Young West Aussies encouraged to Work and Wander out Yonder

  • ‘Work and Wander out Yonder’ campaign to attract workers to jobs in regional WA
  • New initiative leverages off the success of the #wanderoutyonder tourism campaign
  • Campaign urges young Western Australians to have a backpacking adventure in WA
  • Initiative to help address labour shortages in agriculture, tourism and hospitality caused by the impacts of COVID-19 across the world
  • State Government partners with recruitment services Seek and Studium
  • A regional worker incentive scheme for agricultural workers to be finalised soon 
  • A new campaign will encourage young Western Australians to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime working holiday in regional WA – highlighting job opportunities in some of the State’s most sought-after tourism destinations.

    The McGowan Government today launched the ‘Work and Wander out Yonder’ campaign – promoting local jobs in agriculture, tourism and hospitality throughout regional WA.

    Featuring destinations such as Margaret River, the Wheatbelt, Exmouth and Esperance, the campaign calls for 18-30 year olds to take the opportunity to earn money, gain experience and have an unforgettable backpacking adventure in their home State.

    Regional WA is experiencing labour shortages in a range of occupations usually filled by international backpackers, lost to the sector as a result of COVID-19.

    The State’s booming intrastate tourism sector is placing further pressure on the jobs market – with farmers, hospitality outlets, tourism operators and other small businesses calling out for workers.

    The campaign highlights the benefits of working in the regions and the diverse opportunities available. Employers are encouraged to fill local jobs with local workers.

    Beginning this Sunday, September 6, the wide-reaching campaign will feature on digital, radio, television, print, out-of-home and social media advertising channels across WA.

    The McGowan Government has partnered with recruitment services Seek and Studium to match employers and job seekers through the campaign website. Employers are encouraged to advertise on these platforms, with job seekers able to register their interest.

    The McGowan Government is also in the final stages of developing a regional worker incentive scheme, which will provide accommodation and travel support for people moving to the regions for agricultural work.

    The scheme acknowledges the difficulties faced in recruiting and retaining seasonal agricultural workers as part of an immediate response, while the State Government advocates for the Commonwealth to do more to support the sector and incentivise the uptake of horticulture and agriculture opportunities. 

    The campaign leverages off the highly successful Wander out Yonder intrastate tourism campaign – which has recorded the highest awareness of any domestic campaign undertaken by Tourism WA in recent times.

    In just two months, Tourism WA’s website has directed more than eight times the amount of traffic to industry websites and tourism operators than the same time last year. The #wanderoutyonder hashtag has been used on social media over 25,000 times.

    The campaign follows the $57 million investment in the training sector to upskill Western Australians as part of the WA Recovery Plan – including free and subsidised courses in agriculture and hospitality.

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “This year, young Western Australians have a unique opportunity to be backpackers in their home State. We can’t travel overseas, but there is the chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime working holiday here in WA.

    “There are literally thousands of different jobs available right now in the regions, and this campaign will help those positions be filled with local workers or anyone currently in WA.

    “Whether it is school leavers, people finishing university or TAFE, or those just looking for work – embrace this opportunity to explore WA while having a remarkable experience.

    “This builds on our work to further support the industry through our $57 million training package, which includes subsidised or free TAFE courses to upskill Western Australians as part of the WA Recovery Plan.”

    As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:

    “This is an opportunity to earn money, gain experience and have an incredible adventure away from home.

    “Tourism and hospitality businesses all over the State are calling out for young people to work and enjoy the benefits of the backpacking lifestyle in country WA.

    “International backpackers have been having the time of their lives working and enjoying themselves in regional WA over the years – now’s the time for young West Aussies to see what they have been missing.”

    As stated by Regional Development and Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

    “This is the opportunity for an adventure of a lifetime, working and living in some of Australia’s most stunning and iconic locations from Kununurra to Esperance.

    “Our farmers and growers need our help to fill these seasonal roles and continue to feed the State – and young Western Australians can be part of that critically important work.

    “Details will be released soon on a regional worker incentive scheme to help give our primary industries the best possible chance to attract and retain workers for this season.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.