Hospitality and workplace English · English through Australian life
Your First Café Job in Australia: Useful English for New Staff
First-shift café phrases for greeting customers, asking a supervisor for help and communicating with colleagues.
Published 14/10/2026 · Updated 16/10/2026 · Educational guide
What you need to know
A first café shift can be busy. Polite, clear questions help you understand tasks and stay safe at work.
Ask who supervises the shift, where to find the roster, and what to do if you are unsure about a task. Do not guess at food safety procedures.
Pay, breaks and other entitlements depend on the applicable award and work circumstances. Different cafés can be covered by different awards.
Useful English phrases
- I'm here for my first shift. Who should I check in with?
- Could you please show me how to use the till?
- Sorry, could you repeat that more slowly?
- I'll check with my supervisor.
- Where can I find today's roster?
Real-life conversation practice
Supervisor: Welcome! Have you used this coffee machine before?
New staff member: Not this model. Could you show me the safe procedure?
Supervisor: Of course. We'll go through it together.
A longer conversation: your first morning at the café
Supervisor: Morning! You must be the new team member.
New staff member: Yes, I'm here for my first shift. Sorry, I'm a bit early.
Supervisor: No worries, early is great. Let's start with the kitchen. Do you have any questions so far?
New staff member: Yes, where should I put my bag and phone?
Supervisor: There's a staff area out the back. I'll show you.
New staff member: Thanks. Could you show me where the cleaning supplies are kept?
Supervisor: Sure. They're in that cupboard. Please ask before you use anything you don't know.
New staff member: Okay, I will. What should I do if the café gets really busy?
Supervisor: Just call out to the team and ask for help. We work together here.
New staff member: Got it. Sorry, could you say that last part again? I missed it.
Supervisor: Of course. If it's busy, ask for help early. Don't wait.
New staff member: Thanks, that makes sense. I'll do that.
- "No worries" is a friendly Australian way to say "that's fine" or "don't apologise". Use it to be relaxed, not careless.
- "Could you say that again?" is a safe way to check you heard correctly. It is better to ask than to guess.
- "Ask for help early" is a useful rule in busy workplaces. Teams usually prefer a quick question to a mistake.
More useful phrases
- Could you walk me through it?
- Could you explain it step by step while I watch?Use it: When you are learning a new task, like opening the café.
- Just so I understand, do you mean...?
- I want to check I understood your instruction.Use it: When an instruction is not completely clear.
- Behind you! / Coming through!
- A warning that you are walking close to someone, often with hot drinks or plates.Use it: In a busy kitchen or behind the counter, to stay safe.
- Do you need a hand?
- Can I help you? ("a hand" means help)Use it: When a colleague looks busy.
- Could I double-check that with you?
- I would like to confirm before I do it.Use it: When you are unsure and want to avoid a mistake.
- Is it okay if I take a moment to write that down?
- Can I pause so I can make a note?Use it: When you get a long set of instructions.
Common mistakes and better ways to say it
Less helpful: “I don't know.”
Try instead: “I'm not sure. Could you show me, please?”
Adding a request shows you want to learn, which supervisors usually appreciate.
Less helpful: “I will guess how to do it.”
Try instead: “I'd like to check how to do this first.”
Checking is safer than guessing, especially with equipment or food safety.
Less helpful: “Yes, yes.” (when you did not understand)
Try instead: “Sorry, could you say that again more slowly?”
Saying yes without understanding can cause mistakes. Asking again is normal and professional.
Less helpful: “That's not my job.”
Try instead: “I'm not sure if I should do that. Who should I check with?”
It keeps the tone helpful and lets the supervisor decide.
Asking questions shows you care
Many Australian workplaces are fairly relaxed and friendly. Colleagues often use first names, and supervisors usually expect new staff to ask questions. Asking does not mean you are weak at the job. It shows you want to do it properly.
In busy cafés, communication is often short and fast. Calls such as "Behind you!" or "Can I get a hand?" are about safety and teamwork, not rudeness. If something is unclear, ask your supervisor and follow your workplace's procedures. For questions about pay or conditions, do not guess. Use the official Fair Work links on this page.
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Try it yourself
Practise the conversation with a friend. Swap roles, use one new phrase, then ask a polite clarification question. Speak slowly first, then repeat at a natural pace.
Phrase Wall practice: use this phrase
Could you please show me how to do that?
Say the example aloud, then try it in a real conversation. Discover more useful phrases and save your favourites to My Learning.
Quick check
Think about each answer first, then open “Show answer”. This is a self-check, not a scored quiz.
1. You do not understand an instruction. What is the best thing to say?
- Yes, yes, no problem.
- Sorry, could you say that again more slowly?
- I will just try something.
Show answer
Answer: B. Sorry, could you say that again more slowly? Asking for repetition is polite and helps you avoid mistakes.
2. What does "Do you need a hand?" mean?
- Do you want me to help you?
- Do you want to wash your hands?
- Do you want to shake hands?
Show answer
Answer: A. Do you want me to help you? "A hand" is an informal word for help.
3. Why do staff say "Behind you!" in a busy café?
- To tell a joke
- To warn a colleague and stay safe
- To ask for a drink order
Show answer
Answer: B. To warn a colleague and stay safe It is a safety warning when someone is close, often while carrying hot drinks or plates.
4. You want to confirm a task before you do it. Which phrase fits best?
- Could I double-check that with you?
- Why are you telling me?
- I already know that.
Show answer
Answer: A. Could I double-check that with you? "Could I double-check that with you?" is polite and shows you want to be accurate.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to ask the same question twice?
Yes, if you need to. It is better to ask again than to guess. Writing short notes can help you remember.
What should I do if I do not understand a safety instruction?
Stop and ask your supervisor to explain it again or show you. Follow your workplace's procedures.
Can this lesson tell me my pay or break times?
No. Those depend on your situation and the applicable award or agreement. Ask your employer and see the official Fair Work links on this page.
Is "No worries" too casual at work?
It is common in friendly Australian cafés. If you are unsure, "That's fine, thanks" is a polite, simple reply.
Keep exploring
See it in a real Australian story
Chatsifieds Phrase Wall
Take two useful phrases into real Australian conversation.
Practise these related phrases, learn what they mean and build confidence before you use them in real life.
Printable practice
Worksheet for this unit: Working in a café
Practise the words and phrases from this lesson on paper. The worksheet is made only from lesson material, and teachers can use the answer key and teacher pack.
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Continue learning
- Café English hub
- How to order coffee in Australia
- Café workplace English
- Australian Café Surcharges and Payments: English Guide (2026)
- How to Take a Customer’s Coffee Order in English
- Your First Busy Café Shift: Teamwork and Workplace English
- Handling Customer Complaints in an Australian Café: Polite English
Official Australian references
These independent authorities provide the underlying regulatory or safety guidance. Links are external references, not sponsorships or endorsements.
This is an English-learning article. For current legal, workplace or health requirements, follow the linked official guidance and your organisation's procedures.