Working holiday visa cap forces Cairns hotels to cut capacity
Crystalbrook Collection says 45 percent of its 500 employees are on working holiday visas and many are already leaving.
Hotels in Far North Queensland are losing staff fast as new federal visa restrictions take hold. Crystalbrook Collection runs hotels, restaurants and bars across Cairns and says 45 per cent of its 500 staff are on working holiday visas.
Many workers won't risk six more months of regional work for a one-in-six chance at a third-year visa. One hotel operator says he may only fill two 300-room hotels to 250 rooms due to shortages.
Tourism, hospitality, aged care, childcare and farming all face similar gaps. Far North Queensland farms rely on working holiday-makers for about a third of their 15,000 workers during peak harvest.
The federal government says Pacific Island workers will fill the gap, but local industries say it won't happen fast enough.
Why it mattersFewer staff means businesses can't meet demand, leading to service cuts and higher prices for tourists and residents.
AustraliaCairns and Far North Queensland will see reduced hotel capacity, higher food and tourism costs, and farm worker shortages affecting fruit and vegetable supply across Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
