Victoria
Coastal businesses fear backpacker visa cap will cause worker shortages
Coastal hospitality operators fear a new visa ballot system for backpackers will trigger severe staff shortages ahead of peak tourist seasons.
Coastal hospitality businesses are raising concerns that a new cap and ballot system for backpacker visas will drive essential workers away, leading to severe staff shortages in popular holiday destinations.
According to reporting by a national wire service, representatives from the hospitality industry warn that the introduction of a visa ballot will restrict the flow of working holiday makers. These workers are considered vital to sustaining regional economies, particularly during peak tourist seasons when local labour pools are insufficient to meet demand.
Under the proposed changes, certain backpacker visas will be subject to a ballot system. Business owners fear this extra layer of bureaucracy and uncertainty will discourage international travellers from choosing Australia as a destination, prompting them to take their skills and labour to other countries instead.
While regional operators across the country share these concerns, there is some potential relief on the horizon for specific areas. A new regional migration agreement is being highlighted as a potential solution that could help mitigate the impact for holiday towns, particularly those located in New South Wales.
However, industry groups argue that broader, more flexible visa pathways are needed to support the hospitality sector nationwide. Many coastal venues rely heavily on seasonal staff to remain open during busy periods, and there are fears that without adequate staffing, some businesses may be forced to reduce their trading hours or limit their services.
Tourism and hospitality operators will watch closely to see if the federal government adjusts the ballot quotas or expands regional migration agreements to other states in response to industry pressure.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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