Message from the Chair - The Year Ahead

As we reach the halfway point of 2026, it is an appropriate time to reflect on the resilience and professionalism that continues to define Australia's accommodation sector.

While there are encouraging signs in parts of the market, there is no doubt that many businesses are continuing to navigate significant economic pressures. Rising operating costs, workforce challenges, insurance, energy prices and ongoing cost-of-living impacts on consumers are all placing pressure on margins and reinforcing the need for strong industry representation.

Against this backdrop, I have been pleased to see the extensive advocacy being undertaken on behalf of our members. Our CEO, James Goodwin, has maintained a strong program of engagement with ministers, shadow ministers, MPs and senators from across the political spectrum, ensuring the voice of the accommodation industry is heard at the highest levels. These conversations are critical in promoting policies that support tourism, encourage investment, address workforce challenges and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of our sector.

Advocacy is rarely about a single meeting or announcement. It is built through trusted relationships, consistent engagement and presenting practical solutions to government. Accommodation Australia continues to be recognised as the leading voice for our industry, and that standing is only possible because we represent a united membership.

To this end, we will be holding our August Board meeting at Parliament House in Canberra. Taking our issues directly to them. Not only will we be meeting with the parliamentarians but other key decision-makers from Tourism Australia and the Federal Office of Tourism and the Visitor Economy.

On behalf of the Board and our state and territory managers, I would like to thank every member for your continued support and commitment to Accommodation Australia. Your membership enables us to advocate with strength and credibility while delivering services, insights and opportunities that benefit the entire sector.

As we look ahead to the remainder of the year, we remain committed to working with government, industry partners and, most importantly, you—our members—to ensure Australia's accommodation industry continues to have sustainable growth and be an influential advocate for a better future. 

Many thanks,

David Mansfield

Chair

Message from the CEO's Desk

The past few months have reinforced just how quickly the operating environment for Australia's accommodation sector can change. While our industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience, we're now seeing increasing pressure on demand as economic uncertainty, geopolitical events and regulatory changes from the Federal Budget begin to influence travel and business confidence.

Jenny has more detail in the Policy and Advocacy Update below, but I will add that there are concerns that growth and demand are slowing right at a time when a reliable outlook for investors and operators is important as we head towards important milestones like the opening of the new Western Sydney Airport and the countdown now on for the Brisbane Olympics.

Against this backdrop, Accommodation Australia has been actively advocating on behalf of members. At the Australian Labor Party National Conference in Adelaide, we met with a wide range of Federal Ministers, senior decision-makers and the Prime Minister to reinforce the importance of a strong accommodation sector to Australia's economy.

On workforce issues our message was clear: government must strike the right balance between investing in local skills and training while ensuring migration settings support the workforce our industry needs to grow. Our sector deserves a fairer share of the funds we contribute to the Commonwealth coffers.

The political landscape is also evolving and increasingly fragmented, making these discussions tough. With growing support for minor parties and a new Premier in Victoria creating even more change and uncertainty not only for us, but also for the public servants working on policy and regulatory issues.

We have to remain aware of the community concerns centred on cost of living, housing and migration and our advocacy must continue to be practical, reasonable, work across all parties and focused on delivering outcomes that strengthen tourism, improve workforce capability and reduce the cost of doing business.

Alongside our policy work, we've continued to engage directly with members across the country, I’ve had recent visits to Darwin, Melbourne, Brisbane and Western Australia – Perth and Broome. These conversations are invaluable to me, ensuring our advocacy reflects the real challenges and opportunities facing operators in every market and I appreciate the feedback you all provide.



As we begin the new financial year, Accommodation Australia remains well positioned to champion the interests of our industry. While the months ahead will present challenges, we will continue to advocate strongly, engage constructively with governments of all persuasions, and ensure the voice of Australia's accommodation sector is heard where it matters most.

Kind Regards

James Goodwin

Chief Executive Officer

By Jenny Lambert OAM, National Policy Director

The Federal Budget has come and gone and, this year, it has made a bigger splash than normal due to the significant taxation changes. It will be interesting to see over the coming weeks how that plays out in the opinion polls as well as in parliament.

