A range of Federal, State and Local Government and other programs and help is available for businesses looking to attract, upskill and retain staff.
To help employers grow and diversify their businesses, the Federal Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations' ‘Real Jobs, Real Wages’ program provides financial incentives for employers to hire an eligible employee into a permanent job.
Free help is available to find and keep staff, and to not only find the right talent but also create a more inclusive and supportive work environment. Financial support of up to $15,000 is available.
If you're looking for staff for your business, the Eeger website is a one-stop shop for connecting job seekers with employers in the tourism, hospitality and travel industry.
The site profiles careers in the sector, provides information on job opportunities and training courses, and enables employers to access business resources to support workforce development.
If you are facing workforce challenges, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s (QTIC's) Industry Workforce Advisor program offers small tourism businesses free, tailored support to attract and retain staff.
Why have a workforce plan? Identify:
Tourism operators are invited to submit an expression of interest to become involved.
More than 74,500 Working Holiday Makers (WHM) have been issued with visas but have not commenced their travel to Australia. The Australian Chamber of Commerce (ACCI) Tourism Committee proposes an industry-based visa rebate scheme, funded by members across the visitor economy.
There is an opportunity for Tourism Accommodation Australia, Australian Hotels Association and Accommodation Association of Australia Members to work with ACCI to approach these offshore WHMs directly. Members interested in attracting Working Holiday Maker Visa holders who are willing to refund the visa fee (AUD$510) if they are employed by your organisation, register your interest.
If you are looking to fill workforce gaps in your business by sponsoring a skilled migrant, the QTIC Guide to Sponsoring a Skilled Migrant sets out the steps and costs associated, and guides your business through the process.
As part of their travel service for international backpackers, Welcome to Travel helps travellers find jobs by linking them with employers.
Employers can join the employment database so they can be discovered by travellers and can post jobs. It takes just five minutes to input information through a simple questionnaire and it is completely free for employers.
This free, online learning initiative is designed to build a more sustainable, resilient and world-leading visitor economy for Queensland. It's for everyone who contributes to Queensland’s success as a destination, from tourism operators and events, through to retail and transport.
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has partnered with industry experts to develop six courses designed for businesses and employees across Queensland’s visitor economy:
FIND OUT MORE & START LEARNING
Council's Business Boost Program provides Noosa businesses with free access to specialist advisors across key business focus areas, including:
Business owners/operators can access up to 2 hours free personalised support from an advisors who will provide specific advice to your business needs.
The Noosa Community Training Centre has students and trainees undertaking training and employment programs. They will support your business to find the right person for your needs and have a variety of training areas including employability and foundational skills courses, construction traineeships, hospitality (front and back of house) and business.
The centre may also have some options for upskilling current team members within your business.
FIND OUT MORE
Or phone 07 5449 7700 or email reception@nctc.com.au
To address staff shortages, the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System provides support to priority occupations through wage subsidies. The Australian Apprenticeships Priority List now lists the following apprenticeships as eligible for wage subsidies:
Support for employers
Employers of apprentices listed on the Priority List may be eligible for a Priority Wage Subsidy, set at 10 per cent of the apprentice’s wages for the first and second year (up to a maximum of $1,500), and 5 per cent of the apprentice’s wages in the third year (up to a maximum of $750 per quarter).
Support for apprentices
An apprentice undertaking a qualification at either Certificate III, IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma level may be eligible for an Apprentice Training Support Payment of up to $5,000 for two years of their apprenticeship.
This program helps tourism operators, hospitality staff, event teams, volunteers and locals build the skills and confidence to deliver warm, inclusive and memorable experiences.
Each online program is tailored to one of Queensland’s 13 tourism regions, weaving in local stories, culture and products to reflect the unique spirit of each destination. The program is supported by the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland. It's open to all businesses that play a role in welcoming and hosting guests across Queensland’s tourism regions, including:
The training takes around 1.5 to 2 hours in total, which can be completed across multiple sessions.
SUNSHINE COAST TRAINING
Free and low-cost tourism and hospitality courses are available to help jobseekers, school leavers and young people find work and explore new opportunities through Job Trainer. The courses are supported by the Queensland Government.
VISIT JOBTRAINER OR FREE TAFE FOR INFORMATION
The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training has a range of help and information for small businesses who are starting out, need support to recover or want to take their business to the next level.
The Department's staff are happy to visit any business that is interested in finding out more - just request a call-back or see the QR code on the flyer below.
Business health check
Business Queensland - one-stop shop for all things business:
Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland
Running your business:
Dept of Employment, Small Business & Training:
