Cairns labour shortage: Employers missing out on backpacker solution to skills crisis

Far North businesses are being forced to buy accommodation for workers and up wages to attract staff. But this is the short-term solution that’s right under their noses.

BUSINESSES are being forced to buy worker accommodation and up wages to attract and retain staff, but there is a short-term solution under their noses.

The skills shortage, employer mindset and the housing crisis all play a role in the struggle to fill the large number of vacancies, as a Cairns recruiter revealed both locals and backpackers were facing the same difficulties.

Christine Foudoulis, director of Superior Recruitment, said while there weren’t enough locals to fill vacancies, businesses were turning away from backpackers with experience and specialist training as working holiday visas are seen as “challenging”.

Christine Foudoulis said industries with shift work were a massive deterrent for staff.

“I think there needs to be a shift in mindset … backpackers can fill in the skills gap while employers are looking for a permanent or long-term solution,” she said.

“There’s also the accommodation issue, even if I’m looking to employ someone from interstate or Queensland, if that person can’t find suitable accommodation they can’t accept the job.”

The hospitality, construction, health care, education, legal and accounting industries were in most dire need of staff as Ms Foudoulis said industries with shift work were a massive deterrent for staff.

“If you’re on your feet a lot it can be quite tiring and backpackers willing to do those jobs is fantastic because we may not have the locals for that position,” she said.

“In order to retain the staff they have, businesses are now putting measures in place to focus on staff wellbeing and, where appropriate, increasing wages if staff have taken on more responsibilities.”

Cairns experienced their backpacker boom in July which was the peak for the region. Picture: Brendan Radke

A business which has welcomed backpackers is Cazalys Cairns where assistant manager Oliver Scott said it had been a useful temporary solution.

“It has been a struggle but we have been able to take on a few backpackers to fill the gaps as of late taking a little bit of the pressure off,” he said.

“We currently have three backpackers I have hired over the past three to four weeks and I have two more coming in for interviews today.”

While Mr Scott was excited to welcome backpackers to the available jobs, he was concerned that they wouldn’t resolve the worker shortages.

“The biggest problem is they usually only stay for three or four weeks and then say they are moving on,” he said.

“But the good thing is you don’t need to put much time into them they usually have experience so you can just put them behind the bar or on tables which is good.”

The return of backpackers to the Cairns region has delivered a precious stream of willing workers, but many new arrivals have still struggled to land a job.

Menno Victoria from the Netherlands recalled his time in Cairns before the pandemic in 2019 when he was competing with the huge number of backpackers for a job.

Now, back again, Mr Victoria is browsing Seek for a job in construction and mining in the Far North and said he was worried he wouldn’t be able to land one as businesses may prefer a more permanent candidate.

“I haven’t found (a trade job) in Cairns … but it’s pretty easy to find a job like fruit picking,” he said.

“There’s jobs available are mainly casual.”

Lukas Mueller came from Germany on a working visa but he said he was competing with other backpackers for a job and searched for a month before getting a response.

“I sent out 25 CVs and got no answer but then I posted to Facebook if anyone was looking for a job and got a response, I work at Hemingway’s now,” he said.

“I know some backpackers who are lucky and get a job straightaway but others are normally waiting four to six weeks before they get one.”

Bounce, Cairns City’s backpacker hub and hostel, has had work and holiday makers from Europe, North America and South American come through its doors in the past few months.

The bustling hostel experienced a peak in June and July but assistant manager Carolyn Bockmeyer said the numbers receded in August.

As the Far North’s wet season approaches, Ms Bockmeyer warned that many backpackers will move on from September and October.

“That’s just how it goes, backpackers travel with the sun,” she said.

Originally published as Cairns labour shortage: Employers missing out on backpacker solution to skills crisis