At present, the Thai massage industry in Australia is facing a persistent shortage of skilled workers.During 2024–2025, the Australian Government introduced stricter student visa policies to ensure the integrity of applicants and to prevent the misuse of study pathways for non-genuine purposes.According to The PIE News (2024), the student visa refusal rate in the 2024–25 financial year was approximately 18%, a significant increase from previous years.Similarly, ICEF Monitor (2024) reported that nearly one in five student visa applications were refused during the first half of the same fiscal year — a figure much higher than in the past.
At the same time, a growing number of applicants withdrew their own student visa applications, with VNExpress (2024) noting that more than 15,000 withdrawals, or around 3.6% of total applications, occurred in 2024.Historically, student visa approval rates were above 90%, but they have now dropped to around 82% or lower in some source countries (Work Visa Lawyers, 2024).
Over recent years, Thai massage business owners across Australia have struggled to recruit skilled staff.Even though many operators have raised wages, increased commissions, and improved employee benefits in an effort to attract workers and sustain their businesses, the number of qualified therapists remains far below industry demand.
Many massage businesses are now trapped in an imbalance between rising labour costs and unstable income.
Large multi-branch operators face even heavier financial burdens and operational risks, leading to potential losses or delays in business expansion.
This situation clearly indicates that the Thai massage industry in Australia is standing at a critical turning point.
The tightening of visa policies highlights a broader gap between labour policy and real industry needs.
Meanwhile, Thailand itself has a strong capacity to supply qualified massage therapists — thousands of practitioners have been trained and certified by the Department of Skill Development and the Ministry of Public Health, demonstrating professionalism and internationally recognised safety standards.
This raises an important question:
Is it time for Thailand and Australia to establish an official labour cooperation framework — such as a special visa or quota system for certified Thai massage therapists, approved and screened by Thai government agencies — similar to skilled worker programs in other industries?
Such a policy would ensure legal, transparent, and quality-controlled recruitment while helping to stabilise the industry in both countries.
The Professional Thai Massage Association of Australia (PTMAA) firmly believes that a structured labour system would not only resolve the workforce shortage crisis but also elevate Thai massage as a globally recognised Soft Power, strengthening bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Australia in health, wellness, and creative economy sectors.
Written by:
Tunyaporn Kitchener
Secretary,Professional Thai Massage Association of Australia (PTMAA)
ที่มาอ้างอิง
The PIE News. (2024). Explained: What’s going on in Australian international education? สืบค้นจาก https://thepienews.com
ICEF Monitor. (2024). Australia sees rising student visa refusals amid tighter assessment measures.สืบค้นจาก https://monitor.icef.com
VNExpress International. (2024). Thousands withdraw Australian student visa applications amid stricter scrutiny. สืบค้นจาก https://e.vnexpress.net
Work Visa Lawyers. (2024). Student visa refusal rates increase under new integrity measures. สืบค้นจาก https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au
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References (APA 7th Edition, English)
The PIE News. (2024). Explained: What’s going on in Australian international education? Retrieved from https://thepienews.com
ICEF Monitor. (2024). Australia sees rising student visa refusals amid tighter assessment measures.Retrieved from https://monitor.icef.com
VNExpress International. (2024). Thousands withdraw Australian student visa applications amid stricter scrutiny. Retrieved from https://e.vnexpress.net
Work Visa Lawyers. (2024). Student visa refusal rates increase under new integrity measures.Retrieved from https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au