Minister for tourism, Martin Ferguson, said this week’s announcement to expand the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme will help tourism operators meet the challenge of finding enough workers in peak periods.
In addition to inviting Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu to join the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme, the government will also trial a new seasonal labour mobility arrangement under the banner of the pilot to offer workers from East Timor the opportunity to undertake seasonal work in the tourism sector in Broome.
“We know Australia’s tourism industry has been struggling over a long period to find and compete for workers, particularly in regional areas. The Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme has been very successful in the horticulture industry so it makes sense to trial this proven approach in the tourism sector,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Workers from East Timor will have the opportunity to be paid to train and work in Broome for four to six months in tourism enterprises who show they can not source sufficient labour locally to meet seasonal demands. Workers will be employed in accordance with Australian work standards and will be supported throughout their stay by approved employers who must provide pastoral care assistance and help for the workers to engage with local communities.”
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has welcomed the announcement to assist with meeting the skills shortage in the hospitality and tourism industry in Western Australia, but more work is needed.
AHA (WA) CEO, Bradley Woods, said the hospitality and tourism sector required urgent action across numerous areas to meet the demand for semi-skilled workers. “It is very positive to see the federal government implementing initiatives that will assist in meeting some of the requirements of the hospitality and tourism industries in Western Australia,” Mr Woods said. “We would also like to see the urgent implementation of a semi-skilled visa category for workers from developed countries such as those located within the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe.
“An expansion of the working holiday visa is also critical for the WA hospitality and tourism sectors to ensure we are able to provide the highest possible standards of experience and customer service.”
Mr Woods said a WA state government-led delegation to the UK and Ireland clearly highlighted the high levels of interest people have to work in WA on a temporary basis.
“There are mutual benefits in implementing a semi skilled visa category on a temporary basis. The hospitality and tourism culture in countries like Ireland, in particular, is strong as is the demand for people wanting to come to WA,” he said.
The Accommodation Association of Australia is planning to encourage member businesses in Broome to participate in the expanded Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme. The association’s chief executive officer, Richard Munro, said the announcement is positive for this important tourism region.
“The Accommodation Association is urging eligible tourism accommodation businesses to use the expanded scheme to assist with alleviating labour shortages,” Mr Munro said.
“This is important for a number of reasons, notably, it is likely to translate to a higher level of service and standards. And if it is a success for employers, workers and guests alike, then it raises the possibility of the scheme being expanded to other tourism regions that are facing similar challenges.”
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