Restaurants, pubs and cafes are using desperate measures to lure staff as a workforce shortage threatens to increase food and drink prices.
Hospitality venues across Australia are offering cash bonus incentives as they struggle with an industry shortage of skilled workers.
Victoria is the worst hit by the shortage, where hospitality positions accounted for more than 2.6 per cent of all Victorian jobs advertised in October, compared to the 2.2 per cent nationwide average.
Hospitality giant The Australian Venue Co, which runs more than 150 bars across the country has offered job seekers a $1,000 sign-on bonus and an extra $2,000 if they re still employed after three months.
A scheme giving New South Wales residents $100 vouchers to support cafes and restaurants crippled by the coronavirus pandemic has been pushed back to early 2021.
The Dine and Discover scheme was meant to start at The Rocks in Sydney this month but NSW customer services minister Victor Dominello said on Friday venues were already too busy.
The scheme, worth $500million, was the major move in November s state budget aimed at kick-starting the state s economy back into gear following months of stifling coronavirus restrictions. The feedback from many is that they are already booked out over the festive season and would benefit from the stimulus program when it quietens down, Mr Dominello said.