Queensland employer also offering $5,000 sign-on bonus
Minister for Seniors Casey Costello said it is "not unusual" for Australian employers to scout talent in New Zealand following a new recruitment drive from a Queensland organisation that is luring Kiwis with generous incentives.
The employer, Mercy Community, is offering aged care workers in New Zealand up to $5,000 in relocation assistance and a $5,000 sign-on bonus when they get hired for its new Queensland facility.
The organisation is also offering free accommodation, salary packaging, novated leasing, as well as immigration or visa support, the New Zealand Herald reported, citing Mercy Community's public post.
"It's not unusual for Australian employers to look to New Zealand or for our workers to look at opportunities there," said Costello, who is also the associate health minister, as quoted by the Herald.
"As long as we have a single labour market, there's going to be a movement back and forth."
But the invitation comes amid problems in New Zealand's aged care sector, according to the Herald report, citing a recent review of the sector which revealed that it was underfunded, with material ethnic inequities and employees suffering from significant workforce pressures.
"Aged care providers are under increasing financial strain, as government funding has not kept pace with the rising costs of care, nor does it cover any capital investment such as facility maintenance or upgrades or building new beds – despite a severe looming bed shortage," said Tracey Martin, Aged Care Association chief executive, as quoted by the Herald.
Tracey McLellan, Labour's associate health spokeswoman, also called for better pay for aged care workers in the country.
"With job losses and underfunding in the health sector here, it's not surprising to see Australia – a country with a highly unionised workforce and better pay and working conditions – trying to make the most of it and entice people over," McLellan said.
Mercy Community's offer also comes amid concerns that New Zealand could potentially suffer from a brain drain in the future. The possibility was previously admitted by Social Development Minister Louise Upston, who said these people have to "make some tough choices."
"For some, it may well mean that we lose a range of people, including some of our best and brightest," she previously said.
Recruiters are also aware and are concerned about the possibility of a brain drain, but they noted that demand for talent remains strong in New Zealand despite recent layoffs and restructuring.
"The numbers still stack up, unemployment rate is still only about four per cent," Michael Viner, managing director at Customise Talent Partners, previously said.
"I think we've been through the bad stuff economically, and I'd start to have some more confidence there."
