NSW south coast businesses fear for summer ahead due to staff shortages and Omicron uncertainties

Pub licensee manager Grant Kennedy (right) has had to adapt ahead of summer due to staff shortages. (ABC South East: Keira Proust)

Job vacancies are on the rise across the NSW south coast, prompting many businesses to feel "bittersweet" about the busy months ahead. 

The state's South Coast relies heavily on tourism trade, particularly from Sydneysiders, Canberrans and Victorians during their peak summer holidays.

However, executive director of Business NSW Adam Zarth said current staffing shortages were a major concern for businesses ahead of Christmas.

"And it's not expected to improve either until backpackers return to our shores and foreign migration can restart again."

Executive director of Business NSW Adam Zarth says staff shortages are currently being felt most by businesses across the South Coast. (ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss)

Mr Zarth said job vacancies across the South Coast had drastically increased in the past month alone.

"And over the year we've seen almost a 30 per cent increase in job advertisements across the region.

So, this shows just how tight it's getting out there."

Businesses from right across Australia are struggling with the shortages ahead of summer. (ABC News: Brian Hurst )

Businesses scramble to adapt

For Pambula pub licensee manager Grant Kennedy, the expected surge in tourists alongside a shortage of skilled workers has forced them to change their business model and cancel live music.

"We just can't commit [because] we wouldn't have the staff to be able to service it."

Pub licensee manager Grant Kennedy says the decision to cancel live music is sad but necessary. (ABC South East: Keira Proust)

Mr Kennedy said after a challenging two years of border closures and bushfires an influx in visitors was well needed, but the reality of staff shortages was disheartening.

"It's sort of bittersweet," he said.

"We're all hearing how busy it's going to be; however, everyone is finding it very difficult to get their staffing levels back up to what they were pre-COVID."

Omicron brings uncertainties

Jade Griffiths owns a cinema in Narooma and has also struggled to attract staff, but said it was the uncertainty around the summer ahead that was most concerning.

"It is hard to plan because the last two years have been quite unstable so it's hard to know what to predict," she said.

"Our biggest fear is that something may happen to the borders and travel restrictions."

Jade Griffiths bought the local cinema in Narooma from her grandparents in 2019. (Supplied: Jade Griffiths)

Ms Griffiths took over the business from her grandparents in 2019 and has endured the bushfires and COVID-19 lockdowns since then.

She said the next six months would determine whether they could survive as a small local business.

"If it continues to be quiet in the next six months or so I would start getting quite concerned."

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