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Visa rebates a welcome step but…
 

19 January 2022: Peak industry body the Accommodation Association welcomes the Federal Government’s initiative in rebating visa application fees for international backpackers and students but warns much more support is needed to address sector-wide labour force losses of 35% in Australia’s Accommodation sector.
 
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced the fee rebates for international students who arrive in the next 8 weeks and for backpackers for the next 12 weeks as part of an immediate incentive to fill the workforce shortages, to be supported by a $3 million marketing program via Tourism Australia.
 
Accommodation Association CEO Richard Munro today said the announcement was a very welcome step in the right direction.
 
Quotes attributable to Richard Munro, CEO, Accommodation Association (who is available for interview)
“Every level of Australia’s Accommodation sector has been heavily hit by workforce losses of 35% with the additional complication of staff having to isolate due to being close contacts. Every positive step towards addressing that is welcome but this is a massive headache that is not going away any time soon.”
 
“We are very grateful for today’s announcement but ongoing support from Government at all levels is needed until we get back to a more normal existence and we have a proper resumption of international tourism. The Accommodation Association has been engaging with the Federal government on many fronts for both short and long term solutions and we look forward to these types of announcements accelerating given the demand.”
 
“The sector is constantly adapting and finding ways to become more flexible to suit the rapidly changing environment, the Association itself has launched a number of programs to assist our members and the wider tourism industry with the skills shortage and today’s announcement will support these initiatives.”
 
“From our ground-breaking Gappa program which expands the traditional Gap-year via a 10-month placement of paid work experience through to multiple short and long term solutions to match those looking for work with accommodation providers looking for team members, the Association and our Members have embraced new ways of attracting people into hospitality.”
 
“But, even where demand for rooms is high, our hotels, motels and accommodation providers simply can’t find the people to fill the gaps right across the workforce from management to cleaning staff through to floor and administration staff. Plus our members continue to see cancellations due to consumer fears of being stranded again by snap border closures and inability to practically access Rapid Antigen Tests.”
 
“Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction and we hope some of the eligible international students and backpackers come our way. This is a brilliant sector to work in at every level. Even short-term, you learn transferable skills and, as a career path, it can take you anywhere and everywhere.”
 
The Accommodation Association’s employment pathways initiatives include (accessible at www.aaoa.com.au/careers)
 

  1. The Gappa –this is a gap year paid experience with additional bonuses and benefits for anyone that wants to work anywhere in the country for a year.
  2. The Hub –a one-stop transformational Hospitality portal to for employers, job seekers, consultants with streamlined processes, forms and tools for anyone to use so that the matching of individuals to job and career opportunities is even faster and easier. It will also provide a unified job Board for the sector.
  3. Train2Earn – our hugely successful direct training program which provides a short, intensive 3-day immersion training with a job interview at the end. This is already tracking at a 94% employment outcome.
  4. Our PaTH Business Placement Partnerships programs which provide all jobseekers who complete training with a guaranteed 4 week live and practical internship in metro and regional venues nationally. These programs have an 80% employment success rate and provide the core basic skills to start a career in the sector. As part of this and in line with the sector’s commitment to creating an inclusive workforce, there are also dedicated DES programs to run in a hotel environment with a supported PaTH internship and employment support package.
  5. The Training Panel of Accommodation Association-approved RTOs to help members with any training enquiries they might have. The Association has done the due diligence in checking each RTO’s training materials, trainers and overall performance and also facilitates the introduction.
  6. The PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) program

 
Media contact: 
Accommodation Association LJ Loch 0488 038 555 or ljloch@alphaconsulting.global
 
About the Accommodation Association
The Accommodation Association represents over 80% of all known accommodation providers from small regional parks, caravan parks, serviced apartments and resorts through to the largest hotel groups in the world including Accor, Hilton, Wyndham Destinations and IHG.
 
The Accommodation Association is a registered organisation at Fair Work, established in 1969. 

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