Are you a hotel receptionist who wants to work and live in Australia? Many people dream of this. Good news – hotels in Australia need experienced staff and some will sponsor your visa! This simple guide shows you the easy steps to get a hotel receptionist job with visa sponsorship.
The Urgent Need for Sponsored Hospitality Talent
Australia has too few hotel receptionists right now. The tourism industry is growing fast, so hotels need more people.
Why hotels need foreign workers
- The job “Hotel or Motel Receptionist” (code 542113) is on the shortage list.
- Hotels can’t find enough local people, so they look overseas.
- Many big hotels are happy to sponsor visas for good workers.
Money and future
- Normal weekly pay is about $1,175 AUD.
- For sponsored jobs, the minimum salary is $76,515 AUD per year (this is called TSMIT – updated July 2025).
- The job has good future demand – you can stay long term.
Skill level needed
You don’t need a university degree. You need Certificate II or III level or at least 1–2 years of real work experience.
Why Do Hotels Offer Visa Sponsorship?
Big hotel groups like Hilton, IHG, Accor, and Marriott often sponsor visas because:
- They need staff who already know hotel systems (especially Opera PMS).
- They want people who speak extra languages (Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, French, etc.).
- They have trouble finding experienced receptionists in Australia.
- Sponsoring a visa helps them get the best workers fast.
After 2–3 years, many workers can apply for permanent residency (PR).
5 Essential Steps to Get Visa Sponsorship
Master the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa
This is the main visa – subclass 482.
What you need:
- An Australian hotel must offer you a job and sponsor you.
- At least 2 years full-time experience as a receptionist (after you turned 18).
- English level – usually IELTS 5.0 or same in other tests.
- Salary must be at least $76,515 AUD per year.
- Health check and police check.
Good tip:
Big hotel chains already have sponsorship approval. It is easier and faster with them.
Target the /Right Australian Locations
Some places need receptionists more than others.
Best places to look:
- Queensland (Gold Coast, Cairns, Brisbane) – lots of tourists.
- Northern Territory – they have special fast visa programs.
- Western Australia regional areas (Broome, Margaret River).
- Tasmania – growing tourism and less competition.
- Sydney and Melbourne – many jobs but very competitive.
Regional jobs often give you a faster way to permanent residency.
Polish Your Hospitality Profile and Key Skills
Make yourself the perfect candidate.
Skills hotels love:
- Opera PMS (very important – write it big on your CV).
- Good English + another language (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, etc.).
- Experience with check-in, check-out, handling complaints, upselling rooms.
- Night audit experience is a bonus.
- Friendly smile and calm under pressure.
Other jobs you can apply for:
- Guest Service Agent
- Front Office Agent
- Concierge
- Night Auditor
- Reservations Agent
All these jobs can get sponsorship too.
Create a Hyper-Optimized Job Application
Do not send the same CV to everyone.
How to write a winning CV:
- Use exact words from the official job description: “greet guests”, “check-in and check-out”, “handle reservations”, “answer phones”, “deal with complaints”.
- Add numbers: “Handled 150 check-ins per day”, “Increased guest review score from 8.2 to 9.1”.
- Make a section called “Hotel Systems”: Opera, Fidelio, RoomMaster, etc.
- At the end of your cover letter write: “I am ready for TSS 482 visa sponsorship and I meet all requirements.”
Leverage Direct Employer Research
Do not wait for jobs on Seek or Indeed only.
Smart ways to find sponsors:
- Go to hotel websites and look at “Careers” page.
- Find big hotels on Google Maps and send email directly to the Front Office Manager or HR.
- Use LinkedIn – search “Front Office Manager Australia” and send polite message.
- Example message: “Hi [Name], I am an experienced hotel receptionist with 4 years using Opera PMS and I speak English and Mandarin. I am looking for 482 visa sponsorship opportunities. Is your hotel currently sponsoring overseas staff? Thank you!”
Hotels that often sponsor:
- Accor Group (Sofitel, Novotel, Ibis)
- Marriott (Westin, Sheraton, Marriott)
- Hilton Worldwide
- IHG (Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn)
- Many resorts in Queensland and NT
Take the Next Step
Your Australian dream can start today! Follow these 5 simple steps:
- Check you have 2 years experience and good English.
- Update CV – put Opera PMS first!
- Apply to big hotels and regional areas.
- Contact managers directly on LinkedIn.
- When you get a job offer, the hotel helps with visa.
Start searching now on Seek, Indeed, Jora, LinkedIn, and hotel websites. Write “482 visa sponsorship” or “willing to sponsor” in the search box.
Good luck! Australia is waiting for you with sunshine, good salary, and friendly people.
Disclaimer:
This information is to help you. Always check the latest rules on the official Australian government website (homeaffairs.gov.au) before you apply. Salaries and rules can change.