Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said only 2500 apprentices and trainees in the year to September completed a Certificate 3. “Our position is straightforward, Australia needs a smarter skilled migration framework, one that is faster, more responsive, regionally aware, integrity driven and better aligned with workforce shortages, housing capacity and long-term productivity goals.” Mr Lambert said the industry accounted for 14 per cent of all skilled visas in Australia, including 9.33 per cent going to chefs.

This offers a significant opportunity for SA’s hospitality scene and could eventually pave the way for a national rollout, Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said.

Hospitality-industry body Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association praised the South Australian government for recognising hospitality as a major economic driver at a time of immense economic pressure. “At a time when restaurants and cafés continue to face enormous pressures from rising wages, energy costs, rents, insurance and workforce shortages, announcements like this are critically important because they reinforce hospitality’s value to Australia’s economy, tourism sector and cultural identity,” said chief executive Wes Lambert. Lambert called for a national rollout of the Michelin Guide to cement the Australian hospitality scene as an international dining destination.