What this course is, and who needs it
CBD College's barista training gets you job-ready on a commercial espresso machine. There's no legal requirement to be a "qualified" barista in Australia, but hands-on training makes you far more employable — cafés generally look for it, and it gives you real, practised skill rather than just theory.
There is one brand, Barista Basics, with two options:
- Barista Basics (3hr) — $149, non-accredited. A relaxed, hands-on introduction to the espresso machine: grinding, dosing, tamping, pulling shots, steaming and texturing milk, and making every café coffee. No pre-course work required. You receive a certificate of completion — not a nationally recognised qualification.
- Master Barista (5hr) — $249, nationally recognised. Everything in the 3-hour course, plus 2 hours of latte art and a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment (SITHFAB025 Prepare and serve espresso coffee + SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety) that cafés accept Australia-wide. Requires a short pre-course online module (roughly 1–2 hours, multiple choice) before class — you won't be issued the Statement of Attainment unless this is completed.
Both are booked from the main Barista course page. The 3-hour class used to be sold under the Australian Barista School (ABS) name; from October 2026 everything is Barista Basics.
A Master Barista booking is two classes: the 3 hour class and the 2 hour Coffee Art class. You pick both dates when you book — usually the same day, staying on after the 3 hours, but a later Coffee Art date is fine.
Entry requirements & what to bring
No prior barista experience is needed — you're taught to use a commercial espresso machine from scratch. You do need to be over 14 (accompanied by a paying adult if under 14, consistent with CBD College's other short courses).
What to bring: just yourself, and enclosed shoes — this is a food-safety requirement, as you'll be working with hot drinks and machinery. Flip-flops, slides, sandals or thongs aren't permitted. All coffee, milk, equipment and aprons are provided.
Course structure & duration
- 3-hour course: no pre-course work — just focused, hands-on time on the machines.
- 5-hour nationally recognised course: a short online pre-course module (around 1–2 hours) to complete before class, then the same hands-on core skills plus 2 hours of dedicated latte art training.
Every student gets their own steam wand and group handle for the day — there's no standing around waiting for machine time — and classes run at a 1:8 trainer-to-student ratio. Trainers are working baristas and café owners, not just teachers, and you train on commercial-grade machines, not domestic gear.
You can start with the 3-hour course and upgrade later: add the 2 hour Coffee Art class for $100 from your Student Portal, and you'll receive the nationally recognised Statement of Attainment once it's done.
Delivery modes & locations
Barista courses run face-to-face at four centres:
| Centre | Address |
|---|---|
| Sydney | Level 5, 8 Quay Street, Haymarket NSW 2000 |
| Melbourne | Level 3, 55 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 |
| Brisbane | Ground Floor Suite 4 (G-04), Ladhope Chambers, 131 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD 4000 |
| Newcastle | Second Floor, 376 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW 2300 |
Classes run every day — mornings, afternoons and weekends.
Barista training previously also ran in Adelaide; this has been discontinued, and Adelaide should not appear anywhere as a Barista location.
Fees & payment
- Barista Basics (3hr): $149
- Master Barista (5hr), nationally recognised: $249
- Coffee Art upgrade for a 3 hour student: $100
Package deals if you're heading into hospitality:
- RSA + Master Barista (5-hour): $399 (includes the SITXFSA005 food-safety unit at no extra cost)
- RSA + RCG + Master Barista (5-hour): $549 — the most complete hospitality/gaming package
See the RSA/RCG/Licensee Training article for details on those components.
Group bookings: call 1300 838 962 to arrange training for your team or workplace.
Switching & cancellation
Due to small class sizes, we're unable to refund no-shows or change-of-mind cancellations. If you need to change your class date, this is managed through the Switch function in your Student Portal.
A switching fee always applies to the 3 hour class — it is not free, even if you switch more than 48 hours before your class: $7, or $22 within 48 hours of your class. Switching your Coffee Art class is free before the class.
Price match
Price match does not apply to Barista courses. CBD College's price match offer is limited to First Aid, CPR and Childcare First Aid courses only.
Certificates & USI
- The 3-hour course is non-accredited: you receive a certificate of completion, and no USI is required.
- The 5-hour course is nationally recognised: you receive a Statement of Attainment (SITHFAB025 + SITXFSA005) from CBD College (RTO 91399), made available in your Student Portal. A USI is not required to book the 5-hour course, but is required before your certificate can be issued — it's free to create at usi.gov.au.
On-the-day requirements
- Wear enclosed shoes (required for safety around hot drinks and machinery).
- No other preparation needed for the 3-hour course.
- For the 5-hour course, complete the online pre-course module before you arrive — you won't receive your Statement of Attainment without it.
- Assessment for the nationally recognised course is by practical demonstration on the machine.
The 2 hour Coffee Art class is only sold as part of Master Barista or as the $100 upgrade for a 3 hour student — it isn't sold on its own.