The Case for Removing the International Student Cap for Tourism and Hospitality Courses

Addressing the Workforce Shortage in Hospitality & Foodservice

Tourism Training Australia (TTA) invites you to a critical industry round table to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing our sector – the workforce crisis caused by the reduction in international student enrolments.

This exclusive round table session will bring together key RTO leaders and industry experts to identify challenges, explore policy gaps, and develop a unified lobbying strategy to ensure private training providers are recognised as part of the solution.

The insights from this session will directly inform the TTA Skills Summit at Parliament House, Sydney, on July 17, 2025, where industry leaders and policymakers will collaborate on actionable workforce solutions.

Your expertise is vital in shaping a unified response to drive meaningful change.

📅 Event Details

📍 Location: Restaurant & Catering Boardroom, Sydney
📆 Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
🎤 Chair: John Hart OAM, Chairman, Tourism Training Australia
📌 Project Lead: Venessa Barnes, Tourism Training Australia

🔹 Why Your Attendance Matters

With an estimated shortfall of 200,000 workers in hospitality-related roles, the reduction in international students has become a significant barrier to workforce supply. Private RTOs play a crucial role in filling these gaps, and this round table will lay the groundwork for structured industry lobbying efforts.

This is your opportunity to have a direct impact on future policy discussions, ensuring that private training providers are represented in national workforce planning.

📝 Draft Agenda

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks

• John Hart OAM – The workforce crisis and the impact of reduced international student enrolments.
• Venessa Barnes – TTA’s role in linking industry action with government lobbying.

8:15 AM – 8:40 AM | Identifying Core Issues

• Why was the cap introduced? Understanding government rationale.
• The real impact on hospitality workforce supply.
• The role of private RTOs in addressing labour shortages.

8:40 AM – 9:10 AM | Building an Effective Lobbying Strategy

• Engaging key MPs and policymakers.
• Developing an advocacy toolkit with key messages and economic data.
• Defining clear policy objectives ahead of the next election.

9:10 AM – 9:45 AM | Action Plan & Next Steps

• Assigning lobbying responsibilities.
• Establishing a timeline for industry engagement.
• Preparing for the TTA Skills Summit in July.

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Closing & Commitment to Action

• Final remarks from John Hart and Venessa Barnes.
• Attendee commitments and next steps.

📢 RSVP & Registration

RSVP by Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Secure your place by registering (no costs)

For further details, please contact:
📩 Venessa Barnes – vbarnes@tourismtraining.com.au
📞 0413 732 652