TOURISM and hospitality businesses in eligible areas of Australia could benefit from more backpacker employees as the Federal Government attempts to stem a growing worker shortage.
Mildura Regional Development chief executive Brett Millington said changes to the working holidaymaker (WHM) program announced this week would support tourism and hospitality businesses recovering from disruption by COVID-19.
There was a shortage of “a few hundred” workers in tourism and hospitality in the Mildura region, he said, and the new rules would help plug the gap.
“Pretty much every business is looking for a chef or wait staff, baristas, sommeliers and restaurant managers,” Mr Millington said.
“There’ll be still some things to be ironed out in the way that it functions.
“But it’s a good move for regional areas.”
WHM visa holders working in the tourism and hospitality sectors in northern and remote areas of Australia will be able to count work in these areas towards the 88 days of specified work to receive a second and third-year visa.
The changes, which are set to come into effect in March 2022, will apply to yet-to-be-announced postcodes in remote NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke said these changes would help WHM workers stay and work in Australia.
“We recognise the important contribution working holidaymakers have made to critical sectors of the Australian economy throughout the pandemic,” he said.
“We will continue to monitor and adjust temporary visa conditions to ensure we have the right settings in place as Australia emerges from the pandemic.”
The Department of Home Affairs announced last month all visa holders working in tourism and hospitality and other critical COVID-hit sectors were exempt from the six-month work limitation with one employer.
