The Restaurant (Fine Dining) Industry Labour Agreement has been negotiated with the Australian Government for the positions of Cook and Chef. Trade Waiters will also be included following national endorsement of this occupation.
The industry labour agreement provides a tailored skilled migration arrangement for employers with specific occupation needs, defining employer obligations and the skills, qualifications and English language requirements overseas workers must meet in order to work in Australia.
R&CA CEO John Hart says the labour agreement has come at a critical time for the sector.
"The sector is currently experiencing a shortfall of 56,000 workers. Employment growth in the cafe, restaurant and takeaway food services sector will require an additional 43,700 jobs by November 2018. The rate of employment growth in this sector is expected to be higher than any other sector in the Australian economy, growing at around 8.5 per cent.
"R&CA's 2015 Benchmarking Survey found that 58.9 per cent of businesses currently have vacancies with 24.6 per cent indicating they were having extreme difficulty finding staff. Chefs, Cooks and Restaurant Managers ranked as 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," Hart says.
Under the agreement, businesses will be required to meet a set of criteria in order to access skilled staff including having an la carte menu, having uniformed staff and a maître d', and have achieved industry recognition through award programmes.
The agreement will also provide a concession on the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) of 10 per cent, in line with recommendations of the independent review of the 457 visa programme.
"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," Hart says.
Hart says the Government's commitment to developing the Labour Agreement is recognition that skilled migration in the tourism and hospitality industry is necessary for economic growth.
"As a labour-intensive industry our workforce is critical to sector productivity. When the sector lacks skilled workers, businesses suffer as they cannot operate at optimum capacity or deliver the customer service expected by diners.
"The development of the Labour Agreement is a positive first step in assisting the growth and productivity of Australia's largest services export sector, which contributes $110 billion to the economy each year.
"The Government should be commended on their willingness to engage with the sector on labour force issues," says Hart.
Hart says the benefits of skilled migration extend much further than just filling job vacancies.
"Skilled migration has contributed to the evolution and fusion of cuisine types here in Australia. With migration comes innovation and new ways of thinking about food and the restaurant experience.
"With skilled migration also comes job creation for local Australians. The reality is most businesses find it difficult to remain open when they cannot find suitably trained staff. The facilitation of a small number of skilled workers under this agreement will ensure businesses remain open, are productive, and have the capacity to hire and train local workers.
"The more we embrace skilled migration and blend the experience of these workers with that of our local workforce, I have no doubt our sector will continue to go from strength to strength," Mr Hart says.
In 2014-15, the Accommodation and Food Services industry was the largest user of the 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa programme, with 4,350 applications granted. Cooks, Café and Restaurant Managers, and Chefs ranked in the top 15 nominated occupations for primary applications in 2014-15.
