New initiative builds on visa rebate scheme
Government moves to help resolve workforce crisis by luring working holiday makers
A new $7 million Federal Government initiative aimed at helping a severely staff-strapped accommodation industry fill desperately needed positions has been roundly applauded by the Accommodation Association (AA).
Designed to attract uptake of the Working Holiday Maker visas with a focus on the UK, Europe, Japan and Republic of Korea, a core message in the ‘Work and Play the Aussie Way’ campaign underlines the potential adventures that lie ahead while working and holidaying in Australia.
Working holiday makers are big business for this country. In 2019 they contributed $3.2 billion to the economy, representing 7 percent of total visitor spend.
Thanking the government for its initiative, AA CEO, Richard Munro said anything that helps solve the current workforce crisis is most welcome.
“We are very grateful for the Federal Government’s action on this and for the ongoing collaboration with our sector in addressing the multiple, complex issues Australia’s hotels and accommodation providers and people are dealing with,” he said.
“We are confident that the young people being targeted as part of this initial campaign will find the lure of Australia very powerful, especially given the added incentive of the rebate on visa costs for all fully vaccinated international student visa holders who arrive in Australia between now January and 19 March 2022.”
Mr Munro said while properties in many parts of Australia have been lucky enough to benefit from strong consumer demand, CBD properties have been incredibly hard hit by the international travel ban and border closures.
“And there is a common theme across just about every single hotel, and that’s the juggle to plug the workforce and skills gaps at every level,” he said.”
“This pandemic has knocked so many of our hotels for six and we anticipate full recovery is not likely in the next twelve months with the subsequent issues having a profound impact for some time.
“We also hope the Federal Government will acknowledge the significance of the ongoing combination of dented consumer confidence, massive skills and workforce shortages, and the lack of international visitors and provide ongoing support,” he said, adding he hopes the success of the campaign will see the rebate window and the eligible countries extended given the massive extent of workforce losses here.