Wes Lambert, chief executive of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, said the pile-up of additional financial demands from the wage rise, Payday Super changes, the phase-out of junior pay rates and removal of credit card surcharges meant establishments would need to add at least 10 per cent to menu prices this year to maintain profit margins.

‘Job-destruction mechanism’ The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA) said the increase in the minimum wage and all award rates from July 1, “falls dangerously short of balance between business and employee needs”. The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA) said the increase in the minmum wage and all award rates from July 1, “falls dangerously short of balance between business and employee needs”. ARCA chief executive Wes Lambert said the “hardest truth in hospitality is that restaurants do not print money”.

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.