We support the growth of a world-class tourism workforce. Having the right skills will support the needs of Australia’s growing visitor economy. Growing a secure and resilient workforce is a THRIVE 2030 policy priority.
Austrade has compiled a resource list of programs, initiatives and tools available to businesses in the visitor economy to uplift their management capability. The summary outlines resources and initiatives for businesses nationally, as well as individual states and territories.
Read our resource list, Developing Tourism Business Capability.
The Visitor Economy Workforce and Skills Interim Action Plan outlines actions underway to rebuild workforce capability and capacity.
Broad stakeholder consultation informed the plan. We held consultations across Australian and state and territory governments, and with industry. Consultation also included the Tourism Jobs Summit. This Summit was led by Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell.
Read the Visitor Economy Workforce and Skills Interim Action Plan.
The Tourism Jobs Summit informed the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit in 2022. The summit generated new ideas and actions to address visitor economy workforce challenges. These ideas will help inform the government’s Employment White Paper. The ideas will also guide a new visitor economy workforce and skills strategy – a THRIVE 2030 action.
Read about the Tourism Jobs Summit Outcomes.
The Workforce and Skills Technical Working Group is identifying new approaches to support a highly skilled workforce. The group provides advice from industry and government. The group was formed as an action of THRIVE 2030.
Find out about the Workforce and Skills Technical Working Group.
We collaborate with several entities to facilitate ongoing research. This research informs decision-making by government and industry.
Learn about visitor economy workforce challenges. Watch The Jobs Crisis in Tourism: International Perspectives video (YouTube, 28:16) – presented by Professor Tom Baum, University of Strathclyde, Scotland.
We commissioned Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, to carry out a broad literature review. The review presents potential solutions to the workforce and skills challenges captured in THRIVE 2030.
Read The Visitor Economy - Making it a Career of Choice.
We commissioned research to explore working holiday makers’ perceptions of Australia as a destination to travel, work and study. The research shows the Working Holiday Makers program is:
Read Perceptions of Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program 2019–20.