Breweries manufacture alcoholic drinks.
They can supply manufactured beverages to businesses such as:
- restaurants
- pubs
- hotels
- bottle shops
To work out whether an award covers an employee of a brewery it's important to consider:
- the specific duties and qualifications of the employee
- the industry or industries their employer operates in
- where the work is performed
The Food and Beverage Manufacturing Award covers breweries that primarily produce alcoholic beverages for wholesale consumption. Employees will be covered if there is an appropriate classification that covers their duties and qualifications.
Brewing employees selling beverages from the brewing establishment
A brewery may have a small retail operation where a customer can purchase beverages at the end of their visit.
Brewing employees that sell items directly to the public as a small part of their duties can be covered by the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Award.
Example:
Olvia works at Mills and Booze Brewery (MBB) on the production floor, checking the quality and consistency of the completed product.
She has a certificate III in Food Processing.
MBB sometimes receives tour groups to observe the production process.
When the tour is completed, Olvia comes off the production floor to sell beverages and other souvenir items to the tour group.
Olvia is covered by the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Award. She is classified as a Level 5 employee.
Non-brewing employees selling beverages from the brewing establishment
Restaurants
The Restaurant Award can cover breweries if the brewing establishment also operates in the restaurant industry.
For example, a brewery could have a dedicated space where customers can sit and order a meal. Drinks may be served as a part of the dining experience.
An employee working in a restaurant attached to a brewery can be covered by the Restaurant Award if there is an appropriate classification for their role.
Their classification will depend on their duties and qualifications.
Example:
Killian works at a restaurant called Pan and Hook. It is attached to the Pan and Hook Brewery.
The restaurant is covered by the Restaurant Industry Award.
Killian works as a server in the restaurant. He is employed to promote the beer produced by the brewery and recommend menu pairings to customers with a focus on the dining experience.
Killian has a Certificate III in Hospitality.
He is covered by the Restaurant Award and is classified as a food and beverage attendant grade 3.
Pubs, taverns and bars
The Hospitality Award can cover breweries if the brewing establishment also operates in the hospitality industry.
For example, a brewery could operate a bar or pub attached to the brewing establishment to highlight the beverages they are producing. Light snacks or meals may also be served.
An employee working in a pub or bar which is attached to a brewery can be covered by the Hospitality Award if there is an appropriate classification for their role.
Their classification will depend on their duties and qualifications.
Example:
Cade works at Cakes and Ale, a bar establishment attached to the Ale Wyf Brewery.
The bar stocks beers made onsite. Customers can order the beers on tap along with some light snacks.
The bar is covered by the Hospitality Award.
Cade works as a liquor service employee behind the bar. His main duties are taking drink orders and making drink recommendations to customers. He holds an RSA but no other qualification.
He is classified as a food and beverage attendant grade 2 under the Hospitality Award.
Take away beverages
Employees of breweries can be covered by the Fast Food Award if their employer is operating in the fast food industry and there is a classification that covers their duties.
Gift shops and cellar doors
Employees primarily engaged as retail employees at the brewing establishment will be covered by the Miscellaneous Award.
This is because:
- there is no classification for retail staff under the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Award
- the Retail Award does not cover retail activities conducted from a manufacturing or processing establishment
Example:
Carmina has worked in the cellar door of a brewery called Scurvy Seed Beer for the last 6 months.
The business is covered by the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Award.
Carmina's main duties are greeting customres and providing small samples of the beer produced onsite to make sales.
As the Retail Award does not cover retail operations undertaken from a production establishment, Carmina is covered by the Miscellaneous Award.
She is classified as a Level 2 employee as she has been with the business for more than 3 months and has no other qualification.
Non-brewing employees selling beverages away from the production establishment
Some breweries will operate retail spaces away from the production establishment such as weekly market stalls or a stand-alone shop.
Employees that primarily work for breweries in this capacity are covered by the Retail Award.
What to do next
- Use our Pay and Conditions Tool to calculate pay rates, allowances and penalty rates (including overtime).
- Not sure this is your award? Use Find my award to find out which award applies to you.
- Get help with pay.
- Find out about Other workplace relations help