Recruitment crisis means some Australian workers are getting paid double

A “recruitment crisis” and 100,000 vacant roles are seeing some lucky Aussies get paid twice their award hourly rate - and they’re cashing in.

Demand for hospitality staff has skyrocketed with almost 100,000 positions available but there aren’t the people to fill it. Picture: iStock

A “recruitment crisis” is plaguing the hospitality industry with almost 100,000 positions available across Australia forcing employers to offer sign on bonuses and huge jumps in the hourly rate to attract staff.

The number of vacant positions soared from 84,376 to 93,395 over the past 10 days, according to Seek data, with that figure expected to skyrocket to 100,000 in the next fortnight as borders open and restrictions continue to ease.

Restaurants and Catering Australia chief executive Wes Lambert said there’s at least 50,000 positions open for semi skilled roles such as waitstaff, baristas and bartenders, which would normally be filled by working holiday visa holders, international students and the partners of skilled migrants.

There are also around 40,000 roles for entire kitchen team and managers, including cafe and restaurant managers and sous chefs, he said.

“It’s a recruitment crisis and many businesses are telling us they paying above the award, as well as giving sign on and retention bonuses into the thousands of dollars,” he told news.com.au.

“And some operators are reporting offering between $40 and $50 an hour for some of most critical front of house positions.”

The award rate for baristas or waitstaff is about $25 an hour meaning in some cases staff are being offered doubled the rate to lure them in.

Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive officer Wes Lambert described the hospitality shortage as a crisis. Picture: Supplied.

Hospitality has been one of the hardest hit industries during the pandemic and the shortage of staff is causing more pain for businesses, Mr Lambert said.

“Hundreds of business are reporting they used to be open for six or seven days a week for two or three meal periods and now they are only open four or five days a week for one or two meal periods and that will affect profitability in an already low margin industry,” he said.

Wait staff are in high demand. Picture: iStock

The situation is only going to get worse as restrictions are lifted, states open up to each other and the demand for dining out increased, warned Mr Lambert.

He said the international borders around Australia need to open “immediately”.

“There is no excuse that could be given that double vaccinated or in some cases triple vaccinated workers cannot return to Australia,” he said.

It seems many operators could see the looming crisis with a pub group going to extreme lengths to fill 500 jobs before Christmas back in September.

The Australian Venue Co (AVC), which has 170 venues around Australia, was offering to pay for flights back to Australia as well as hotel quarantine for stranded Aussies.

Baristas are also highly sought after. Picture: iStock.

Successful applicants were also rewarded with two weeks of rental accommodation paid for by the group and a $1000 drinking and dining voucher too.

Hospitality and property group Lewis Land Group have also been running an initiative to target staff at two of their biggest venues in NSW – The Camden Valley Inn and The Fiddler.

The group are offering young hospitality hires free training and the chance to win a car. For each shift they work, staff will get an additional entry into a draw to win a Hyundai i30 Active 202