Australian work experience and can be stepping stones to permanent residency pathways if you transition to employer-sponsored visas.

Working Holiday Food Service Australia:

The Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417 or 462) is popular among young travelers looking to gain experience in Australia’s hospitality sector.

Advantages include:

• Ability to work in food service, cafes, and restaurants
• Flexibility to travel and work for up to 12 months (with possible extension)
• Opportunity to qualify for a second-year working holiday visa by completing specified regional work, including hospitality roles

How to apply?

Apply Now

Conclusion:

A Food Counter Attendant role in Australia offers hands-on experience, flexible shifts, and competitive pay, even for those with no prior experience. Visa sponsorship options like Subclass 482 and DAMA make it accessible for international workers. This position is a perfect starting point to grow in hospitality while building a life in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions: