Michael Ferguson,Minister for State Growth
As COVID-19 restrictions are progressively eased and Tasmanian businesses prepare to ramp-up or resume their operations, we want to ensure they are able to keep their vital skilled workers employed.
This is particularly important in our tourism and hospitality sectors where there is a high reliance on skilled workers on temporary visas, such as chefs and accommodation, hotel and restaurant managers.
Our Temporary Visa Holder Skilled Employee Assistance Program will provide payments to around 500 of the state's skilled visa holders in most need and of most importance to Tasmania's economy, who have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The best way to assist all workers is to get them working again and as we continue to ease restrictions, this package will mean Tasmanian businesses can retain key staff members with the skills and experience that make them critical to the business, in order to continue or resume trading.
Funding will be available on a competitive basis, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 on the business, the skill level and experience of the employee, the importance of the employee in the business continuing or resuming trading, and the lack of available skilled workers in the Tasmanian labour market.
Successful grants will be paid directly to the skilled visa holder and priority will be given to the tourism and hospitality sector. Other sectors will be considered on a case-by-case basis with reference to Tasmanian Government COVID-19 restrictions.
This funding is part of our $3 million support package for temporary visa holders and will help Tasmanian businesses through the COVID-19 crisis and boost our economy.
Guidelines and online applications are available from today at https://www.business.tas.gov.au/covid-19_business_support_packages/temporary_visa_holder_skilled_employee
