Note — general guidance only: Always verify visa conditions through VEVO and consult the Registered & Licensed Clubs Award 2020 plus NSW Liquor & Gaming rules before finalising rosters or contracts.



NSW clubs thrive on diversity—international students behind the bar, working-holiday makers on the bistro pass, and skilled chefs from abroad elevating the menu. But every overseas hire brings extra administrative strings. Skip a VEVO check or roster a student beyond their fortnightly cap and a single Fair Work audit could wipe out a week’s takings.



Why Getting Foreign-Staff Management Right Matters

• Civil penalties & back-pay:
Breaching visa work limits can trigger fines up to $93 900 per infringement—plus back-pay if loading or overtime rules were ignored.

• Reputation with members:
Word spreads fast if staff feel underpaid or unsupported; member trust is as vital as the Friday raffle.

• Service quality:
Language gaps on a busy gaming floor slow transactions and frustrate patrons unless you roster smart pairings.

Four Compliance Checkpoints Clubs Can’t Ignore

  1. VEVO Every Fortnight
    Log each foreign worker’s visa in your roster system and schedule an auto-reminder to re-check VEVO status every two weeks—visas change or lapse mid-season.

  2. 48-Hour Student Cap
    From July 2023 the student-visa work limit is 48 hours per fortnight. Use your payroll platform’s “hours-since-Monday” counter so supervisors don’t guess.

  3. RSA & RCG Fast-Track
    NSW requires Responsible Service of Alcohol and Responsible Conduct of Gambling certs. Book new arrivals into the next available course within 14 days of commencement.

  4. Record-Keeping in Plain English
    Store signed copies of Fair Work Information Statements and the Casual Employment Information Statement translated if necessary—inspectors expect comprehension proof, not just signatures.

Practical Roster Hacks for a Multicultural Crew

• Buddy Shifts:
Pair new overseas staff with bilingual veterans for the first three services; language coaching happens on the floor, not in a classroom.

• Visual Cheat Sheets:
Post picture-based bistro POS guides near tills—minimises translation hiccups at peak lunch rush.

• “Language Loop” Announcements:
Pre-record raffle and jackpot calls in English plus the top second language (e.g., Mandarin) for nights with large tour groups. Staff simply press play—zero mispronunciation stress.

• Cultural Calendar Swaps:
Offer paid shift swaps around major cultural holidays (e.g., Lunar New Year) to boost goodwill and coverage; local staff happy to earn extra Sunday rates.



Sample Two-Week Fortnight for a Student-Visa Bartender (L2 Casual)

Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Total
1 — 5 h — 5 h — 6 h 4 h 20 h
2 — — 4 h 6 h 5 h — 5 h 20 h

Fortnight total: 40 h (under 48 h cap)

Tip: When Easter Anzac public-holiday weeks loom, pre-reduce mid-week hours so student staff can legally cash in on Sunday penalty rates without breaching limits.

Final Call-Out

Global talent can turn a suburban club into a must-visit destination—if compliance is watertight and culture support is real. Run regular VEVO checks, respect visa caps and empower overseas hires with clear comms and thoughtful rostering. Do that and your members, your P&L and your newest staff will all raise a glass to the same winning team.