Whether you are a student looking for your first job, a parent wanting flexible work hours that fit around school pick-up, or an experienced hospitality professional ready for a management role — Red Rooster careers in Australia offer more than most people realise.
With over 360 stores across the country and a parent company that also owns Oporto and Chicken Treat, Red Rooster is one of Australia’s largest fast food employers. The brand has been part of Australian food culture since 1972, and that longevity means the people who work there are part of something with deep roots in local communities nationwide.
This complete guide covers every Red Rooster job role available in 2026, current pay rates under the Fast Food Industry Award, the employee benefits package, step-by-step application instructions, interview tips, career progression pathways, and honest answers to every question you might have before applying.
Why Work at Red Rooster?
Before looking at specific roles and salaries, it helps to understand what Red Rooster actually offers as an employer — and why over 10,000 Australians choose to work there every year.
It is genuinely accessible. Most entry-level Red Rooster jobs require no previous experience. The brand trains you from day one, which makes it one of the best options for first-time job seekers, school leavers, and people returning to the workforce after a break.
It works around your life. Red Rooster is widely regarded as one of the more student-friendly fast food employers in Australia. The stores operate seven days a week across extended hours, which means rosters can be built around your study schedule, family commitments, or other work.
It offers real progression. This is one of the most underrated aspects of working at Red Rooster. Many of the brand’s current store managers and area managers started as crew members behind the counter. The internal promotion pathway from crew member to shift supervisor to assistant manager to restaurant manager is a well-worn track that the company actively supports.
It is Australian-owned. Red Rooster sits under Craveable Brands Ltd., an Australian company. Working for Red Rooster means working for an Australian business with Australian values around workplace standards, rather than a foreign-owned multinational.
You have access to a broader career network. Because Craveable Brands also owns Oporto and Chicken Treat, working at Red Rooster opens up career opportunities across all three brands, as well as the Restaurant Support Centre where corporate and head office roles are based.
Red Rooster Jobs Roles: Every Position Explained
Red Rooster employs people across five main levels within each restaurant, plus a range of corporate and support roles at the broader Craveable Brands level. Here is a clear breakdown of every role.
1. Crew Member
Crew members are the foundation of every Red Rooster restaurant. They are the people who prepare the food, serve customers at the counter, work the drive-thru window, and keep the restaurant clean and running smoothly during every shift.
What a crew member does day to day:
- Taking customer orders at the counter or drive-thru
- Preparing and cooking menu items including roast chicken, fried chicken, rolls, burgers, and sides
- Packaging orders accurately and efficiently
- Maintaining cleanliness across the kitchen, counter, and dining areas
- Restocking ingredients and supplies during shifts
- Handling cash and card payments at the register
Who it suits: Crew member roles are ideal for first-time job seekers, high school and university students, and anyone who wants flexible part-time or casual hours. No prior experience is needed — Red Rooster provides full on-the-job training from your very first shift.
Employment type: Available as casual, part-time, or full-time depending on the store’s needs. Casual is the most common starting point, giving you flexibility while you settle into the role.
2. Team Member
The team member role at Red Rooster is essentially a broader version of the crew member position. Team members work across multiple areas of the restaurant — kitchen prep, front counter, drive-thru, and general operations — and are often the people who become go-to reliable staff members that shift supervisors trust.
Who it suits: Team member positions suit people who have spent a few months in a crew member role and have shown they can handle multiple tasks at once. It is a natural step up that comes with slightly more responsibility but does not yet require leadership duties.
3. Store Crew Casual
Store crew casuals are part-time or on-call employees who fill in shifts based on the restaurant’s needs — busy periods, sick day cover, school holiday rushes, and public holiday trading. This flexible arrangement suits students and people with other commitments who cannot commit to a fixed weekly schedule but want to work regularly when available.
4. Shift Supervisor
The shift supervisor role is the first true leadership position in the Red Rooster career ladder. Shift supervisors are responsible for managing the restaurant during their shift — overseeing the crew, ensuring food quality standards are met, handling customer concerns, managing cash at the start and end of shift, and keeping operations running on time and on budget.
