Many of us have enjoyed watching our barista make a coffee at our local cafe. Pulling golden espresso shots, steaming milk into frothy perfection, and all while chatting to customers! If you’ve taken the time to admire this skill, you’ve probably also realised that there’s a lot more to the job than meets the eye. Behind every great cup of coffee is a professional with finely tuned skills and deep product knowledge.

Whether you’re looking to land your first job in a café or upskill to advance your career, developing strong barista skills is the key to standing out in a competitive industry. In this article, we’ll explore eight important barista skills, what a barista’s day-to-day responsibilities include, and which skills you should highlight on your CV when applying for café roles.

Espresso extraction

At the heart of barista work lies the ability to pull that perfect espresso shot. This is one of the basic barista skills that really isn’t that basic when broken down! It combines science, precision, and a little bit of artistry. A skilled barista understands the key variables that affect espresso quality, including grind size, dose, tamping pressure, extraction time, and water temperature.

Even small adjustments with a machine can dramatically alter the flavour, aroma, and general feel of the coffee being made. That’s why professional barista skills training is so valuable: it helps you to understand why a shot tastes a certain way and how to make consistent improvements.

When learning espresso extraction, barista students may cover a whole range of different areas of study, including:

• The anatomy of espresso machines and grinders
• How to calibrate grind settings for consistent extraction
• Tamping techniques for even water distribution
• How to recognise under- and over-extraction of a shot
• Adjusting recipes and settings to suit different beans

This technical foundation is an important skill for every barista, whether you’re working in a small local café or a specialty coffee roastery.

Milk texturing and latte art

The silky microfoam you see in a beautifully poured flat white doesn’t happen by accident. Milk texturing is one of the trickiest (and most impressive) barista skills to master.

Perfectly steamed milk should be smooth, glossy, and free of large bubbles, blending seamlessly with espresso to create a delicious, creamy drink. The skill lies in controlling temperature and introducing just the right amount of air to achieve that velvety texture.

Once you’ve mastered milk texture, you can move on to something a little more fun… latte art! Iconic designs like hearts, rosettas, and swans that grace the top of a mug. While latte art might look decorative, it’s also an indicator of good technique and consistency in the drink.

Barista training courses often dedicate entire modules to milk texturing and latte art, helping students understand more about the control required to produce café-quality coffee.

Customer service

Even the most technically skilled barista won’t succeed without a healthy dose of people skills. Coffee culture thrives on connection, and customers often return to cafés for both caffeine, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Strong communication and customer service skills mean being able to:

• Greet customers warmly and remember regulars’ preferences (and names!)
• Handle busy rushes calmly and efficiently
• Take orders accurately and clarify details as needed
• Resolve complaints or mistakes gracefully
• Maintain a positive attitude, even under pressure

These interpersonal abilities make all the difference between an average café and a great one. A well-trained barista knows that every cup served is also an opportunity to make someone’s day better.

Time management and multitasking

A barista’s shift can be fast-paced and unpredictable. During the morning rush, you might have a dozen orders to juggle at once while still keeping the workstation tidy and communicating with co-workers.

Good time management and multitasking skills allow baristas to stay efficient without sacrificing drink quality. This includes:

• Prioritising drink orders while managing workflow
• Keeping equipment clean between uses
• Restocking supplies during quieter moments
• Keeping tabs on anything that’s low and restocking before it runs out

Learning these habits early helps you build confidence and competence in any café setting. In-person professional barista training may include sections that simulate real-world scenarios, to prepare you for the demands of a busy coffee bar.

Product knowledge and coffee appreciation

Today’s café customers are more informed than ever. Many come in asking about roast profiles, bean origins, or brewing methods. A skilled barista should be able to answer these queries confidently, or understand how to research them and get back to the customer.

Understanding where coffee comes from and how it’s processed can deepen your appreciation for the craft and enhance customer conversations. Baristas should know about:

• Different coffee varieties (Arabica vs Robusta)
• How altitude, soil, and processing can affect flavour
• The roasting process and how it impacts taste
• The differences between espresso and alternative brewing methods

Understanding coffee’s journey from bean to cup helps you better showcase its qualities and recommend drinks tailored to customers’ preferences.

Cleanliness and hygiene

Behind every spotless coffee machine and gleaming countertop is a disciplined barista who knows the importance of hygiene. Barista skills not to be overlooked often centre around cleanliness. Clean equipment looks professional while also ensuring that the coffee meets food safety standards.

