Review of 457 visa program welcomed by hospitality sector

The announcement that the 457 visa program will be reviewed is the first step to addressing labour shortages gripping the tourism and hospitality sector, according to peak industry association Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA).

Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash’s announcement to examine the program has come at a critical time for the sector. Tourism and hospitality is Australia’s largest export services sector, contributing $128 billion to the economy each year. Yet R&CA CEO John Hart believes growth of this sector has been stifled by an inability to find suitable staff at a local level. “The sector is already experiencing a shortfall of 35,800 jobs, with this number expected to increase to 56,000 by 2015.

In addition, employment in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services is projected to grow by more than 42,700 jobs or 8.1 percent to November 2017 with the rate of growth expected to be higher than any other sector in the Australian economy.

“We need tangible migration solutions that help address shortfalls in skilled and un-skilled labour. “Kitchen-hands, Waiters, café and restaurant Managers and Chefs are the most in-demand occupations in the sector and will continue to be well beyond 2015." “We need to see the return of these occupations to the Skilled Occupation list to support the viability of the 33,000 hospitality businesses across Australia."

“Today’s announcement is a positive first step to ensuring the future growth and vitality of Australia’s largest services export sector,” said Mr Hart.

Source: Restaurant and Catering 25/02/14