What a shift supervisor does:
- Opening or closing the restaurant depending on their shift
- Managing the crew roster and assigning stations
- Handling customer complaints professionally and efficiently
- Ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are maintained throughout the shift
- Counting and reconciling cash at shift changeover
- Communicating any operational issues to the restaurant manager
Who it suits: Shift supervisor roles suit people who have at least 6 to 12 months of crew experience, have shown leadership potential, and are ready to take on more accountability. This is where the career really starts to accelerate.
5. Assistant Manager
Assistant managers support the restaurant manager in running the store’s day-to-day operations. They step up to full restaurant management when the manager is away, and they are actively involved in staff scheduling, inventory control, training new crew members, and ensuring the overall performance of the store.
What an assistant manager does:
- Managing staff rosters and shift scheduling
- Overseeing stock levels and ordering supplies
- Training and coaching new team members and crew
- Handling customer escalations that go beyond shift supervisor level
- Monitoring key performance metrics including sales, waste, and speed of service
- Deputising for the restaurant manager when required
Who it suits: Assistant manager positions are typically filled through internal promotion from shift supervisor, though the brand does recruit externally for candidates with proven hospitality or retail management experience. Strong communication skills, leadership ability, and a solid understanding of Red Rooster’s operational standards are essential.
6. Restaurant Manager (Store Manager)
The restaurant manager is the most senior leadership role within a single Red Rooster location. They are fully accountable for the store’s performance — including profit and loss, staffing, training, customer satisfaction, health and safety compliance, and hitting sales targets.
Key responsibilities:
- Full profit and loss accountability for the restaurant
- Building and leading a high-performing team
- Hiring, training, and developing staff at all levels
- Managing relationships with suppliers and the franchise network
- Implementing new products, promotions, and menu changes from head office
- Maintaining Red Rooster’s brand standards across food quality, presentation, and customer service
Who it suits: Restaurant manager roles are best suited to experienced hospitality professionals with a proven track record of leading teams and managing operational performance. Internal candidates who have progressed through the shift supervisor and assistant manager pathway are strongly considered, as are external candidates with comparable experience from other fast food or hospitality businesses.
7. Corporate and Support Centre Roles (Craveable Brands)
Beyond individual restaurants, Craveable Brands — the parent company of Red Rooster, Oporto, and Chicken Treat — employs professionals across a range of corporate functions from its Sydney-based Restaurant Support Centre.
Current and recurring corporate roles include:
- Marketing and Brand — Campaign management, social media, digital marketing, and brand strategy across the Craveable Brands portfolio
- Finance and Accounting — Financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, and commercial analysis
- Human Resources — Talent acquisition, learning and development, employee relations, and workforce planning
- Operations and Franchise Support — Working with franchise partners to improve restaurant performance and consistency
- Technology and Digital — Managing the Red Royalty app, online ordering platform, and digital infrastructure
- Supply Chain and Procurement — Ingredient sourcing, supplier management, and logistics
- Legal and Compliance — Franchise law, regulatory affairs, and risk management
Corporate roles are advertised through SEEK, LinkedIn, and the official Craveable Brands careers page.
Red Rooster Salaries & Pay Rates 2026
This is the section most job seekers want to know about, so here are the real, verified figures based on the Fast Food Industry Award and current salary data from Glassdoor, Indeed, and Fair Work Mate.
Award Rates Under the Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003)
Red Rooster crew members are covered by the Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003), which sets the legal minimum hourly rates that the brand — and its franchisees — must pay. As of 1 July 2025, the adult minimum rates under this award are:
| Classification | Permanent Rate (per hour) | Casual Rate (per hour, +25%) |
| Level 1 (Crew — counter, kitchen, drive-thru) | $24.73 | $30.91 |
| Level 2 (Experienced crew / crew trainer) | $25.34 | $31.68 |
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, these rates are expected to increase by approximately 4.75% in line with the annual Fair Work Commission review.