As such, baristas should be trained in:

• Proper cleaning routines for espresso machines and grinders
• Safe handling of milk, water, and food
• Regular sanitisation of surfaces and tools
• Waste management and recycling practices

Cafés operate under strict health regulations, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness is a non-negotiable point. This is one of the key areas where formal barista training can make you a more employable and trusted professional.

Teamwork and collaboration

Cafés are dynamic environments where collaboration is everything. During busy periods, teamwork ensures that orders flow smoothly and customers stay happy. Having a strong collaborative attitude can make the work environment feel smoother.

Good baristas know how to communicate clearly with their colleagues, support one another, and anticipate what’s needed next. A strong team culture improves service while also making the workplace more enjoyable for everyone. In training courses, teamwork is often emphasised through group exercises that mimic real café operations, helping students build confidence in a cooperative setting.

Cash handling and POS operation

While many people focus on the coffee-making side of the job, barista skills training also involves managing transactions accurately. This includes handling cash, processing card payments, and operating point-of-sale (POS) systems.

Employers value baristas who can work quickly and correctly at the register, especially during busy times when mistakes can easily happen. Familiarity with POS software, attention to detail, and basic numeracy skills are all part of the barista role. Having cash-handling experience is one of the good barista skills to put on a resume, as it can make you a more versatile candidate for café positions.

How to learn barista skills 

Barista skills training can be achieved through several different methods. 

Practical course

A practial barista skills course is a fantastic way to learn a heap of barista skills in-person. There’s also the added benefit of having an experienced teacher to ask any questions you may have. These practical barista skills courses often involve learning how to pour the perfect shot, milk-frothing techniques, and how to make different types of coffee orders. In-person barista skills courses can be helpful for those that like to learn in a practical manner.

Online course

For those that wish to learn the theory behind barista skills, or who live remotely, a theory-based, online course could be more suited. These courses can be great for someone who wants to learn more about being a barista, but who isn’t interested in (or doesn’t quite feel ready for) a pracitcal course. Express Online Training has teamed up with Streamline Training to offer an Introduction to Barista Training that can be completed fully online.

On-the-job training

Another option for learning barista skills is through on-the-job training. This can include either being guided by a supervisor, or learning through trial and error on your own. On-the-job training may also include specialised courses offered by your employer for free. This form of training can be good for those that like to learn as they go, but may be a little stressful for people who prefer to have the knowledge and skills before they begin a new role.

What skills to put on a CV for a café?

If you’re applying for a café job, your CV should highlight both your technical barista skills and your interpersonal strengths. Employers look for candidates who can combine coffee-making with excellent customer service.

Here’s how you might structure your barista skills for CV:

Technical barista skills

• Espresso preparation and calibration
• Milk steaming and latte art
• Knowledge of specialty coffee and brewing methods
• Coffee equipment maintenance and cleaning
• POS and cash-handling proficiency

Soft barista skills

• Strong communication and customer service
• Team collaboration and understanding
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Time management under pressure
• Attention to detail and cleanliness

If you’ve completed a recognised barista training course, make sure to include it prominently on your CV. Employers often prefer candidates who have undergone formal training, as it shows initiative and readiness for the role.

Why barista training makes a difference

While you don’t need formal qualifications to become a barista, completing a dedicated barista skills course can significantly increase your job prospects. Training gives you experience in coffee-based areas, teaches you the science behind extraction, and builds confidence before stepping behind a real café counter. Many employers look for baristas who already understand workflow, hygiene standards, extraction techniques, and customer service principles.

If you’re serious about starting a career in coffee or want to refine your existing skills, enrolling in a professional barista skills course is a great investment you can make in yourself.

What are barista job responsibilities?

While the core of the job is preparing coffee and other beverages, the role extends far beyond that. Baristas are the face of the café. They’re responsible for providing great customer experiences, maintaining cleanliness of the space, and keeping operations running smoothly.

Typical barista job responsibilities include:

• Preparing and serving espresso-based drinks, teas, and other menu items
• Operating and maintaining espresso machines and grinders
• Handling cash, EFTPOS transactions, and point-of-sale systems
• Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the café
• Managing stock levels and restocking supplies as needed
• Providing friendly, efficient customer service to customers
• Taking and preparing food orders (in some cafés)
• Ensuring consistency in taste, presentation, and quality of drinks

Baristas are multitaskers who blend technical know-how with people skills. That, in part, is what makes the profession so unique and rewarding.

Being a great barista is about crafting experiences, connecting with people, and taking pride in your work. Whether you’re mastering espresso extraction or focused on delivering exceptional customer service, each skill you develop brings you one step closer to being that confident, capable barista every café wants to hire.

