Top Visa Options for Australia’s Hospitality Workforce

The Australian hospitality industry thrives on international talent. From bustling city restaurants to regional resorts, visa holders are a vital part of the workforce. But hiring internationally comes with legal obligations that employers can’t afford to overlook.

In this article, we break down the most common visa types in hospitality, their key conditions, and what every employer must know to stay compliant.

1. Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa

The TSS visa (Subclass 482) is the backbone of skilled hiring in hospitality. Employers use it to fill roles where local workers are hard to find, typically chefs, cooks, and restaurant managers.

Key points for employers:

• Sponsor Obligations: Employers must become approved sponsors and adhere to nomination conditions.
• Role-Specific: The visa holder can only work in the approved role and location.
• Reporting Duties: Any changes in role, hours, or location must be reported to the Department of Home Affairs.

Risk Tip: Failing to update the Department about role changes can trigger breaches under Migration Act s140M, leading to sponsorship bars.

2. Subclass 407 – Training Visa

The Training visa (Subclass 407) is less common but valuable for upskilling staff or hosting trainees in hospitality.

Employer considerations:

• The visa is temporary and strictly for structured training programs.
• Visa holders cannot perform regular full-time work outside their training.
• Sponsors must provide genuine skills development plans.

Risk Tip: Treating 407 visa holders like regular staff can expose businesses to penalties of up to $79,200 per breach.

3. Working Holiday Maker (Subclass 417 & 462)

Working Holiday visas are a mainstay for casual hospitality roles, especially in regional areas and seasonal tourism hubs.

Key features:

• Short-term work: Visa holders are usually restricted to 6 months per employer, unless an exemption applies.
• Regional work incentives: Completing specified work in regional areas can make them eligible for visa extensions.

Risk Tip: Exceeding the 6-month limit without approval is a breach that can affect both the employee and employer.

4. Student Visa (Subclass 500)

International students are widely employed in restaurants, cafés, and hotels.

Employer must-knows:

• Students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study terms.
• Unlimited hours may be permitted during official course breaks.
• Employers must ensure rostering and payroll compliance with work limits.

Risk Tip: Overlooking fortnightly work limits exposes employers to civil penalties and sponsorship risk if the student transitions to an employer-sponsored visa.

5. Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme

The PALM Scheme allows workers from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to fill unskilled and semi-skilled roles, including some hospitality positions in regional areas.

Employer responsibilities:

• Employers must be approved PALM Scheme employers.
• Obligations include accommodation, welfare, and return travel arrangements.
• PALM workers cannot switch freely to other employers.

Risk Tip: Breaches of PALM conditions can lead to serious financial and reputational damage, including placement on the Prohibited Employer Register.

Why Compliance Matters

Employing visa holders in hospitality is not just about filling rosters, it’s about managing risk. Non-compliance can result in:

• Civil penalties up to $79,200 per breach
• Sponsor licence suspension or cancellation
• Inclusion on the Prohibited Employer Register, restricting future hiring

Manual spreadsheets and casual checks are no longer enough. Platforms like Complize automate VEVO checks, sponsorship tracking, and notifiable event reporting, keeping hospitality businesses compliant and audit-ready.

Key Takeaways for Hospitality Employers

• Understand which visa types your workforce relies on.
• Know the work conditions and reporting obligations for each visa.
• Implement automated compliance tools to reduce risk and avoid costly penalties.

Simplify your hospitality visa compliance.  Book a free Complize demo.