Hospitality sector’s deal over 457 visas to lure foreign workers

The hospitality industry plans to lure more foreign cooks here after forging a historic deal over 457 visas.

The hospitality industry is looking to lure more foreign cooks, chefs and other staff to Australian restaurants after striking a deal with the government to make it easier to bring in overseas workers through the 457 skilled migration visa program.

Restaurant & Catering Australia said it had reached an “historic” agreement to address “chronic labour shortages gripping the hospitality sector”, which involves lowering the temporary skilled migration income threshold by 10 per cent.

“This moderate concession means it will be more feasible for operators to hire overseas workers, should they be able to demonstrate they have experienced prolonged vacancies in their businesses,” John Hart, R&C A chief executive, said today.

Under the Restaurant (Fine Dining) Industry Labour Agreement, businesses will be need to meet criteria to access skilled migrants, including having an la carte menu, having uniformed staff and a maître d’ and industry recognition through award programs. The agreement also outlines the skills, qualifications and English language requirements needed to work in Australia.

Hospitality businesses were facing a “critical” time and “extreme difficulty finding staff”, with an industry-wide shortfall of 56,000 workers, Mr Hart said.

Chefs, cooks and restaurant managers the most difficult vacancies to fill.

“R&CA has long advocated for a labour agreement that will streamline migration processes and provide businesses with access to semi- and high-skilled labour.”

Mr Hart added that “skilled migration has contributed to the evolution and fusion of cuisine types here in Australia”.

“With skilled migration also comes job creation for local Australians”.

However United Voice National President Jo-anne Schofield said: “There is no shortage of people in Australia willing to work in restaurants. The industry’s real problem is not a shortage of workers, it is its failure to provide good jobs with fair pay and working conditions.”

United Voice said the industry has an application before the Fair Work Commission to cut weekend and evening penalty rates for hospitality workers.

“The restaurant industry does not need this agreement. It needs to stop its attack on pay and working conditions”.

In the 2014-15 financial year, the accommodation and food services industry was the largest user of the 457 temporary work (skilled) visa program, with 4,350 applications granted.

Cooks, cafe and restaurant managers, and chefs ranked in the top 15 nominated occupations for primary applications in that year.