The capital of the state of Queensland, and the third most populated city in urban Australia, Brisbane ranked 16th in a survey of the most livable cities in the world, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2009.
With such a mix of residents and tourists, the city offers diverse employment options to an RSA certified person. While tourist destinations and festivals would be a good place for temporary placements, locations in the business hub of Brisbane are also worth considering for job seekers looking for day shifts.
For people who want to build a career in the hospitality sector, Brisbane has a variety of fine-dining restaurants, high-end night clubs and picturesque wineries and breweries. These are places that can lead to long-term employment and potential higher salaries for the right candidates.
Tourist Hot Spots for Day Jobs
Brisbane is the third most-visited Australian city, after Sydney and Melbourne. With a RSA certificate, job seekers can try their luck at one of the many tourist hot spots around the city. Peak tourist season, in particular, sees a higher demand for qualified servers in these places.
Some of Brisbane’s famous landmarks that draw thousands of international travelers annually include:
- South Bank Parklands
- Roma Street Parkland
- City Botanic Gardens
- Brisbane Forest Park
- Portside Wharf
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- The Australia Zoo (up the road a bit :-))
The Brisbane central business district (CBD) is somewhat staid when it comes to nightlife. Those preferring daytime employment, however, can look into the CBD’s Queen Street Mall eateries for a laid-back, informal atmosphere.
Nightlife Jobs
Brisbane boasts a wide variety of night clubs, pubs and bars that contribute to its vibrant nightlife. With an RSA certificate for the state, finding a job in the hospitality sector should not be a problem for anyone, whether looking for a temporary or seasonal position, or hoping to make a career in the industry.
In terms of nocturnal revelries, the bars and pubs in the city are spread throughout its urban sprawl. Some good starting points for nightlife jobs include the following areas:
- The Valley
- New Farm
- West End
- South Bank
- Milton
- Kangaroo Point
Some older buildings in the city have been redone to accommodate larger nightclubs, including many of the city’s historic hotels—Normanby, Manly, Story Bridge, Caxton, Regatta and the Victory. All of these locations should definitely be included in your job hunt.
Fine Dining & Festivals
Venues offering a river cruise are a popular outing for residents as well as a must-do on the list of every tourist. Their popularity alone makes this a good place to start your job search. There are always drinks on the deck, ready for a leisurely trip along the Brisbane River. For river cruises, servers as well as staff have to be RSA certified, as mandated by both the federal and state law.
Brisbane also has a calendar full of events and festivals throughout the year. These types of events offer numerous opportunities to find a temporary position staffing the many food and beverage kiosks catering the events.
Those seeking placement at a classy joint would benefit from applying to one of the riverside restaurants. The views of the river from these places are breathtaking and they are welcoming of new staff with a cultured air. The Eagle Street Pier is an example of a classy destination including several award-winning fine-dining restaurants. For ambitious sommeliers, this would be the place to start the job search.
Breweries and Wineries
Aspiring servers and staff with an RSA certificate can also find good jobs at the breweries and wineries available within short distances from the city. Notable names favoured by both visitors and resident connoisseurs of quality alcohol include:
- Breakfast Creek Hotel
- Carlton Brewhouse, Yalata
- Ironpark Ridge
- Mosquito Creek
- Sirromet Wines
- Oceanview Estates Vineyard and Winery
- Warrego Wines