Restaurateurs and hospitality operators are being forced to close or shorten their opening hours over the Christmas period due to staff shortages.

Young Australians are copping much of the blame for refusing to get a job while living at home and/or receiving welfare payments, despite some hospitality jobs paying up to six figures.

Demographer Mark McCrindle told Joe Hildebrand more young people are getting university degrees, and are undertaking summer classes or volunteering roles while waiting to take up highly skilled professional “knowledge economy” roles.

“Another incentive that they have away from these roles is the bank of mum and dad – they’re not having to cover the rent as much now.

“Nor, indeed is there any aspiration to save for a deposit because … the average house is so expensive.

“They don’t so much have to do the dishwashing roles that we used to know in the past.”

Press PLAY below to hear his advice for employers in need of staff

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