Unpaid trials exploit young hospo workers - Working Women's Centre Victoria

No more “unpaid trials”: We’re here for young women and non-binary people in hospo

November 20, 2025
Read time ( 2 min)

Unsure if what you’re experiencing at work is “normal”? We’re here to help.

There are plenty of perks to hospo life (flexible shifts, banter with co-workers, free food after a long shift). But there are some hospo red flags that just don’t sit right: the dodgy cash-in-hand shifts, the “just do a free trial, we’ll see how you go,” and the manager who thinks harassment from customers is just “part of the job.”

The hospitality industry has the youngest workforce in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, almost half of hospo workers are under 25. They’re juggling classes, casual shifts and late nights. Unfortunately, these young workers are also more likely to be taken advantage of.

What young people in hospo are telling us

The top issues we see from young women and non-binary workers are:

Wage theft. Unpaid trial shifts that go for hours, cash-in-hand jobs that never add up to minimum wage, or payslips missing your super.

Bullying and harassment. From customers snapping their fingers at you, to managers yelling in the middle of service, to being made to feel unsafe walking home after close.

No breaks, long shifts. Being rostered ten days straight. Skipping lunch because “the floor’s too busy.” This isn’t just a “work hard play hard” mentality. It’s unsafe.

Discrimination. Being overlooked for shifts because you’re “too young,” “too old,” or because of your gender or identity. Or being scared to speak out when something’s unfair, because they might cut you from the roster.

Sound familiar? You’re not imagining it. Research shows 50% of young people in hospo have experienced bullying at work, and many have been underpaid. If something feels off, it probably is.

Red flags to look out for

If you’re new to hospo, here are some common “normalised” practices that are actually against the law:

Being asked to do a trial shift longer than 1–2 hours without pay.

“Cash in hand” shifts paid below the award minimum (even if they offer other perks or call it a “training wage” or “mates rates”).

Not getting payslips at all.

Being told your super “isn’t included for casuals.”

Managers brushing off harassment from customers as “part of the job.”

None of these things are fair, and they’re not okay. If something feels dodgy at work, it might even be illegal. Give us a call on 1800 992 842 to see if we can help.

Wage theft is illegal

Not getting paid what you’re owed? That’s wage theft, and it’s against the law.

Wage theft can look like unpaid overtime, underpayment of wages, or not being paid superannuation. It’s common, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal. And it’s not okay. If you think you’ve been underpaid, you have options.

The Working Women’s Centre Victoria has a team of specialist lawyers who can help. We provide free, confidential legal support to women and non-binary people across Victoria. We can help you figure out what you’re owed, calculate missing pay, and take action to recover your wages.