Migration

Processing - AHA/AA held its first formal quarterly meeting in July to continue to address application processing issues. Both parties agreed that there had been a significant improvement, with a reduction in concerns being raised by members and the Home Affairs delegates becoming more familiar with the hospitality industry. The biggest concern raised in the meeting is that it is now not unusual for sponsors to experience a nine-month delay from the time an application is made until a decision has been notified. Although resourcing within the department is partly the problem, incomplete information in the applications remains an important part of the delay with this problem arising more with the visa applicant information. DHA provided us two guides, one for the employer and one for the visa applicant. If you are planning to sponsor a migrant, please use the employer checklist for your own benefit and pass on the visa applicant checklist to the person you wish to sponsor. Both of these guides can be found in the links below:

• Guide to employer sponsors of skilled migrants to better complete their nomination application
• Guide to visa applicants

Policy – Since the last Board meeting, we have met with the Minister for Home Affairs and the policy division of the Department of Home Affairs. The Minister acknowledged that migration was not the cause of the housing problem but needs to be part of the solution. He also said that the government is looking at mechanisms to concentrate on younger, single skilled migrants to keep the skills needed but not add to total migration with secondary visa holders.

An updated Core Skills Occupation list (CSOL) which was reviewed by JSA last year (to which we made a submission) was due out before 1 July 2026 but still has not been released. This reflects a reluctance to make any announcements on migration given it is such a strong political focus on other political parties. In the coming months, there is likely to be further limitations on students and working holiday makers as a reflection of community sentiment.

Apprenticeship numbers continue to fall

The latest apprenticeship figures released by the NCVER In June for December 2025 confirm that the number of chef apprentices and hospitality trainees continues to fall. In 2025, across all industries trade commencements fell to 76,585 (down 4.2%), marking the third consecutive annual decline. Across both apprenticeships and traineeships, the most significant falls in numbers in training were seen in Tasmania, the ACT, and Victoria.

As the table below shows, the number of chefs in both commencement and in training have fallen significantly in the year to December 2025, dropping 5.2% and 13.2%, respectively. However, the number of completions for chefs has risen 19.7%, from 1,100 to 1,330 for the year, due largely to the apprenticeship finalisation of those that started during the COVID-19 incentive boost. Concerningly, these falls predate the further reduction of incentives which took effect on 1 January 2026 and also in the May budget, which is sure to see these numbers falling further. The previous loss of incentives for hospitality traineeships continues to see those numbers fall in all three contract statuses, with commencements down 14.7% on the previous year, and the hospitality traineeships in training falling by 23.7% to 4,620.

NABERs Energy rating system

AA met with officials from the Department Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) earlier this month as a follow up to the site visits and information provided to the department earlier this year to address the proposal that the NABERs rating system be compulsory for hotels over 100 rooms. We reinforced our advocacy position that although NABERs is a valuable option for addressing carbon emissions, it is not the only option and that hotels were making significant efforts using a range of different programs. The key goal is to, if possible, avoid a compulsion to put in place a program which is expensive to implement and to renew. The department said that the information provided by AA was valuable input into the Regulatory Impact Statement currently being prepared and that there will be further formal consultations later this year. There are no plans to introduce legislation in 2026 so it is unlikely we will see any finalisation of the proposal for at least a year. It was also clear from the discussions that the NABERs rating system is not even an option for many properties over 100 rooms as it cannot be readily applied to hotels which are in more than one building (for example resorts including individual cabin style would be excluded). This would mean that if the government continues to pursue the requirement for only the NABERs rating, this would impose a regulatory cost on some properties but not others.

Digital travel declaration to modernise Australia's border experience

Accommodation Australia has welcomed the announcement that the government will invest $56.1 million over four years to modernise Australia’s border processing systems and deliver the digital Australian Travel Declaration, following a successful trial on Qantas flights into Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. It is expected to be rolled out over the next 12 to 18 months. The digital declaration will provide a faster, paperless option for millions of Australian residents and international visitors arriving by air or sea. AA CEO James Goodwin said the long-awaited change was a win for travellers and the industry. “We are competing with destinations around the world that have already modernised their airport experience. This is the first impression travellers have of our country and we all know first impressions matter." For the AA media release see here.

Regards,

Jenny Lambert OAM

Please Note: Accommodation Australia releases a fortnightly Advocacy Update Newsletter. If you are interested in receiving this information, please click here to register your email address.

Hotel Performance in June 2026

CoStar data for June 2026 shows hotel performance improved across Australia, with higher occupancy and room rates supporting stronger revenue growth. Most states recorded gains, particularly Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia, while Western Australia and the Northern Territory were the only markets to experience notable declines in occupancy.

