Australia's accommodation, cafes, and restaurants industry represents more than half of the nation's total tourism and hospitality employment. It accounts for roughly 4.5% of all jobs in Australia (400,000 workers). Since 1987, the number of jobs in the sector has risen from about 257,000 to about 372,000. Approximately 57% of employees are females; about 43% of industry jobs are part time. The majority of enterprises in this sector are small businesses. Employers in this industry spent less on training their employees in 1996 than any other industry. Only 10% of these employers provided training. Employers are less satisfied with vocational education and training (VET) than those in any other industry sector. Within the last 3 years, it has become the fifth largest industry employing apprentices and trainees. Nearly two-thirds of the work force in this sector have no qualifications beyond high school. Almost two-thirds of employers believe there is an adequate supply of VET graduates to meet demand. (An appendix contains four tables of statistics: national shifts in employment in various industries in Australia; numbers of persons employed in various occupations in the accommodation, cafes, and restaurants industry from 1987-1996; and educational attainment of persons in occupations within the industry.) (KC)