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Industry Resources
Workplace Relations & Industry Support for Australian Foodservice Operators
Running a restaurant, café, or catering business means navigating complex employment obligations, changing regulations, and an industry that never stands still. R&CA is here to support operators through all of it.
Who we are
The national voice for hospitality
Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) is the national industry body representing over 57,000 cafés, restaurants, and caterers nationwide — from local independents and family venues to major restaurant groups and large-scale caterers.
Established in 1922, R&CA has grown into the leading association for the sector, dedicated to practical support, evidence-based advocacy, and building a stronger operating environment for all foodservice businesses.
Whether you're dealing with a Fair Work matter, trying to understand your award obligations, or looking for resources to run a stronger business — R&CA is your first call.
Our impact
What R&CA does for the sector
The café, restaurant, and catering sector generates over $40.4 billion in retail turnover each year and employs 350,000 people. R&CA supports this industry through:
Advocacy — engaging government and regulators on the issues that affect your business
Industrial relations support — expert advice on workplace regulations, award rates, and compliance
Training and education — nationally recognised programs to upskill your team
Recognition — celebrating excellence through the Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence
Award obligations
Which award covers my business?
Most hospitality businesses in Australia operate under one of two Modern Awards. Choosing the wrong award — or misinterpreting the right one — is one of the most common and costly compliance mistakes in the sector.
Hospitality Industry (General) Award
Covers hotels, motels, resorts, pubs, taverns, caravan parks, and some catering businesses. Sets the minimum pay rates and employment conditions for workers in those settings.
Restaurant Industry Award
Covers restaurants, cafés, and some catering operations. Includes specific provisions for casual, part-time, and full-time employees, as well as penalty rates, overtime, and allowances.
How to interpret your award
Award interpretation involves more than checking a pay rate. Follow these steps:
Confirm which award applies
Check the coverage clause of the relevant award against your business type and the specific employee's role.
Identify the correct classification
Classification is based on actual duties performed — not job title. Go to Schedule A (Classification Structure) and match duties to the description.
Determine employment type
Different rules apply depending on whether the employee is full-time, part-time, or casual. Conditions vary significantly.
Read relevant clauses together
Penalty rates, overtime, allowances, and ordinary hours all interact. Don't rely on a single clause in isolation.
Check for recent updates
Awards are reviewed regularly by the Fair Work Commission. Wage rates change annually — usually from 1 July.
Need help interpreting your award?
R&CA members have direct access to our workplace relations team.
Fair Work support
Getting help with Fair Work issues
Fair Work matters — whether it's an underpayment concern, a dispute with a team member, or a question about entitlements — can be stressful and time-consuming to navigate alone.
R&CA members have direct access to our in-house workplace relations specialists. Not a call centre. Not generic advice. Practical, industry-specific guidance from people who understand how foodservice businesses operate.
Common Fair Work issues for operators
Pay rates & penalty rates
Calculating correct rates including overtime and weekend penalties
Casual conversion
Understanding when casual employees must be offered permanent roles
Leave entitlements
Annual leave, personal leave, parental leave obligations
Performance & termination
Managing underperformance and ending employment correctly
Unfair dismissal
Responding to claims and Fair Work Commission proceedings
Right of entry
Understanding union obligations and your rights as an employer
Industry advocacy
The biggest issues facing restaurants in Australia right now
The foodservice sector is facing a challenging operating environment. R&CA actively advocates on the issues that matter most to operators.
Wage & cost pressures
Minimum wage increases, superannuation changes, and rising input costs are squeezing margins across the sector. R&CA represents operator interests in Fair Work Commission proceedings and in policy discussions with government.
Labour shortages
Finding and retaining skilled staff remains one of the most significant challenges in hospitality. R&CA advocates for visa and migration settings that support the industry and provides training pathways through the R&CA Training Academy.
Regulatory burden
Food safety compliance, liquor licensing, planning requirements, and council regulations place significant administrative load on operators. R&CA works with state and federal governments to reduce unnecessary burden.
Cost of doing business
Energy costs, insurance, and supply chain pressures continue to affect viability across the sector. R&CA partners with trusted industry suppliers to offer members meaningful savings.
How R&CA advocates for you
R&CA engages directly with federal and state governments, the Fair Work Commission, and industry bodies to represent the interests of restaurant, café, and catering operators. We provide formal submissions on policy matters, participate in industry working groups, and ensure operator voices are heard in decisions that affect your business. Our advocacy is informed by data from operators — including our annual benchmarking surveys — so what we present to government reflects the real experience of running a foodservice business in Australia.
Membership
Why foodservice operators join R&CA
An industry association provides something individual businesses can't create on their own — collective voice, shared expertise, and access to resources that would otherwise cost significant time and money to access independently.
Compliance confidence
Expert workplace relations support so you can focus on running your business, not second-guessing your obligations.
Advocacy
Your membership funds representation at the highest levels of government and the Fair Work Commission.
Member savings
Exclusive deals with industry partners across insurance, equipment, technology, and services.
Training
Discounted access to accredited courses through the R&CA Training Academy — food safety, leadership, and more.
Awards for Excellence
Eligibility to enter Australia's most prestigious hospitality awards program and gain national recognition.
Industry network
Connection with peers, suppliers, and industry leaders across Australia through events and programs.
Ready to get the support your business deserves?
Thousands of Australian operators already have R&CA in their corner. Whether you're a single-venue independent or a multi-site group, membership gives you the tools, advice, and advocacy to run a stronger business.
Or email us at membership@rca.asn.au — we'll get back to you within one business day.