• Queensland is injecting $7.5 million into a program to entice workers to move to the state and fill regional tourism jobs.
• Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government has heard concerns from the industry that Australia’s closed borders were keeping out tourism workers as the sector was boosted by domestic travel.
• The news comes amid continued criticism from industries including aviation and tourism most-affected by border restrictions.
• Visit Business Insider Australia’s homepage for more stories.

The Queensland government is throwing $7.5 million towards a plan to fill regional tourism jobs, amid concerns the skills shortage caused by closed international borders will soon have a more significant impact.

As part of the new program announced on Thursday, tourism workers can receive incentives of up to $1500 cash and free travel vouchers worth $250 if they take up a job in regional Queensland.

The news comes as criticism from industries including aviation and tourism most-affected by the government’s Budget announcement it would begin a gradual reopening of international borders in mid-2022.

The year-long “Work in Paradise” campaign will target workers willing to meet demand in the state for tourism jobs including bartenders, deckhands and tour guides as the industry rebuilds after being hit hard by the pandemic.

The campaign signals the sector is resurging on the back of domestic tourism, with thousands of unfilled positions in the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a press conference on Thursday morning that there’s strong demand for workers across the state, from bartenders and deckhands to tour guides, as the industry rebuilds.

The incentives will be on offer for jobs in a region stretching north from Mackay as well as inland regions west of Toowoomba.

Palaszczuk said the government was already working with businesses to ensure affordable housing was made available for those looking to move to Queensland, including for those looking to relocate with their families.

“We want to make sure it’s affordable for people,” she said. “There are so many opportunities out there.”

The new initiative will help the industry with domestic travel following successful tourism campaigns encouraging Queenslanders to travel within the state, Palaszczuk said.

“Australians are supporting the tropical far north….We want to make sure we start getting that workforce in place.”

Chief Executive of Tourism Tropical North Queensland Mark Olsen told the ABC he hoped the package would help fill more than 300 tourism jobs sitting vacant in Far North Queensland.

CEO of Tourism Port Douglas Tara Bennett also told the ABC the move was welcomed by local tourism operators who were struggling with major staff shortages.

“We are delighted that we’ve been heard, we’ve been having conversations about the staffing shortage since November last year,” Bennett said.

Speaking to Nine Network on Thursday, the Premier also pushed back on speculation the federal government might require people travelling interstate to have a vaccine passport.

Palaszczuk said she agreed with her NSW counterpart, Gladys Berejiklian, that it wasn’t necessary.

“I don’t know how a passport would work around Australia,” she said.

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