Top 5 in-demand hospitality jobs
If you love the world of food, travel and events, chase your passion!
There’s never been a better time to dive into hospitality, with plenty of demand for new workers, some great money to be earned and a variety of roles available.
From chefs to hotel managers, here are 5 jobs in high demand across the hospitality industry.
1. Pastry chefs & bakers
Shape your path to sweet success as a pastry chef. With artisanal breads, custom cakes and delectable desserts rising in popularity, skilled pastry chefs and bakers are needed more than ever.
If you’re looking for a job where you can flex both your creative and technical prowess, the world of baked goods might just be for you!
What to study
Studying a Certificate III in Patisserie SIT31021 is a great way to kick off your career as a pastry chef and carve out your unique niche in the culinary world.
2. Hospitality managers
Nurture your leadership skills and guide hospitality businesses to success. A skilled manager can make all the difference when running a restaurant, cafe, bar or venue.
A good hospitality manager means happy customers, positive reviews, plenty of foot traffic, satisfied staff and smooth business operations: it’s no wonder they’re in high demand today!
What to study
Equip yourself with practical skills you need to succeed in the hospitality industry with a Diploma of Hospitality Management SIT50422. This course is also free to eligible students*
Get specialised skills to lead with an Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management SIT60322 and turn your passion into a thriving career.
*Student services and materials fees still apply.
3. Chefs & cooks
Craft culinary masterpieces and jump into a creative, fast-paced career. If you've got a passion for food, becoming a chef means every plate and bowl can be your canvas.
You’ll have no shortage of incredible opportunities, from catering work that takes you anywhere to high-end restaurants where you can flex your artistic flair and culinary skills.
What to study
Get started as a chef with a course like the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery SIT30821, where you’ll learn everything you need to know about cooking professionally.
You can also train yourself up for a leadership role by studying the Certificate IV in Kitchen Management SIT40521, where you’ll advance your skills and prepare to manage your own kitchen.
4. Hotel operations managers
Orchestrate incredible experiences as part of the rapidly growing tourism industry. With more people travelling than ever before, accommodation businesses worldwide are looking for skilled new talent.
As a hotel operations manager, you’ll oversee everything from guest services to staffing, finances, catering and marketing.
What to study
If you’re ready for a dynamic career that could take you anywhere in the world, take your first steps with an Associate Degree in Hospitality and Hotel Management.
5. Event planners
Build an exciting career organising private and commercial events, from weddings to corporate functions. As a skilled event planner, you’ll help everything run smoothly on the big day using your attention to detail, creativity and organisation skills.
What to study
By studying a Diploma of Event Management SIT50322, you can get a detailed understanding of how to put events together successfully from conception to on-site operations.
Average salaries across the hospitality industry
Want to learn how much you could earn across different jobs in hospitality? Below are some of the average salary ranges for in-demand hospitality roles in Australia.
Role | Average salary in Australia |
Pastry chefs and bakers | $72,500 |
Hospitality manager | $85,000 |
Chef | $75,000 |
Cook | $72,500 |
Hotel manager | $88,000 |
Event planner | $78,000 |
[source: Seek 2025]
Remember that jobs in hospitality can vary hugely. This means your earnings can too. It all depends on things like your specific role, experience level, speciality and the type, size and location of the business you work for.
There are opportunities to earn more as you move up through the ranks or find ways to innovate and attract new customers as a business owner.
Study a hospitality course at VU
At Victoria University (VU), we’re here to help you shape your unique career in hospitality. We have a wide range of courses available to suit every culinary passion. You'll also have the opportunity to experience working in a commercial kitchen at VU's on-campus training restaurant, VenU.
You may also be able to use any previous experience through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