• National average occupancy was up 1.1% to 67.9% for June, ADR slightly up 2% to $224.57 resulting in a RevPAR increase of 3.2%. Across the first six months, occupancy was up 0.9% and ADR up 3.7%.
• NSW experienced an average occupancy of 68.9%, up 0.6% compared with June last year, with ADR up 2.9% to $233.57. In the first six months, occupancy was up 1.2% and ADR up 4.9%.
• Victoria's occupancy rose 3.8% to 64.5%, and ADR stayed consistent at $195.81. Year to Date (YTD) occupancy was up 0.7% and ADR up 1.4%.
• Queensland occupancy rose by 0.8% to 68.2%, and ADR rose by 3.8% to $243.40. YTD occupancy rose 0.9% and ADR up 3.4%.
• SA occupancy up 3.5% to 66.9% for June, and ADR up 3% to $188.80. YTD occupancy was up 2.5% and ADR up 6.2%.
• WA occupancy down 3.2% to 72.4%, and ADR down 0.9% to $235.64. YTD occupancy was up 0.1% and ADR up 4.7%.
• Tasmanian occupancy up 4.5% to 65.9%, and ADR up 4.1% to $209.70. YTD occupancy down 0.2% and ADR up 6.6%.
• NT occupancy down 6.2% to 64.4% but ADR up 3.4% to $262.89. YTD Occupancy down 2.6% but ADR up 2.2%.
• ACT & Canberra occupancy up 3.6% to 70% and ADR also up 0.2% to $188.78. YTD occupancy up 0.2% and ADR down 0.4%.

Preliminary capital city CoStar data for the month to July the 25th shows that occupancy softened across most capital city hotel markets, although several cities continued to achieve moderate growth in average daily rates:

• Sydney saw a 0.2% rise in occupancy to 79.0% compared to the corresponding period in July 2025, while ADR increased 1.6% to $247.55.
• Melbourne occupancy fell 0.3% to 73.9% and ADR fell 5.9% to $196.85.
• Brisbane occupancy fell 1.4% to 79.9%, while ADR declined 9.2% to $253.50.
• Adelaide occupancy fell 5.1% to 72.4% and ADR fell 3.3% to $190.48.
• Perth occupancy fell 3.5% to 76.3% but ADR was up 2.3% to $229.43.
• Hobart occupancy rose 4.7% to 74.6% and ADR increased 3.5% to $185.00.
• Darwin occupancy fell 5.1% to 80.8% but ADR rose 9.6% to $291.62.
• ACT and Canberra occupancy decreased 1.6% to 80.3% but ADR down 7.5% to $186.87.
• Gold Coast occupancy was down 2.3% to 73.3% and ADR up 7.5% to $301.74. 

The graphs below derived from the CoStar data show the monthly average performance of occupancy and ADR across Australia since January 2023.

Prepare for 1 October 2026

American Express, together with other payment providers, has confirmed it will implement the Reserve Bank of Australia's recommendations on merchant card payment costs and surcharging, including the removal of card surcharges from 1 October 2026.

As accommodation businesses prepare for these changes, American Express has outlined the support and resources available to help merchants navigate the transition while continuing to engage its Card Members, who represent a significant segment of Australia's travel and accommodation market. For more information, click here.

eeger celebrates one year of connecting people with careers

On 25 July, eeger celebrated its first anniversary, marking 12 months since Australia’s national jobs, careers, and training platform for Tourism, Hospitality, and Travel went live.

Developed to address the workforce needs of our industries, eeger brings jobs, career pathways, training opportunities, and industry information together in one dedicated platform. It helps job seekers discover the extraordinary breadth of careers available, while giving employers a place to promote their opportunities and connect with people interested in joining our industries.

Celebrating a strong first year

In its first 12 months, eeger has achieved:

• 665,000 website views
• 17,900 registered users
• More than 105,000 job opportunities advertised
• Jobs promoted across every Australian state and territory
• More than 60 events and industry engagements
• Participation in 42 industry and employer events
• Attendance at 13 careers fairs and expos across five states
• 14 presentations delivered to industry and workforce audiences

These results demonstrate the growing demand for a dedicated platform that helps people understand where a career in Tourism, Hospitality, and Travel can take them.

Over the past year, eeger has taken that message directly to job seekers, students, career advisers, employers, and industry leaders across Australia. From careers fairs and major expos to conferences and industry events, each engagement has been an opportunity to showcase the depth and breadth of careers available across accommodation and the wider visitor economy.

An industry-wide achievement

eeger’s first-year milestone reflects an extraordinary collaborative effort across our industries.

