The Queensland government is hoping a $7.5 million campaign will lure thousands of workers from across Australia to help rebuild the Sunshine State’s struggling tourism sector.

The “Work in Paradise” campaign, launched on Thursday by premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, will offer eligible workers $1500 in cash, travel vouchers worth up to $250 and low-cost accommodation to take up tourism jobs in regional Queensland.

The Queensland Government will offer $1500 in cash, travel vouchers and low-cost accommodation to lure more workers to support the state’s struggling tourism industry. NCA NewsWire / Dan PeledSource:News Corp Australia

Ms Palaszczuk said the package aimed to address the shortage of workers in the tourism industry, which had been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This exciting initiative will give Queenslanders and other Australians even more reason to come work in our beautiful part of the world,” she said.

“From chefs, waiters and bartenders, through to tour guides and deckhands on the Great Barrier Reef, there are plenty of great opportunities up for grabs.”

Ms Palaszczuk told ABC News she had sat down with tourism leaders who had told her there was a “chronic shortage” of cleaners and hospitality workers.

“It sounds fantastic, it is fantastic,” she said.

“So if you’re thinking about moving, now is the time. Great lifestyle, great place to live, great place to raise a family.

She said anyone wanting a warm change should consider taking up one of the jobs – either north of Mackay, or west of Toowoomba.

“I was out in the outback just the other week, and you know the cafes and restaurants there were telling me the same thing,” she said.

“People are flocking to Queensland for their holidays and I really want to thank people for doing that, but now we want to support that industry even more by offering them this incentive to come and work in paradise.”

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