In a bid to ease Western Australia’s tourism and hospitality labour shortage, an innovative new online campaign aims to attract young working holidaymakers from the United Kingdom.
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said the campaign would capitalise on young Britons’ keen interest in WA, and their ability and desire to supplement their holiday through work.
It features a dedicated jobs website allowing young UK residents to browse WA job opportunities and send their resume directly to local employers before leaving home
“One quarter of all United Kingdom visitors to Australia come to Western Australia and account for 25 per cent of this State’s international visitors - that’s more than 166,000 visitors, spending $296million,” Ms McHale said.
“Coupled with changes to the Working Holiday Program, allowing 18 to 30-year-olds to work in any one job for six months, we believe young Britons can play a bigger role in our State’s tourism and hospitality industry.”
The Minister said the Tourism WA campaign would highlight WA’s excellent job opportunities with good employee benefits, in a range of exciting and unique locations.
The campaign includes a major prize of a four-week work placement at Broome’s Cable Beach Club Resort and online initiatives on popular websites, including My Space.
The dedicated jobs website - http://www.westernaustralia.com/workplay - also provides important information on working in WA and links to relevant sites.
Ms McHale said tourism was a key economic driver for WA, delivering $5.7billion into the economy in 2005-06 and employing 63,000 people.
Minister's office - 9213 6900 
