Migrant workers will be able to travel to Australia for the first time in nearly two years as border restrictions ease mid-next week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced vaccinated overseas workers can enter Australia from 1 December and will not need to apply for a travel exemption.
There are 28 eligible visas include the Temporary Work visa; Work and Holiday visa; Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.
“The return of skilled workers and students to Australia is a major milestone in our pathway back, it’s a major milestone about what Australians have been able to achieve and enable us to do,” said Prime Minister Morrison.
“It’ll mean a lot for the economies of our country who need those workers and want to see those students return.”
The Restaurant and Catering Association has praised the announcement, but says there is a long road ahead to get hospitality back on track.
“Although the industry still has a long way to go until we reach pre-pandemic levels of staff – this is a much welcomed and much needed announcement,” says R&CA CEO Wes Lambert.
“Safely allowing these workers back into Australia will turbocharge the local economy and help to keep venues operators so that Australians can enjoy their favourite restaurant or café.”
It’s welcome news for the hospitality sector as it enters the busiest period of the year, with many businesses struggling to find skilled local workers over the past months.
Image credit: DW