We all know that Australians love coffee. Whether it’s busy Melbourne cafes or beachside espresso bars on the Sunshine Coast, coffee culture is part of daily life for many. Of course, with this comes a big need for those behind the coffee machines – baristas. 

If you’ve ever thought about working in a cafe, you might be wondering: Where can I get barista training? Do I need a qualification to be a barista? And how long does it take to train as a barista?

While a formal qualification isn’t required to become a barista in Australia, completing a barista training course can help you learn the skills faster, build confidence, and make you more attractive to employers.

In today’s article, we’ll take a closer look at what barista training involves, what options are available, and how courses like the EOT Introduction to Barista Training course can help you kickstart your career.

What qualifications do you need to be a barista?

In Australia, there are no legal qualifications required to work as a barista. Anyone can learn on the job. In fact, some cafes are happy to hire beginners with the right attitude and teach them everything they need to know.

That said, training is highly recommended, especially if you’ve never worked with commercial coffee equipment before. A commercial machine may look a fair bit different to the one you have at home, and because cafe owners are so busy, they may not have the time to teach you on the job. As such, they may prefer hiring those that already understand the basics of coffee-making, such as how to:

• Extract a perfect espresso shot
• Steam milk correctly
• Clean and maintain the coffee machine
• Work hygienically and safely
• Handle customer orders efficiently

Even though a barista qualification isn’t required, training shows an employer that you have initiative and helps you build a foundation of knowledge before you walk into your first job interview.

How do you train to become a barista?

Training to become a barista doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. There are a few different paths you can take, depending on how you prefer to learn and your career goals. Keep in mind, these ideas often work well with each other, rather than as standalone options.

1. Take an online barista course

Online courses are a convenient way to learn the theory behind coffee making. An online course can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection, making it super convenient for those that live remotely. An example of one of these barista training courses is the EOT Introduction to Barista Training, which allows you to study at your own pace. Being remote, this course also lets you do barista training Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, or more rurally like Kempsey or Wagga Wagga. The course can take as little as two hours to complete and covers:

• An explanation of different bean varieties
• Processing methods and roast levels of beans
• How to get the perfect grind
• Extraction techniques and troubleshooting
• Milk options and their differences
• How to steam milk
• The basics of latte art
• Alternative methods for brewing
• Cold brew and iced coffee

The course is a great starting point for beginners, and because it’s fully online, you can learn the essentials before ever stepping behind a cafe counter!

2. Attend a practical barista workshop

If hands-on learning is more your thing, an in-person workshop could be a good idea for you. These workshops are short, usually half-day or one-day courses held at training centres or cafes. You’ll get to work on commercial espresso machines, practice steaming milk, and learn to make a range of drinks under supervision of experienced trainers. Workshops are great if you learn best by doing,  and they give you valuable experience before applying for jobs.

3. Learn on the job

Some cafes hire beginners and train them on site. This is a great option if you prefer learning in a real-world environment and earning money while you learn. You may start as waitstaff then work your way up to making coffee, or you might start your first day on the machines. Just keep in mind that cafes can be stressful environments, particularly those that see a lot of foot traffic!

How long does it take to train as a barista?

You can learn the very basics of being a barista surprisingly quickly,  often within a few hours. Typically, a short course such as the one offered by EOT can be completed in as little as 2-hours, and will give you the basic fundamentals of the job. There are also short, in-person courses that can be completed which typically take around half a day and can be good for those after hands-on experience.

Another option is on-the-job training (if your cafe allows it). This will give you real cafe experience, as well as teaching you the workflow of the place you’ll be working in and customer service tasks. However, learning on the job can be stressful, particularly in busy businesses. The learning here doesn’t really have an end date, as you’ll continue learning while on the job.

Why barista training is worth it (even if it’s not required)

Even though anyone can call themselves a barista, training gives you a bit of an edge if you’re starting out in the industry. While it doesn’t replace hands-on experience, it does provide knowledge.Here’s why it’s worth doing a course before jumping into café work:

You’ll make fewer mistakes early on

Understanding extraction and milk technique can help you avoid common errors. It equips you with knowledge of the basics.

You’ll learn the “why” behind good coffee

Training gives insight into grind size, water temperature, and flavour balance. These elements all come together to shape your understanding of coffee.

You’ll feel more confident during job interviews

A course certificate shows motivation and enthusiasm. It also gives extra knowledge that you may be able to share during our interview.

Becoming a barista in Australia doesn’t require formal qualifications, but training can make a big difference. Particularly for those just starting out. Barista training helps you understand the craft, develop consistency, and stand out when applying for jobs. If you want to start learning straight away, the Introduction to Barista Training course from EOT is a great place to begin!