Australia’s adventure-tourism sector faces disruption after Skydive Australia staff walked off the job on 20 February 2026. The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) says operator Experience Co wants Home Affairs approval to import 37 overseas tandem-skydiving instructors and pay them less than existing employees.
Union officials accuse the company of cancelling local training programs and using the skilled-migration system to undercut wages. Striking instructors will remain grounded until late 23 February, affecting drop zones from Cairns to St Kilda and forcing tourists to rebook or claim refunds.
Businesses navigating cross-border staffing challenges can streamline the necessary visa paperwork through VisaHQ’s online platform. The company’s Australia hub (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers up-to-date guidance on labour-agreement applications, sponsorship obligations and individual work-visa requirements, helping employers stay compliant while filling genuine skills shortages.
![Skydiving instructors strike over plan to hire 37 foreign workers on lower pay]()
For mobility specialists the row is a reminder that labour-agreement visas can touch even niche industries. Employers considering overseas hiring must show genuine skills shortages and labour-market testing; failure to do so risks brand damage and industrial action.
Experience Co maintains that international instructors are needed for seasonal peaks and specialist disciplines, but has not commented on the pay-gap allegation.
The dispute escalates pressure on the government’s forthcoming migration-strategy refresh, which is expected to tighten labour-agreement approval thresholds in tourism and hospitality.
Union officials accuse the company of cancelling local training programs and using the skilled-migration system to undercut wages. Striking instructors will remain grounded until late 23 February, affecting drop zones from Cairns to St Kilda and forcing tourists to rebook or claim refunds.
Businesses navigating cross-border staffing challenges can streamline the necessary visa paperwork through VisaHQ’s online platform. The company’s Australia hub (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers up-to-date guidance on labour-agreement applications, sponsorship obligations and individual work-visa requirements, helping employers stay compliant while filling genuine skills shortages.
For mobility specialists the row is a reminder that labour-agreement visas can touch even niche industries. Employers considering overseas hiring must show genuine skills shortages and labour-market testing; failure to do so risks brand damage and industrial action.
Experience Co maintains that international instructors are needed for seasonal peaks and specialist disciplines, but has not commented on the pay-gap allegation.
The dispute escalates pressure on the government’s forthcoming migration-strategy refresh, which is expected to tighten labour-agreement approval thresholds in tourism and hospitality.
