Australia’s Travel Consultant workforce plays a critical role in supporting domestic and international tourism activity. While more than 8,900 Travel Consultants are currently employed nationally, workforce shortages continue to affect businesses across much of the country.
SaCSA is undertaking detailed research to better understand the factors contributing to workforce challenges and identify opportunities to strengthen attraction, training, retention and career development within the occupation.
The project will combine quantitative workforce and labour market analysis with industry consultation to examine the structural, economic and workforce factors affecting supply and demand for Travel Consultants across Australia.
Insights from this research will help inform future workforce development initiatives, support industry and government decision-making, and contribute to ensuring training pathways remain aligned with the needs of the sector.
SaCSA’s Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Workforce Plan Update 2025 identified Travel Consultants as one of the most critical occupations facing workforce shortages across Australia. According to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage List, Travel Consultants were in shortage across every state and territory in 2025.
Stakeholders consistently highlighted the impact of these shortages on businesses and workforce sustainability. Many reported ongoing difficulties recruiting entry level Travel Consultants, with some noting they could fill significantly more positions if suitably skilled workers were available.
Research identified several workforce pressures, including:
Understanding these drivers is essential to developing evidence-based solutions that support a skilled, resilient and sustainable travel workforce.
SaCSA is seeking expressions of interests for subcontractors on this project.
As part of the broader project, SaCSA is seeking to undertake research with key cohorts to better understand how Travel Consultant careers are perceived, and how those perceptions influence career consideration, attraction, retention and long-term participation.
View our Request for Proposal for details on the scope and submit your expression of interest below.
EOIs Close: 5:00 pm AEST Monday 29 June 2026
