Today, the Territory Government has announced a $2 million Critical Worker Support Package aimed at attracting hospitality and tourism workers to the Territory to alleviate current pressures around a worker shortfall.
Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, industries across Australia such as hospitality and tourism that traditionally rely on seasonal workers, international students and working holiday makers are struggling to find workers.
The Territory Government’s support package will immediately boost skills and job opportunities for Territorians, and attract workers to the Territory through a variety of strategic incentives and initiatives including travel and accommodation reimbursements, and upskilling opportunities.
Initiatives to improve opportunities for Territory job seekers include:
- Free short courses for Responsible Service of Alcohol, Housekeeping and Tour Guiding;
- Increased opportunities to match apprentices to employers through Apprentice Fairs, aiming to fill the approximately 200 vacancies that exist for apprentices and trainees in the hospitality industry; and
- English literacy training for hospitality and tourism workers.
Initiatives to attract intrastate and interstate workers include:
- The “Territory – Stay, Work and Play” initiative will provide a payment of up to $1500 to local businesses to help cover costs associated with attracting a new employee. These payments will be made on a per new employee basis, with businesses able to claim up to $20,000 in total. *Strict guidelines will apply around the criteria to claim this payment.
Details including terms and conditions, as well as how to apply will be published on the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website by 30th April, with the program live from 4th May.
Attributable to Minister for Jobs and Training, Paul Kirby
“We have listened to local industry and we know they’re struggling to find workers – that’s why the Territory Labor Government is stepping up to assist our hospitality and tourism operators to find staff now.
“This Critical Worker Support Package is designed to support Territory businesses, and provide skills and job opportunities for Territorians – this is always the first workforce priority for our Government
“We are confident that this package will attract many interstate workers to travel or stay in the Territory, and work in Tourism and Hospitality skills shortage jobs across the busy dry season.”
