How to Write a Cafe Job Ad (With Template)

Why many cafe job ads get ignored

Many cafe ads are only one line long. They say something like 'Barista wanted, experience preferred, apply within.' That tells a good person very little, so they may keep scrolling.

Think about what a decent barista is asking when they read an ad. Will I earn enough? Can I actually work those hours? Is this place going to be a nightmare? Answer those three questions in the first few lines and you're likely to get better applicants, and fewer time-wasters.

Put the pay and hours up front

Show the pay in the ad. Some good people skip any job that doesn't list it, because they assume it's below what they're worth. Hiding it can also mean you spend more phone calls answering the same question.

• Check the award rate for the role on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. Many cafes fall under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award (MA000009), but not all of them. Confirm whether an award covers your business and role, and check your classification, casual loading, penalty rates and allowances. If no award applies, you still must pay at least the national minimum wage.
• Say whether it's casual, part-time or full-time. If you pay super, state the rate, which must be at least the current Superannuation Guarantee rate (12% from 1 July 2025). Check the ATO for any changes. Mention any paid training if you offer it.
• Give the days and rough hours, like 'weekday mornings, 6am to 1pm, plus one weekend shift a month'. Be honest. If the rostering changes week to week, say so.
• Mention the start date if you have one. 'Start ASAP' is fine, but a date is clearer.

If your pay sits above award, say that too. It can help your ad stand out.

Describe the vibe honestly

Many cafes say they have a 'fun, friendly team'. Applicants have heard it before. Instead, describe what actually happens on a Saturday at 8am.

• How many people are on the floor and in the kitchen at peak?
• What's the coffee volume roughly like, and is it a steady grind or a few quiet hours?
• Who are the regulars, and is there a family feel, a hipster crowd, or tradies coming in before work?
• What do you do for the team, like staff meals, a shift drink, or a training budget?

Being straight about a tough busy shift may sound off-putting, but it helps filter out the wrong people. Someone who loves a hectic bar will likely apply. Someone who wants a slow morning is more likely to opt out before wasting your time.

Must-haves versus nice-to-haves

Be strict about the must-haves and relaxed about the rest. Long lists of requirements shrink your applicant pool, and some good people won't apply unless they tick every box.

Must-haves are things the job can't work without. Keep this list to three to five items:

• A valid Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate, if the role involves serving alcohol. RSA is run by each state and territory, and certificates and course requirements differ, so check the rules for your state or territory through your local liquor regulator. Say whether you'll help them get one.
• Food safety training, if required. Food safety law and training requirements (such as food handler or food safety supervisor) vary by state and territory. Check the food safety authority for your state or territory, as it sets the rules for your premises.
• Availability for the rostered shifts. This is often the biggest factor in cafes.
• Right to work in Australia. You can ask for evidence at interview, not in the ad. Before the person starts work, you must verify their right to work, for example through the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system.

Nice-to-haves are things you can teach. Put these in a separate line, like 'Coffee experience is a bonus, we'll train the right attitude.' Many baristas can learn your bar, and attitude can be harder to change.

Fill-in template for your cafe job ad

Copy this, fill in the square brackets, and delete anything that doesn't apply.

[Role title] at [Cafe name], [Suburb]

About us: [Two or three honest sentences. What kind of cafe, how busy, who comes in.]

The role: [What they'll do day to day, like coffee, food prep, opening or closing duties.]

Pay: [Pay rate or range, casual/part-time/full-time, super, and any penalty rates or extras.]

Hours: [Days, rough start and finish times, and how rosters are set.]

What you need:

• [Must-have 1]
• [Must-have 2]
• [Must-have 3]

Bonus if you have: [One or two nice-to-haves.]

What we offer: [Training, staff meals, shift drinks, career path, anything real.]

How to apply: [Email, phone, or link. Say what to include, like a short note on why they want the job. Give a closing date if you have one.]

Where to post it and how to follow up

Post the ad where your people look. Job boards that focus on hospitality may reach cafe staff faster than general sites. StaffSearch AI is one option for hospitality and trades roles across Australia, and it's worth checking alongside your local Facebook groups and a sign in the window.

1. Reply to applicants promptly. Responding within a day or two is good practice, though it's advice, not a legal requirement.
2. Shortlist quickly. Good people often receive offers from other cafes fast.
3. If you use a trial shift, it must be paid if the person does real work, at least the award rate or minimum wage that applies, whether or not it's part of the hiring process. Don't treat unpaid trials as an option.
4. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman site for the rules on trial shifts and employment paperwork before you hire.