Many Cairns businesses are unable to access working holiday makers because of specific work clause

Out-of-touch employment rule for working holiday makers is stopping FNQ businesses from accessing skilled employees amid a nationwide worker shortage, leading to lost revenue and growth.

THE limited job list that guides foreign working holiday makers into certain industries is hampering small businesses in FNQ as they struggle to recruit skilled employees among a nationwide worker shortage.

Shorty’s Barber Shop owner Lianne Wright said she’s tried to recruit qualified or skilled workers from Cairns through platforms such as Seek and Facebook but has had no response.

Skilled migrants have contacted her looking for work, but she is unable to recruit them because hairdressing sector businesses cannot sign off on specified work as dictated by the Department of Home Affairs, known among industries as “remote days”.

QLD_CP_NEWS_417VISA_13JUL22

“Qualified working holiday makers have messaged me from banana farms in Innisfail asking for work and if I can sign off on their days. When I tell them I unfortunately can’t I never hear from them again,” said Ms Wright.

“I think any business in a regional area that’s struggling to find staff should be able to sign off these days.”

Ms Wright has had to reduce her weekend business hours because of her staff shortage.

“There doesn’t seem to be any Australians looking for work in the barbering industry,” she said.

Shorty's Barber shop owner Lianne Wright, pictured with customer Ben Morris, said her only responses to employment adds are coming from backpackers. Picture: Brendan Radke

“For some reason barbering isn’t on the skills shortage list. I don’t know who makes these decisions but there’s definitely a skills shortage.”

The working holiday visa specified work rules mandate those wanting second or third year visa extensions to complete up to 179 days in certain industries, including hospitality and agriculture, in northern or remote areas of Australia. The hairdressing sector is not among the job types listed.

Shorty's barbers Kris Iratni, owner Lianne Wright and Kaitlyn Smith. Picture: Brendan Radke

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the policy needs to be changed to include all sectors suffering from skills shortages.

“Of course it needs to be broadened to include skills that are required. There should be other skill sets added that are equally critical to the economy of our region. It should be based on absolute need, not on particular businesses. I agree 100 per cent,” he said.

“The pandemic taught us the value of our transient workforce, our holiday maker workforce. Without them we were pretty much on our knees.”

Mr Entsch said he was very aware of the issue and would be asking the Department of Home Affairs to respond to the situation.

“My office is putting together examples of businesses in this situation and I’ll address it with the Minister when I’m able to get the time with them.”

Originally published as Many Cairns businesses are unable to access working holiday makers because of specific work clause