Federal boost for migrant workers

GEELONG region tourism leaders have welcomed federal government moves to boost Australia’s international workforce as a positive step towards easing labour pressure.

More migrants would be allowed into the country and have more flexibility in their work hours and the government would aim to speed up visa processing under new commitments this month.

Following the Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra, which gathered industry and union leaders for a roundtable with policy makers, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the immediate initiatives that he said aimed to build a bigger, more productive workforce.

The government will allow an extra 35,000 permanent migrants into Australia this financial year after lifting the cap to 195,000 people a year, while international students will enjoy extended visas and relaxed work restrictions.

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs will receive a $36.1 million cash injection to clear visa backlogs and shorten wait times, with most of the money going towards hiring visa processing staff.

Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine executive director Brett Ince was in favour of the changes as the local industry tried to replenish staff numbers following the pandemic.

“Changes to migration and addressing the visa backlog are great first steps in alleviating the workforce shortages impacting businesses in our region and right across Australia,” Mr Ince said.

“Many businesses in Geelong and The Bellarine have been running short on staff for some time and would welcome the chance to fill their teams and skill up new workers ahead of the busy summer season.”

TGGB estimates the region’s tourism sector is down to 3,250 jobs – less than half the pre-COVID figure of 7,551 from March 2020.