Junior Pay Rates (Under 18s)
Junior employees earn a percentage of the adult Level 1 rate based on their age. Red Rooster is legally required to increase your pay automatically from the first pay period after your birthday — so if you turn 18 or move into a higher age bracket, make sure your payslip reflects the correct rate.
| Age | Percentage of Adult Rate |
| 15 years | 36.8% |
| 16 years | 47.3% |
| 17 years | 57.8% |
| 18 years | 68.3% |
| 19 years | 82.5% |
| 20 years | 97.7% |
| 21+ years | Full adult rate (100%) |
Weekend and Public Holiday Penalty Rates
Working weekends and public holidays increases your pay significantly under the Fast Food Industry Award. Here is what permanent Level 1 employees are entitled to:
| Day / Time | Penalty Rate |
| Monday – Friday (standard) | Base rate (100%) |
| Saturday | 125% of base rate |
| Sunday | 150% of base rate |
| Public Holidays | 250% of base rate |
| After midnight (late shifts) | Additional penalty loading applies |
Casual employees get even higher Sunday and public holiday rates — 175% on Sundays and 250% on public holidays, calculated on their base rate before casual loading. If you regularly work weekend shifts, those penalty rates can make a meaningful difference to your weekly take-home pay.
Management Salary Ranges
| Role | Hourly Rate | Annual Salary (Approx.) |
| Shift Supervisor | $26.00 – $30.00/hr | $52,000 – $62,000 |
| Assistant Manager | $28.85 – $32.00/hr | $51,395 – $66,000 |
| Restaurant Manager / Store Manager | $31.00 – $34.00/hr | $65,000 – $70,000 |
Restaurant managers in Sydney report annual salaries typically ranging from around $65,000 for a store manager up to approximately $70,000 for a restaurant manager, based on salary submissions to Glassdoor as of June 2026. These figures are broadly consistent across Brisbane and Melbourne.
Red Rooster Employee Benefits
Working at Red Rooster comes with a range of benefits that go beyond your hourly rate.
Flexible scheduling. Red Rooster builds rosters around your availability. If you are a student, you can work around your timetable. If you are a parent, you can request shifts that fit school hours. The flexibility is genuine and one of the most commonly cited positives in employee reviews.
Employee meal discounts. Most Red Rooster locations offer staff discounts on food during and around shifts. While the specific discount varies by franchise, employees typically receive either a free meal or a heavily discounted meal per shift.
On-the-job training from day one. You do not need any prior hospitality experience to start at Red Rooster. Every new crew member goes through structured training covering food preparation, food safety, customer service, and the Red Rooster brand standards. The training is practical, hands-on, and happens alongside your regular shifts.
Paid superannuation. All eligible employees receive the mandatory superannuation contribution of 12% on top of their wages, as required by Australian law from 1 July 2025.
Career development and promotion pathways. Red Rooster actively promotes from within. If you perform well, show initiative, and express interest in leadership, there is a clear pathway from crew member to shift supervisor to assistant manager to restaurant manager — and beyond into the Craveable Brands network.
Access to careers across Craveable Brands. Working at Red Rooster gives you access to career opportunities across the Craveable Brands family, which includes Oporto, Chicken Treat, and the Restaurant Support Centre. Employees who want to explore different brands or move into corporate roles have the internal network to do so.
Supportive team culture. Red Rooster has an average employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor for career opportunities as of June 2026, and that rating has increased by 7% over the past 12 months — a positive trend that reflects ongoing investment in the workplace experience.
Career Progression at Red Rooster: From Crew to Manager
One of the most compelling reasons to take a job at Red Rooster is the genuine opportunity to grow. The internal promotion pathway is real, and it is well-established. Here is what that progression looks like in practice:
Crew Member / Team Member
↓
Shift Supervisor
↓
Assistant Manager
↓
Restaurant Manager
↓
Area / Operations Manager
↓
Craveable Brands Corporate / Support Centre
Many people who join as a crew member at 16 or 17 work their way up to restaurant manager in their mid-to-late 20s. The skills you build along the way — food safety, team leadership, cash management, customer service, inventory control, people management — are transferable to almost any hospitality, retail, or management role in Australia.
Red Rooster is an excellent employer for building foundational career skills. Even if you only stay for one or two years as a crew member, the experience on your CV and the skills you develop make you a stronger candidate for a wide range of future roles.
How to Apply for a Red Rooster Job: Step-by-Step
Applying for a job at Red Rooster is straightforward and can be done online in a matter of minutes. Here is exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Visit the Official Red Rooster Careers Page
Go to redrooster.com.au/careers to browse current job openings across the country. The official page is always the most up-to-date source of available positions.
