RECRUITMENT & TRAINING

We look forward to the next financial year to bring new initiatives to members to help with the ongoing recruitment and training strategies.

• Attracting new staff
• Retention of current staff
• Expansion of The Hub training portal
• Mental Health Support

Stay tuned for more details to come on the ways that we can help you achieve these goals.

By Bassel Tallal, National General Manager for Advocacy and Public Policy

Since our last Key News Update we’ve had a change of Government, this bring many opportunities including to reset and evaluate our engagement. Since the election National General Manager for Advocacy and Public Policy has been updating our engagement plan with the new government. We will also develop a cross bench strategy as well given we have an expanded cross bench in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. All our engagement with the incoming government, opposition and cross bench will be coordinated, strategic and constructive.

The new Federal Government made a commitment prior to the election to invest in $48 million in tourism and travel, with the package aimed to attract and skill-up workers, support quality tourism products, and deliver infrastructure upgrades. A large portion of the package is aimed at training and skills development for the struggling hospitality and accommodation sectors. The announcement included $10 million to expand and enhance the “HUB” operated by the Accommodation Association of Australia. The Hub is a market leading portfolio of game changing programs by the Accommodation Association which we, along with you, our members, have built over many years. This commitment means a substantial investment in our recovering workforce and our local communities. This announcement is a credit to our reputation, advocacy skills, and the hard work by our Chief Operating Officer Cass Champion to deliver employment outcomes by her team and our members who ensure our programs are successful.

Regards,

Bassel Tallal

Higher Wage Rates, Increased Superannuation Payments and New Rules

From 1 July 2022, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will increase by 5.2%. The $40 weekly increase takes the minimum wage to $812.60 per week, or $21.38 per hour.

The NMW applies to employees who are not covered by an award or registered agreement. ‘Award and agreement-free’ employees include senior managers and executives working in the hospitality industry.

Award Minimum Wages for most awards will increase by 4.6% or $40 per week for lower classifications on 1 July 2022.

The 1 July 2022 increase will affect the Hair and Beauty Industry Award and all other modern awards except those covering the aviation, tourism, and hospitality sectors. The increase will commence for these awards, including the Hospitality Industry (General) Award, on 1 October 2022.

Superannuation Guarantee Contributions to increase

From 1 July 2022, Superannuation Guarantee contributions payments will increase from 10% to 10.5%. The new rate is to be used on payments made on or after 1 July 2022, even if some or all of the pay period is for work done before 1 July.

The payments are legislated to increase incrementally to 12% by 2025.

Qualifying thresholds

Currently, employers are obliged to make Superannuation Guarantee contributions for employees earning more than $450 per calendar month (or more than $350 per month if engaged under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award)).

On 1 July 2022, employers will be required to make Superannuation Guarantee contributions for all employees, regardless of how much they earn. An exception applies for employees aged under 18 who must work more than 30 hours per week to qualify.

Reminder to employers - New rules regarding ‘Stapled Superannuation Funds’ have commenced.

On 1 November 2021, new rules regarding stapled superannuation funds came into force.

Under the rules, if a new employee does not nominate a superannuation fund, the employer must check with the ATO to determine whether the employee has an existing stapled fund. If the employee does, superannuation contributions will have to be made into that stapled fund.

Visit   www.ato.gov.au/stapledsuperfund  for more details.

Phone 02 8666 9015 or mail@aaoa.com.au

Risk of defamation claims for social media hosts

Following a number of recent cases, there has been an increasing trend of social media posts that contain defamatory material. For anyone who hosts a social media page or forum and allows others to post to it, there is a risk of being sued for defamation and facing substantial damages claims. The risk of being sued for defamation is even greater where the host has not posted or authorised the post and is unaware of the defamatory material.  

For more information about this issue, click here to read the article prepared by Andrew Nicholson about some recent decisions and the implications in a social media environment that is constantly changing.

Upcoming Events

In spirit of the Accommodation Association and AHA / TAA amalgamation, the decision has been made to co-host events in 2022. We invite our members to attend the following:

• TAA NSW Awards for Excellence – 20 July
• Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence – 18 August 2022

Date Savers:

• HICAP ANZ 2022 – 31 August – 02 September 2022
• ACT Hospitality & Tourism Awards – 19 September 2022
• SA Awards for Excellence – 18 October 2022
• AHA National Awards for Excellence – 28 November 2022

Other events to include Hotel Market Update’s in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne.

If you are interested in hosting one of our events or would like to suggest topics or speakers, please contact us via email to events@aaoa.com.au

New rules for the new financial year

From 1 July 2022, a number of new super rules will be put in place. This includes the removal of the $450 minimum income threshold that applies to Super Guarantee (SG) contributions, and an increase to the SG rate from 10% to 10.5%.   Read More. 

Chat to us at hostplus.com.au/help/contact-us to find out how we can help you manage your changing super admin obligations.

This information is general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if this information is appropriate for you in light of your circumstances before acting on it. Please read the relevant Hostplus Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), available at hostplus.com.au before making a decision about Hostplus. For a description of the target market, please read the Target Market Determination (TMD), available at hostplus.com.au.​​​​​​ Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Issued by Host-Plus Pty Limited ABN 79 008 634 704, AFSL 244392 as trustee for the Hostplus Superannuation Fund (the Fund) ABN 68 657 495 890, MySuper No 68 657 495 890 198.

Get your guests to the airport 

Got a guest in a hurry to get to the airport? Forget pricey rideshare, get them there in a hurry with 13cabs. And no matter what time of the day or night, you’ll pay no surge price ever.

Click here for more information.

To find out more, go to https://www.13cabs.com.au or contact 13cabs Head of Client Services Simon Purssey on 0411 640 096.

While many potential guests may be reacting to a pent-up desire for travel, that does not mean they wish to encounter the same kind of hotel services once considered to be a universal staple across the industry. Many hoteliers have recognized that investing in technology will be vital to keeping pace with today’s guest expectations and modern business needs. With advances in technology continuing at an ever-faster pace, it can be challenging for hoteliers to determine which are essential to the success of their business.

Eliminate some of the guesswork, read our latest blog to discover the technologies that are top of mind for hoteliers across the industry.

The Technologies Driving Hoteliers Towards Investment in 2022 (assaabloyglobalsolutions.com)

The media is warning of a double digit price hike on power bills from 1 July. Now is the time to talk with our Gold Partner, MiC Energy Brokers, to minimize the cost impacts on your business. It’s quick, easy and free to compare and switch.



Learn more

We hope everyone had a safe and happy Pride Month throughout the month of June. Why do ahs hospitality celebrate Pride Month? For many reasons, from wanting to foster an inclusive company culture to supporting the rejuvenation of our industry. Read more.

How do we Stand Out in the Housekeeping Market?

Our Key Differentiators - IHS 6 Pillars

IHS’ solid reputation as one of the industry leaders has been established over our 24-year journey in the Housekeeping industry. During this time we have deployed numerous innovations and rolled out many projects all of which align and support our clients mission, values and sustainability initiatives. 

Click here for more information.