Fitzy’s Toowoomba, Toowoomba Regional Council by staff shortage crisis as Australian Bureau of Statistics release vacancy data

A popular Toowoomba business has claimed a mental shift may have contributed to an increase in job vacancies as the region tries to bounce back to pre-Covid employment levels.

Businesses are struggling to stay a float as the region continues to battle staff shortages, with one popular business claiming a mental shift could be partially to blame.

Fitzy’s Toowoomba marketing manager Anita Armanasco said the business was used to a stream of resumes flowing through the door, however after Covid, were “lucky to get a few”.

“Covid changed the goalposts. People’s lives were turned upside down,” she said.

“People like chefs and waitresses, we can’t work from home, and they got a taste of home life.”

Recent data by the Australia Bureau of Statistics claimed 45.3 per cent of accommodation and food service businesses reported job vacancies in November 2022, an increase from 42.5 per cent three months earlier.

Meanwhile, 28.3 per cent of Queensland businesses had reported job vacancies, a jump from two years prior with only 12.9 per cent.

“I think a lot of people rethought their careers, and with hospitality … it does take you away from your family and friends,” Mrs Armanasco said.

“I don’t know if they got lazy or changed their priorities … probably both. Life is just looked on differently since Covid.”

Mrs Armanasco said while the business had started to see the “light at the end of the tunnel”, a slump in incoming work-visa employees meant they lacked additional options when filling roles.

(back from left) Ellie Fitzgibbons, Jemma Bradshaw and Rheanna Klaassen with Anita Armanasco (in front) Fitzy's staff prepare for New Year's Eve. Friday, December 30, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“We’ve got our key people and we’re very lucky to have kept all of those and I think it's a testament to the business,” she said.

“But in terms of casual staff, whether it be waitstaff, cleaners, bar staff … it’s been a tumultuous time and it hasn't been easy for small business.

“We used to be able to pick and choose a lot more than we have been lately.”

Latest figures show 77.1 per cent of vacancies were due to replacements or resignations, with 44 per cent claiming increased workload as a contributing reason.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce executive officer Lucas Wegener said business sustainability was on the mind of owners who were unable to fill ongoing vacancies.

As a result, companies were facing decreased productivity, staff burnout and loss of business.

“Businesses are struggling to meet customer demands, leading to decreased productivity and lower turnover,” Mr Wegener said.

“Existing staff are overworked and stretched thin, causing increased stress, burnout, and an increase in mental health issues.

“With inadequate staffing, some businesses are seeing a drop in the quality of service or product they provide, as when staff are overworked, they are likely to make mistakes and lose repeat business.”

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio (centre) with Cr Kerry Shine (left) and Cr Geoff McDonald. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba Regional Council finance and business strategy portfolio leader councillor Kerry Shine said all industries across the nation were experiencing an extremely tight labour market, and the Toowoomba region was no different.

Within the council itself, there were currently 218 job vacancies.

“It is extremely hard to find candidates with the right skills or in certain professions, especially engineers, environmental health officers, HR and ICT professionals, and plumbers,” Mr Shine said.

“Private enterprise is in the same labour market as local government and has responded by offering remuneration well above what is financially sustainable by local government.

“Toowoomba, as a whole, needs to play to our strengths to attract the very best candidates to the region.”