Free flights, cash payments to lure workers for Qld tourism jobs

People will be offered free flights and cash bonuses under the multimillion-dollar Work in Paradise campaign that aims to fill 4000 tourism jobs across regional Queensland. SEE THE FULL LIST OF LOCATIONS

The Queensland government will today unveil a multimillion-dollar jobs campaign offering free flights and cash payments in a bid to fill thousands of tourism posts across the state.

It is hoped the $7.5 million “Work in Paradise” initiative will help find workers from across the country for about 4000 unfilled tourism positions throughout regional Queensland at a time when struggling operators are desperate to attract more staff.

The campaign seeks to attract workers from across the country to more than 50 regions throughout Queensland where some 4000 tourism jobs remain unfilled.

The clever push shapes as the biggest jobs-based tourism drive since the hugely successful Best Job in the World campaign by Tourism and Events Queensland more than a decade ago.

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Vesna Stupar serves cocktails to tourists in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

While individual payments may vary depending on a range of factors, the program aims to deliver cash payments of up to $1500 and free travel for workers taking up a tourism job in regional Queensland from Mackay north to tropical hot spots to west of Toowoomba, including the outback.

Already ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, travel bans and border closures, tourism operators are facing a fresh crisis even as visitors return, in the form of a migration of workers away from the industry.

Some operators are having to cancel tours or turn away visitors as their former workers deserted the industry for better job prospects elsewhere.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new campaign would help turn the tide by offering potential workers an opportunity too good to ignore.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Dan Peled (NCA NewsWire)

“We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and this campaign will give Queenslanders and other Australians even more reasons to come to work in paradise,” she said.

“Thanks to the way Queenslanders have responded to the pandemic, our economy has started to rebuild.

“But right across regional Queensland, there is strong demand for workers.

“From chefs, waiters and bartenders through to tour guides and deckhands on the Great Barrier Reef, there are plenty of great jobs up for grabs.

“Grab your friends and take a tourism job to work in paradise – that’s the message we’re sending to thousands of Queensland and Australian jobseekers.”

The Best Job in the World campaign led to a tourism boom for Queensland as thousands applied for a post as a caretaker of a tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef.

Some of the jobs offered in the latest promotion are not quite as exotic, but the State government is banking on the lure of the destinations – and the financial incentives, to help fill thousands of posts.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the “Work in Paradise” campaign would help ease the work force shortage facing many tourism hot spots, while delivering jobs for Queenslanders and even interstate workers.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to work, live and play in some of Queensland’s great holiday destinations,” he said.

Riley Hotel curator Vesna Stupar serves cocktails to Sydney tourists Brooke Pashe and Alana Porsbro by the pool. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns is one of the tourist centres most affected by jobs shortages and Crystalbrook Collection area manager Joel Gordon said any plan to attract more workers would be welcomed.

“To ensure we can continue to deliver a genuine 5-star experience and encourage return visitation, we need to continue to attract skilled hospitality workforce into the destination,” he said.

Asked where extra workers moving to regional areas would live amid an affordable rental crisis in some areas, Ms Palaszczuk said “hopefully” that would be addressed.

“We’re talking to our different organisations across Queensland to work out some affordable accommodation options as well, so hopefully that will happen as well,” she told reporters in Cairns.

“We want to make sure it’s affordable.”

She said plenty of people who moved would not be moving back.

The program will start on July 1.

To apply, visit www.qld.gov.au/workinparadise

CAMPAIGN LOCATIONS

MACKAY/WHITSUNDAYS

Isaac regional council

Mackay regional council

Whitsunday regional council

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Burdekin Shire

Charters Towers regional council

Hinchinbrook Shire

Palm Island Shire

Townsville City Council

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Arukun Shire

Burke Shire

Cairns regional council

Carpentaria Shire

Cassowary Coast

Cook Shire

Croydon Shire

Doomadgee Shire

Douglas Shire

Etheridge Shire

Hope Vale Shire

Kowanyama Shire

Lockhart River Shire

Mapoon Shire

Mareeba Shire

Mornington Shire

Napranum Shire

Northern Peninsula Area regional council

Pormpuraaw Shire

Tablelands Regional Council

Torres Shire

Torres Strait Island Regional Council

Weipa Town Authority

Woorabinda Shire

Wujal Wujal Shire

Yarrabah Shire

SOUTHWEST QUEENSLAND

Balonne Shire

Barcaldine Regional Council

Barcoo Shire

Blackall-Tambo Regional Council

Boulia Shire

Bulloo Shire

Cherbourg Shire

Cloncurry Shire

Diamantina Shire

Flinders Shire

Goondiwindi Regional Council

South Burnett Regional Council

Southern Downs Regional Council

Western Downs Regional Council

Maranoa Regional Council

WEST QUEENSLAND

Longreach Regional Council

McKinlay Shire

Mount Isa City Council

Murweh Shire

Paroo Shire

Quilpie Shire

Richmond Shire

Winton Shire