It’s no secret that many businesses in Australia – particularly those in regional areas – have been struggling to find labour … and caravan parks are not immune from the problem.
Tourism Accommodation Australia says the country is still more than 100,000 working holidaymakers and more than 150,000 international students down on pre-pandemic levels.
An inability to fill job vacancies has meant that some caravan parks have been unable to take full advantage of a period of strong demand.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland, Michelle Weston, told the Grey Nomads that the impact was pretty widespread.
Some van parks are struggling to find enough workers . PIC: Cizza
“Staffing is an issue for parks right across Queensland at present,” she said. “And, in many cases, this has been exacerbated by the current housing crisis as there is limited opportunity for people to move to areas to take up roles as they can’t find accommodation.”
She said low staffing levels could result in park owners either working double time to get everything done or, in some cases, putting cabins ‘out on maintenance’, leaving them vacant until they had the staff required to prepare these rooms for guests.
And the problem appears to be nationwide. Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism – which covers the area stretching from Torquay in Victoria to the South Australian border – says that, before the pandemic, there was a shortage of 400 to 600 workers in the tourism sector in the region … now that’s easily more than doubled.
And the NSW Tourism Industry Council has said that many hospitality businesses in the regions have been unable to open through the week due to staff shortages, which it says is ‘not a good look’.
For grey nomads seeking to supplement their income, the dire situation does have a potential silver lining.
“Many parks we speak to regularly hire grey nomads for part, or all, of the winter season,” said Michelle Weston from the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland. “This is a win-win solution as the parks only need additional staff during the busy parts of the year and generally the grey nomads are only planning on being in the region for that part of the year.”
She said the fact that nomads brought their own accommodation with them was also a convenient solution to the housing issue.
“My advice for anyone currently travelling through Queensland hoping to pick up some work along the way … speak to the park operator in the town you are looking to stay in,” she said. “They may have casual work available and, if they don’t, they will know which businesses in town are looking for staff.”
Yes I would like to work in one
Keith, Gundagai Tourist Park are urgently looking for housekeeping staff. We are happy to train. Contact Kerry @ Park
Bun
Both hubby and I would love this work
Once my vehicle has been serviced in Townsville, I’m heading west for the remainder of winter. I have been checking for any work online and unable to locate any. Could you please advise of the best website.
Regards
Dennis
Earn money from a caravan park = lose money from pension. !!!
Agreed. If your are on the pension you don’t claim the tax free threshold and you lose 50 cents in the dollar on pre tax earnings plus tax on gross income.
Basically you’re working for almost nothing after losing part of your pension.
We’re not that desperate or bored.
Great article and needs to be put out into the media land in a larger scale.
There could be a lot of people experiencing a financial shortfall due to the economic situation currently. This idea could resolve some if those issues very quickly & as mentioned they have accommodation at hand. Win win for all..
Would definitely love to travelling round Aussie with a partner and a fur baby
Work, a dirty four letter word, loving retirement using our super plus a part Govt pension.
Yes in the past have worked in return for free accomodation. If you don’t mind cleaning the odd loo or mowing etc this is a great way to see australia
My husband and I did for a couple months last and really enjoyed it
Yes I would love to work whilst travelling and assist the caravan park owners. I am a professional IT person witb over 30 IT experience and my husband is a constriction plumber.
Pulled in to where we worked the winter season last year. We just popped in to stay a couple of nights just to say hi… that was 6 weeks ago
Both Hubby and Myself currently searching for live in position receptionist with RMS9 plus experience hubby Grounds/maintenance/
amenities Type role.Available start end of August.
Hi Tracey. Very interested in getting some RMS9 plus training/education. Just wondered if you could you direct me where I could get some learning in this please?
Yes, we would like to work in one.
We would both love to work in parks
Yes would live too
Would love to work on the road
We are off shortly and be keen for a few hours here and there in coastal qld
We will be travelling after Christmas and can help out with the work required to run a park my wife is a cleaning contractor and I am a structural works coordinator which is in charge of maintenance for council where I work we are taking 12 months off before retiring we have run a park before would be great to have suggestions on where to head first
Yes looking for work in the industry
Wife and I are ready to go. We have our own van
My husband and I are travelling up the Qld coast at the moment. I have recent office and previous housekeeping experience from a numbers of years ago. Always willing to learn more. Hubby handyman and plasterer. Happy to settle for a while. Going north from Mackay at present.
Hi, yes we would love to. Seeking in SA as of October 2022 until late January 2023.
NSW would be a possibility as well. Thanks in advance for your interest in us.
Yes would like to
As a couple if one works the partner also loses some pension as we found out- no more working for us.
U realise Ur are allowed to earn $7,000-$11,000 b4 r pension is affected..