Step 2: Search on Job Boards
Red Rooster also advertises roles on Australia’s major job platforms. Search for “Red Rooster” on:
- SEEK.com.au — the most comprehensive source of current Red Rooster openings
- Indeed.com.au — good for crew member and team member roles
- LinkedIn — particularly useful for management and corporate roles
You can also search “Red Rooster jobs near me” to find openings at specific locations close to where you live.
Step 3: Prepare Your Resume
For entry-level crew member roles, your resume does not need to be long or elaborate. Include:
- Your name and contact details
- Your availability (days and times you can work)
- Any previous work experience, even if it is unrelated to food service
- Volunteer work, school achievements, or extracurricular activities that show responsibility and teamwork
- A brief personal statement showing enthusiasm for the role
Keep your resume to one page. Clean, simple formatting is more effective than a heavily designed document for fast food job applications.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the job board listing or via the Red Rooster careers page. Fill in all required fields carefully, double-check your contact details, and include your resume. Make sure your availability is clearly stated — it is one of the most important factors in whether you get called for an interview.
Step 5: Wait for a Response
Most applicants receive feedback within 3 to 7 days, depending on how urgently the store needs to fill the position. If you have not heard back after 7 to 10 days, it is completely appropriate to follow up with a brief phone call to the store.
Step 6: Attend Your Interview
Red Rooster interviews for crew member roles are typically short (20 to 30 minutes), friendly, and conversational. For management roles, expect a more structured interview process that may include multiple rounds and a conversation with area management.
Red Rooster Interview Tips: How to Make a Great Impression
The interview is your opportunity to show you are enthusiastic, reliable, and ready to be part of the team. Here is what you need to know to walk in with confidence.
Arrive on time. Being 5 to 10 minutes early shows punctuality and respect. Fast food environments run on timing and reliability — arriving late to your interview sends exactly the wrong message.
Dress neatly and presentably. You do not need to wear a suit. Clean, neat casual clothing is perfectly appropriate. The goal is to show that you take the opportunity seriously.
Be honest and genuine. Red Rooster interviewers are not looking for perfect polished answers — they are looking for people who are real, enthusiastic, and willing to work hard. Honest, straightforward answers go a long way.
Highlight your availability clearly. Be upfront about the days and times you are available. Flexibility is genuinely valued at Red Rooster, and clearly communicating your availability helps the interviewer understand how you can fit into the roster.
Talk about teamwork. Every role at Red Rooster involves working closely with a team under time pressure. Give examples — even from school, sport, or volunteer work — of how you have worked effectively with others.
Ask a question at the end. Asking something like “What does a typical first week look like for new crew members?” or “What are the opportunities for growth in this role?” shows genuine interest and leaves a positive final impression.
Common Red Rooster Interview Questions
These questions come up regularly in Red Rooster interviews across all levels:
- Tell me about yourself and why you want to work at Red Rooster.
- What does great customer service look like to you?
- How do you handle a stressful or very busy situation?
- Can you tell me about a time you worked well as part of a team?
- What are you like when things get hectic or go wrong?
- What days and hours are you available to work?
- Where do you see yourself in 12 months’ time?
- Have you had any experience with food preparation or handling? (Do not worry if the answer is no.)
Minimum Age to Work at Red Rooster
The minimum age to work at Red Rooster varies slightly by state, but as a general guide:
- Most states allow employment from 14 or 15 years old with parental consent for junior roles
- Some states require workers to be at least 15 for food service environments
- Management and supervisory roles require applicants to be at least 18 years old
Red Rooster is one of the most accessible employers for young Australians taking their first step into the workforce. If you are 15 or 16 and looking for your first job, a crew member role at your local Red Rooster is a genuinely great starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions: Red Rooster Careers
Q: How do I apply for a job at Red Rooster? You can apply online through the official Red Rooster careers page at redrooster.com.au/careers, or through SEEK, Indeed, or LinkedIn. Search for your nearest location and apply directly to the listing. Many stores also accept in-person inquiries — you can walk in and ask to speak with the manager about available positions.
Q: How much does Red Rooster pay per hour in Australia? Under the Fast Food Industry Award, adult crew members (Level 1) earn a minimum of $24.73 per hour as permanent employees, or $30.91 per hour as casuals. Junior rates apply for workers under 21, starting at 36.8% of the adult rate at age 15 and scaling up to 97.7% at age 20. From July 2026, these rates are set to increase by approximately 4.75%.
