By Renee Wood
Yarra Ranges Council has asked for the State Government to advocate for more flexible opportunities for working holiday visa holders, to support the tourism and hospitality workforce throughout the Yarra Valley.
Currently, working visa holders have to compete 88 days of agricultural work to extend their stay, however there’s a push for tourism and hospitality work to included in these conditions.
Council, the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, Australia’s Adventure Tourism Victoria and other state tourism bodies are among the push which would help to support the industry’s workforce.
Mayor Jim Child said council supports the implementation for more-flexible working tourism visas for working holiday makers.
“Many of our tourism and hospitality venues have been affected by staff shortages resulting in reduced operating hours, closures, burnout, and wellbeing impacts to business owners who are fulfilling multiple roles in their business to keep them going,” Mayor Child said.
“These impacts have resulted in some of our townships struggling to maintain consistent hospitality and tourism offerings. The flow on effects of this having a detrimental impact to the local economy and local supply chains.”
The changes would make the state’s subclass 417 and subclass 462 visa holders fall in line with the Northern Territory’s and north of the tropic of Capricorn in Queensland’s conditions.
“Our advocacy priorities cover many important topics, but Yarra Ranges Council and our local industries fully support the changes to Subclass 417 and Subclass 462 visa holders and we have advocated for these changes for some time,” he said.
The Commonwealth would need to deliver the changes but the bodies are urging the State Government to advocate on their behalf.
A State Government spokesperson said it delivered ongoing investment to the tourism industry and will continue to advocate on its behalf.
“Visa conditions are a matter for the Commonwealth Government. The Victorian Government will continue advocating for Victoria’s tourism businesses on the national stage,” they said.
“We’ve delivered ongoing and significant investment in the Victorian tourism industry, ensuring its continued growth, delivering more visitors to more regions and supporting jobs and businesses across the state.”
Some of these investments include $23.1 million to deliver 1,260 roles across tourism and hospitality, offering paid training and at least 12 months of secure employment, the $5.6 million Accommodation Jobs initiative for 320 roles in housekeeping, preparation of food and beverages, events and other accommodation services and the $6.6 million hospitality workers project is delivering 500 job ready hospitality workers, supporting jobseekers.