The platform is funded by the Australian Government through Austrade and delivered by Accommodation Australia, with the support and expertise of industry associations, employers, educators, workforce specialists, and partners across the country.

That industry collaboration is central to eeger’s purpose. No single organisation can address our workforce challenges alone. By coming together, we can present a stronger and more compelling picture of the opportunities available and help more people see accommodation as a place to begin, develop, and build a rewarding long-term career.

Help shape eeger’s second year

As eeger enters its second year, employer participation will be essential to continuing its growth and impact.

By registering your organisation on eeger, you can:

• Create an employer profile showcasing your business, workplace, and career pathways
• Promote current vacancies to people actively exploring careers in Tourism, Hospitality, and Travel
• Increase the visibility of accommodation roles and the many career opportunities available
• Access training information, workforce resources, and industry support
• Contribute to a stronger, unified industry presence for prospective employees

Every employer profile and job opportunity added to eeger helps demonstrate the size, diversity, and potential of our industries.

Register your business today

Join the growing eeger community and help connect more people with careers in accommodation, Tourism, Hospitality, and Travel.

Register today at: https://eeger.com.au

For assistance setting up your employer profile, contact the eeger team at hello@eeger.com.au.

Warm Regards

Emilie Howe

General Manager, eeger

Upcoming Events

Accommodation Australia is hosting numerous events across the country. Please visit the links below for updated list of events in each state/territory.

Other events include Hotel Market Updates across Australia. Please keep an eye out for the calendar of events from your state /territory representatives.

Applications for the Amex Shop Small Grants program are now open.

We're pleased to share an exciting opportunity from our valued partner,

American Express. As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting Australia's small business community, Amex has partnered with Mainstreet Australia to support small businesses to grow, innovate and support their local communities through the Amex Shop Small Grants program, offering up to 100 grants nationwide.

From 27 July 2026, eligible small business owners can apply for a chance to receive a $20,000 grant.¹

Could this be you?

Learn more about the Amex
Shop Small Grants program
and apply for a chance to receive $20,000 in funding for your small Business.
Eligibility and T&Cs apply.¹

Applications are open from 27 July until 6 September 2026.

Shop Small delivers big benefits

Shop Small

is a year-round program founded 
by American Express in 2013 to encourage their Card Members 
to shop locally. The program provides tools, marketing support and a 
variety of resources to help small business thrive and grow.

Terms and Conditions

1. Terms, eligibility criteria and exclusions apply. For full T&Cs on the Grants Program, visit https://mainstreetaustralia.org.au/amexshopsmallgrantsprogram/.
2. Based on Amex internal data. Includes spend by all Amex Card Members at businesses included in the Shop Small campaign for all years 2013 to 2025 inclusive.

Making financial advice more accessible for employees

Hostplus helps make financial advice more accessible for employees who are Hostplus members through its digital platform, SuperSmart, as well as via phone, video and face-to-face support. This flexible approach helps members take the next step with confidence, PLUS makes it easier for employers to provide eligible staff with access to financial guidance. Learn more. For more, visit hostplus.com.au/advice

Hostplus has engaged Industry Fund Services Limited (IFS) ABN 54 007 016 195, AFSL 232514 to facilitate the provision of personal financial advice to members of Hostplus, including via the web-based platform SuperSmart. Advice is provided by Hostplus financial planners who are authorised representatives of IFS. Fees may apply. For further information about the cost of personal advice and SuperSmart eligibility criteria visit hostplus.com.au/advice

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 Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination available at hostplus.com.au/pds and hostplus.com.au/ddo before making a decision.

Issued by Host-Plus Pty Limited ABN 79 008 634 704 as trustee for the Hostplus Superannuation Fund ABN 68 657 495 890.

From 27 September 2026, the EU's Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive will change the rules on environmental claims globally. If your property appears on international booking platforms or markets to European travellers, this applies to you. Vague terms like "eco" and "sustainable" will no longer be enough. Find out how Ecotourism Australia certification keeps you compliant and credible. Click through to link on website.

CoStar with STR Benchmark: Connect your top and bottom line

The industry’s leading hotel benchmarking platform now includes P&L metrics—showing not just how much revenue you generate, but how effectively you convert it into profit. More than 90,000 hotels worldwide already rely on CoStar to benchmark performance. Discover the only solution that unifies revenue, profitability, and property lifecycle insights in one integrated view.

[Participate in P&L Benchmarking] | [Request a full platform demo]