Q: Do you need experience to work at Red Rooster? No. Crew member and team member roles are entry-level positions that require no prior experience. Red Rooster provides full on-the-job training from your first shift. For management positions, relevant experience in hospitality or retail management is expected.
Q: What age do you have to be to work at Red Rooster? Generally 14 to 15 years old for entry-level crew roles, depending on your state’s labour laws. Management and supervisory roles require you to be at least 18.
Q: Is Red Rooster a good employer for students? Yes — Red Rooster is consistently regarded as a student-friendly employer. Shifts can be arranged around university or school timetables, casual employment is widely available, and weekend penalty rates mean you can earn significantly more per hour on the days you are most available to work.
Q: How long does it take to get a response after applying to Red Rooster? Most applicants hear back within 3 to 7 days depending on store demand. High-turnover periods — like school holidays, summer, and January — tend to generate faster responses because stores are more actively looking to fill shifts.
Q: How much does a Red Rooster restaurant manager earn? Based on Glassdoor salary data from June 2026, Red Rooster restaurant managers in Sydney earn annual salaries typically ranging from $65,000 to $70,000. This is consistent with Brisbane and Melbourne data, where restaurant managers earn approximately $65,000 per year.
Q: Can I transfer between Red Rooster stores? Yes. One of the advantages of working for a national chain is the ability to transfer between stores. This is particularly useful for university students who move cities, or for employees who relocate for personal reasons.
Q: Does Red Rooster offer superannuation? Yes. All eligible Red Rooster employees receive superannuation contributions at the current legal rate of 12%, paid on top of their wages.
Q: Can I work at both Red Rooster and Oporto or Chicken Treat? Because all three brands sit under Craveable Brands, employees who establish themselves at Red Rooster and express interest in moving to another brand or into corporate roles often have the opportunity to do so through internal channels.
Quick Reference: Red Rooster Careers at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Where to Apply | redrooster.com.au/careers, SEEK, Indeed, LinkedIn |
| Entry-Level Role | Crew Member / Team Member |
| Minimum Age | 14–15 (state dependent) for crew; 18+ for management |
| Experience Required? | No — for entry-level roles |
| Adult Pay (Level 1 permanent) | $24.73/hr (from July 2025) |
| Adult Pay (Level 1 casual) | $30.91/hr (+25% casual loading) |
| Sunday Rate (permanent) | 150% of base rate |
| Public Holiday Rate | 250% of base rate |
| Shift Supervisor Pay | $26.00 – $30.00/hr approx. |
| Restaurant Manager Salary | $65,000 – $70,000/yr approx. |
| Superannuation | 12% from 1 July 2025 |
| Benefits | Flexible hours, meal discounts, training, career progression |
| Career Progression | Crew → Supervisor → Asst Manager → Restaurant Manager |
| Parent Company | Craveable Brands (also owns Oporto and Chicken Treat) |
| Interview Timeline | Feedback typically within 3–7 days |
Final Thoughts
A job at Red Rooster is more than just a paycheck — and for thousands of Australians, it has been exactly that for over 50 years.
Whether you are 15 and applying for your first ever job, a student needing flexible shifts around your degree, a parent looking for part-time work that fits your family’s schedule, or an experienced hospitality professional ready to step into management — Red Rooster has a role that fits. The pay rates are set by Australian award law, the career progression is real, and the brand behind you is one of the most trusted names in Australian fast food.
The application process is simple. Visit redrooster.com.au/careers or search on SEEK, put together a clean one-page resume, be honest and enthusiastic in your interview, and show you are ready to be a reliable part of a hardworking team.
The Rooster is calling. Now it is your move.
Salary and pay rate information in this article is based on the Fast Food Industry Award (MA000003) as updated from 1 July 2025, and salary data from Glassdoor Australia and Indeed Australia as of June–July 2026. All figures are approximate and may vary by state, store, individual experience, and enterprise agreement. For the most current award rates, visit the Fair Work Commission website at fwc.gov.au. For specific salary questions, always confirm with your hiring manager or consult the relevant award documentation.