Dear Members

Hope you have all enjoyed your Easter and ANZAC break and embraced the travellers visiting or returning to your area. 2023 is certainly shaping up to be brighter and more positive after much disruption in the past few years.

Accommodation Association of Australia has started the year with the fantastic news of our approval to amalgamate on 1^st July 2023. We are busy working behind the scenes to ensure there is a smooth transition across to the new entity “Accommodation Australia” for all members. Please see the media announcement below.

Changes that you can expect in the next few months will include members being contacted by the state-based entities for all event communications, member updates and membership benefits. Members who renew their membership for the 2023/24 year with Accommodation Association of Australia will be pleased to know that their membership fees will remain the same for the first twelve months of Membership with Accommodation Australia.

Members will continue to receive advocacy and public policy updates as well as access to industry events, forums and webinars. Details of upcoming events occurring in the next few months are listed below for your information. If you are interested in attending any of these events, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for more information.

Further developments on the amalgamation will be shared with members as it becomes available.

If there is something you would like to know or are interested in the Association researching on behalf of the industry, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at mail@aaoa.com.au.

Kind Regards,

Michael Johnson

CEO

Accommodation Australia

MEDIA RELEASE:

Date Set for Creation of New Accommodation Body

The Fair Work Commission has confirmed new peak accommodation hotels body, Accommodation Australia, will be officially created on the 1st of July, 2023.

Accommodation Australia is the result of the amalgamation of Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Accommodation Association.

The first President of Accommodation Australia will be Leanne Harwood and the inaugural CEO Michael Johnson.

The final major hurdle for the amalgamation was the Accommodation Association of Australia's members vote.

On 15 February the Australian Electoral Commission announced an overwhelming 96 per cent of AA members had voted in favour of the amalgamation.

"The vote was a strong endorsement and a clear sign members from both organisations are ready to move into the future together as one," Mr Johnson said.

Mr Johnson recently addressed more than 200 guests at Ted's Technology Conference held at The Fullerton Hotel in Sydney, updating the industry on the amalgamation.

"This has been a long time in the making, and is now about to become a reality," said Mr Johnson.

"And it couldn't come at a better time.

"Our industry in many locations is now tracking north of pre-pandemic levels with optimistic forecasts on the horizon."

Media contacts:  TAA- Nikki Taylor: 0477 956 170 or  nikki.taylor@ahansw.co.au  AA -LJ Loch: 0488 038 555 or  ljloch@alphaconsulting.global

To Read More Media Releases, please click here

RECRUITMENT & TRAINING

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

Recently the Association requested that members provide case studies or information from their perspective on how the introduction of the maximum cap on international students working hours would affect their business, teams, services, and overall business environment. First of all, can I thank all the teams across our membership who participated and contributed to this important body of work. We received a significant amount of feedback. Our submission assisted the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in formulating their submission to the Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil, Tourism Minister Don Farrell, Education Minister Jason Clare and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles.

Our submission highlighted our continued concerns on the unintended impact of the reintroduction of a working limit for student visa holders from 1 July. We argue that if the 48-hour per fortnight working limit is implemented as planned, it will have a detrimental impact on accommodation businesses as it still faces significant workforce shortages which is not limited to just our sector but a range of sectors including in other tourism businesses, hospitality, and the events sector.



Read More

New Rostering Rules for Working on Public Holidays

The National Employment Standards (NES) are the legislated minimum standards of employment for all employees in the Federal Industrial system.

One of the NES entitles all permanent employees to be absent on full pay on a public holiday if they would normally have shifts. An employer may request an employee to work on a public holiday if the request is reasonable – an employee may refuse the request if they have a reasonable reason for refusing.

This NES provision has not changed. However, the Federal Court has recently interpreted the meaning of the term – “an employee may refuse the request if they have a reasonable reason…” differently from the way it has conventionally been applied.

The court’s decision now imposes an obligation on employers to notify employees of their rights to reasonably refuse holiday work and issue an invitation to submit their reasons for refusing to work for consideration.

The court seemed to indicate that instead of the above process, an employment contract may contain a provision foreshadowing that the employees may be asked to work on public holidays and may be required where the request is reasonable, and the refusal unreasonable.

Terms in employment contracts that state or suggest that employees are compelled to work on public holidays are invalid, and in breach of the Fair Work Act. Members should remove any such term and replace it to reflect the court’s indication described in the previous paragraph above.

It is likely that this Federal court decision will be appealed. Members will be advised if it is or if there are any related developments.

As always, members are encouraged to contact the Association for guidance about this or any other workplace relations matters.



Noel Teskey

National Manager, Industrial Relations & Member Services

Upcoming Events

In spirit of the Accommodation Association and AHA / TAA amalgamation, the decision has been made to co-host events in 2023. While we still confirm venues and events, the following are save the dates for your reference and Invitations will be sent once events are confirmed:

• AHICE Conference - 03 & 04 May 2023 (Adelaide)
• QLD General Managers Event - 08 May 2023 (Cairns)
• Social Media Training - 09 May 2023 (Sydney)
• VIC Hotel Industry Update - 17 May 2023
• NSW General Managers Lunch - 11 May 2023 (Blue Mountains)
• Sunshine Coast General Managers Event - 23 May 2023
• Brisbane Directors of Sales & Marketing - 01 June 2023
• Gold Coast Directors of Sales & Marketing - 07 June 2023
• Brisbane General Managers Event - 13 June 2023
• IT & Legal Update - 22 June 2023 (Sydney)
• VIC Hotel Industry Update - 28 June 2023
• FNQ Hotel Martket & Economic Outlook Event - 13 July 2023
• Airlie Beach General Managers Event - 18 July 2023
• NSW Awards for Excellence 2023 - 20 July 2023 (Sydney)

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

Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship 

We’re giving a rising star from the next generation of Australian hospitality workers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fast-track their professional development. They’ll return to work with a new skillset and a new perspective. That’s a

plus. Applications are open until Monday 26 June. Read full article here

ahs hospitality is thrilled to renew its partnership with Accommodation Association of Australia. We see this as an important alliance as we continue to support our industry's growth and sustainability. ahs hospitality looks forward to maintaining this partnership and providing innovative housekeeping solutions to enhance the guest experience.

How does the IHS QEHS Management System support your Housekeeping Division?

IHS’ solid reputation as one of the industry leaders has been established over our 25-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.

IHS has a comprehensive ISO accredited QEHS Management System called myBayton, which underpins our service delivery and assures all our policies, procedures and practices adhere to ISO Certifications of Quality, Environment, and Health and Safety (QEHS).