Running a café, restaurant, or catering business is demanding enough without the added stress of navigating complex workplace laws. From award interpretations and wage compliance to managing leave entitlements and rostering, workplace relations (IR) issues can quickly become time-consuming, confusing, and costly if handled incorrectly.
As we head into the final stretch of the year, you may be asking staff to work extra hours, juggling public holidays, or onboarding new team members. This is exactly when getting IR right matters most.
Industrial Relations (IR) covers everything to do with managing your team under Australia’s workplace laws — including awards, pay rates, penalties, and contracts.
In hospitality, where casual and part-time work is common, a small mistake can have big consequences — from back-pay claims and fines to reputational damage.
With frequent award updates and Fair Work rulings, staying compliant is a challenge — but it’s one you don’t have to face alone.
R&CA members have access to our free in-house Industrial Relations team, which is ready to provide clear, practical advice tailored to the hospitality industry.
We can help with:
Award coverage (HIGA, GRIA, FFIA or RIA)
Overtime, allowances, and public holiday rates
Hiring, onboarding, and contracts
Terminations, redundancies, and leave entitlements
Our advisors deal with these issues every day — so you can make decisions confidently, confidentially, and keep your business protected.
To make compliance easier, members can access a dedicated IR and HR portal with everything you need to manage staff correctly:
Employment contracts and onboarding templates
Policies and procedures suited to hospitality operations
Up-to-date wage tables (effective 1 July each year)
Step-by-step guides for HR and compliance management
Best practice templates for everyday use
Whether you’re rostering for summer, managing overtime, or recruiting new staff, these tools make it simpler to stay compliant and in control.
Having R&CA’s IR experts on your side means you’re never left guessing. Our team supports hundreds of operators each month, helping to resolve issues before they escalate and ensuring members stay on the right side of the law.
It’s one of the most valued benefits of membership and the best safeguard for any foodservice business heading into the busy season.
Need support or have a question?
Call our R&CA IR Team on 1300 722 878 or log in to the Member Portal to access wage tables, templates, and HR resources. As a member, please use your membership email address. If you cannot remember your password, you can reset it.