Rising Stars: English Teacher, Server, and Sommelier Lead Australia's Fastest-Growing Roles

The Australian job market is witnessing a surge in demand for English teachers, servers, and sommeliers, according to LinkedIn's 2025 "Jobs on the Rise" report. These roles have emerged as the fastest-growing in the country, reflecting broader economic and societal trends. Let's delve into the factors driving this growth and the implications for job seekers and employers alike.



English Teacher: A Growing Need

The rapid growth of English teacher roles in Australia can be attributed to several factors:

1. Increasing International Student Population: The growing number of international students in Australia has led to a higher demand for English language instruction. These students need to enhance their English skills to pursue their academic and professional goals (LinkedIn, 2025).
2. Post-Pandemic Recovery: The hospitality and travel sectors have seen a resurgence post-pandemic, leading to an increased demand for English teachers in these industries. This includes roles such as servers, travel specialists, and sommeliers, which require strong English language skills (LinkedIn, 2025).
3. Soft Skills Demand: The modern workforce is placing a greater emphasis on soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and adaptability. English teachers, with their strong language skills and ability to teach these soft skills, are in high demand (Dengate, 2025).
4. Continuous Learning: The importance of continuous learning and upskilling has been highlighted in recent years, further driving the demand for English teachers who can help individuals improve their language skills (Dengate, 2025).

Server: Hospitality's Recovery

The hospitality industry's recovery from the pandemic has significantly influenced the demand for servers, as seen in the rise of server roles in LinkedIn's 2025 "Jobs on the Rise" report. The report identified "server" as the second-fastest-growing role in Australia, reflecting the broader economic and societal trends of the industry's recovery from the pandemic (Dengate, 2025). This increase in demand for servers can be attributed to the resurgence of the hospitality sector, which has seen a surge in post-pandemic demand for roles such as servers, travel specialists, and other frontline hospitality positions (Dengate, 2025). As the hospitality industry continues to recover and grow, the demand for servers is expected to remain strong, presenting an opportunity for job seekers looking to enter or re-enter the workforce in this sector.

Sommelier: Wine Industry Trends

The increased demand for sommeliers in the wine industry can be attributed to several trends:

1. Growing Interest in Wine Culture: There has been a significant increase in the interest and appreciation for wine culture worldwide. This is evident in the rise of wine tourism, wine appreciation classes, and wine-related events. According to a report by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, global wine consumption has been steadily increasing, reaching 246 million hectoliters in 2020 (IOV, 2021).
2. Rise of Fine Dining and Wine Pairing: The fine dining industry has seen a surge in popularity, with an increased focus on wine pairing and sommelier expertise. The Michelin Guide, a prestigious rating system for restaurants, has recognized the importance of sommeliers in enhancing the dining experience. In Australia, the number of Michelin-starred restaurants has been growing, indicating a higher demand for sommeliers (Michelin Guide, 2021).
3. Expansion of Wine Education and Certification Programs: The wine industry has witnessed an expansion in wine education and certification programs, such as the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. These programs have contributed to the professionalization of the sommelier role and increased the demand for certified sommeliers (CMS, 2021; WSET, 2021).
4. Increased Importance of Sustainability and Terroir: There is a growing emphasis on sustainability and understanding the unique characteristics of wine regions (terroir). Sommeliers play a crucial role in educating consumers about these aspects, further increasing their value in the industry. This trend is reflected in the rise of organic, biodynamic, and natural wine movements (Livingstone, 2019).

These trends have contributed to the increased demand for sommeliers, as seen in the rise of sommelier as the fourth fastest-growing job in Australia, according to LinkedIn's 2025 Jobs on the Rise list (LinkedIn, 2021).

In conclusion, the Australian job market is witnessing a surge in demand for English teachers, servers, and sommeliers, driven by various factors such as the growing international student population, hospitality industry recovery, and wine industry trends. These roles present an opportunity for job seekers looking to enter or re-enter the workforce, as well as for employers looking to fill these in-demand positions. As the Australian economy continues to grow and evolve, it is essential to stay informed about the fastest-growing roles and the factors driving their demand.