NSW hospitality staff shortage: Job ads spike but applications plunge

Hospitality spending is up 60 per cent in NSW and despite a 130 per cent monthly spike in job ads, applications have dropped.

A critical labour shortage is forcing some restaurants to close early with new data showing job applications have fallen despite a post-lockdown surge in demand for hospitality bookings.

As NSW comes back to life after three months in lockdown with hospitality spending up 60 per cent, cafes and restaurants are struggling to fill vacancies amid a major ­hiring spree.

Despite a 130 per cent month-on-month spike in hospitality job advertisements, job applications in NSW have dropped 7.2 per cent, according to data from Seek.

Restaurant & Catering Industry Association CEO Wes Lambert said there were more than 28,000 hospitality job vacancies, representing about 40 per cent of all jobs listed in NSW.

Waitresses Ash Fabian (standing) and Bella Mazzaferro (sitting) were recently hired by The Locker Room after licensee Adam searched for weeks. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“It’s a critical workforce shortage. The most unfilled positions are barista, bartender and wait staff and these would normally be filled by working holiday-makers, international students and skilled migrants,” he said.

“The double whammy for us is the closure of internat­ional borders and the departure of many from hospitality during the lockdown.”

He is concerned the situation could ultimately hurt the hip pockets of consumers.

“Because of these supply and demand issues and the fact we’re seeing many businesses have to offer well above award, this will lead to increased menu prices,” he said.

Australian Hotels Association Director, Liquor and Pol­icing, John Green, said the labour shortage had forced some pubs and hotels to ­reduce operating hours.

“What we are seeing is some venues closing some days of the week, or having parts of their pubs shut. Not because of a lack of patrons, but due to staffing shortages,” he said.

Mr Green said the government needs to incentivise Australians to take on cafe and restaurant jobs.

Chef Luke Mangan met with Premier Dominic Perrottet last week to discuss the issue after struggling to find staff for his new Sydney CBD venue Luke’s Kitchen. He has also been forced to limit the operating days of his restaurant Glass Brasserie.

“There was a huge staff shortage before Covid and it’s still happening. With visa workers going home, it’s created a big problem. We’re short waiters, baristas, you name it.”

“You put an ad out there for chef, waiter and no one applies. We want to hire Aussies but they’re not taking the jobs.”

The shortfall has led to calls for the government to ann­ounce measures to encourage both Aussies and foreign workers into hospitality jobs.

“We want to employ Aus­sies but if they’re not taking jobs the government has to do something to get visa workers back,” Mr Mangan said.