Australia’s hotel industry is heading into 2025 with revenue forecast to reach AUD 20.1 billion by 2028, while occupancy is expected to climb to 72% nationally. Behind that momentum sits a workforce of 142,000 full time equivalent roles and a labour churn rate of 32% a year, with casual staff making up 45% of employees. How those shifting staffing patterns map to performance from Sydney to regional Queensland is what makes this dataset worth a closer look.
Key Takeaways
- Australia hotel industry employed 142,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2023.
- NSW hotel workforce totaled 52,000 employees in FY2023.
- Average hotel wage AUD 68,500 annually in 2023.
- In FY2023, the Australian hotel industry generated total revenue of AUD 14.2 billion, a 18.4% increase from FY2022 driven by post-COVID recovery.
- New South Wales hotels achieved AUD 5.1 billion in revenue in 2023, accounting for 36% of national hotel revenue.
- Average profit margin for Australian hotels rose to 28.5% in 2023 from 22.1% in 2022 due to higher occupancy.
- Total room supply in Australian hotels reached 285,000 rooms in 2023.
- New hotel openings added 8,200 rooms nationally in 2023.
- Sydney market has 42,000 hotel rooms as of 2023.
- Australia hotel occupancy rate averaged 68.5% in 2023, up from 55.2% in 2022.
- Sydney hotels occupancy 72.3% in Q4 2023.
- National demand grew 14.7% year-over-year to 45.2 million room nights in 2023.
- Australian hotel industry projected to grow revenue at 6.2% CAGR to AUD 20.1 billion by 2028.
- Occupancy forecasted to reach 72% nationally by 2025.
- International visitor nights expected to hit 120 million by 2028, boosting hotels.
Australia’s hotel industry rebounded strongly in 2023, boosting revenue and occupancy while expanding jobs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment Statistics26 stats
01
Australia hotel industry employed 142,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2023.
02
NSW hotel workforce totaled 52,000 employees in FY2023.
03
Average hotel wage AUD 68,500 annually in 2023.
04
Queensland hotels employed 38,500 staff, up 12% from 2022.
05
Victoria hospitality jobs in hotels 31,200 in 2023.
06
Female representation in hotel workforce 58% nationally 2023.
07
Sydney hotels 22,000 direct jobs, 40% of NSW total.
08
Casual staff accounted for 45% of hotel employees in 2023.
09
Gold Coast hotel employment 18,900 in 2023.
10
Labour turnover rate in hotels 32% annually 2023.
11
Brisbane hotels 14,500 workers amid expansion.
12
Apprenticeships in hotels numbered 4,200 in 2023.
13
Perth hotel jobs grew 25% to 12,300 in 2023.
14
International student workers in hotels 15% of casual staff 2023.
15
Melbourne hotel employment recovered to 19,800 in 2023.
16
Average hours worked per hotel employee 34.2 weekly 2023.
17
Luxury hotels employed 28,000 staff nationally.
18
Regional QLD hotel jobs 9,500 in 2023.
19
Wage growth in hotels 5.8% to AUD 32.50 hourly 2023.
20
Adelaide hotels 7,200 employees, up 10%.
21
Disability employment in hotels 4.2% of workforce 2023.
22
Canberra hotel staff 4,100 steady in 2023.
23
Darwin hotels employed 2,800 amid tourism boom.
24
Underemployment rate in hotels 18% in 2023.
25
Management roles grew 8% to 15,000 in hotels 2023.
26
Tasmania hotel workforce 3,900 in FY2023.
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
The Australian hotel industry in 2023 was a dynamic, often precarious ecosystem of 142,000 souls, where rising wages and employment clashed with high turnover and underemployment, proving that building a vibrant hospitality sector is as much about retaining people as it is about hiring them.
02 · Category
Financial Performance30 stats
01
In FY2023, the Australian hotel industry generated total revenue of AUD 14.2 billion, a 18.4% increase from FY2022 driven by post-COVID recovery.
02
New South Wales hotels achieved AUD 5.1 billion in revenue in 2023, accounting for 36% of national hotel revenue.
03
Average profit margin for Australian hotels rose to 28.5% in 2023 from 22.1% in 2022 due to higher occupancy.
04
RevPAR for Australian hotels reached AUD 142 in Q4 2023, up 12% year-over-year.
05
Queensland's hotel sector reported AUD 3.8 billion revenue in 2023, boosted by international tourism rebound.
06
Victoria hotels saw a 25% revenue growth to AUD 2.9 billion in FY2023 amid events recovery.
07
Average daily rate (ADR) for luxury hotels in Australia averaged AUD 285 in 2023.
08
Total Profit Before Tax for Australian hotels was AUD 3.97 billion in 2023.
09
Sydney CBD hotels generated AUD 2.4 billion revenue, 47% of NSW total in 2023.
10
Midscale hotels contributed 42% of total industry revenue at AUD 6.0 billion in 2023.
11
EBITDA for Australian hotel sector hit AUD 4.5 billion in FY2023, a record high.
12
Gold Coast hotels revenue surged 32% to AUD 1.8 billion in 2023.
13
Independent hotels achieved 15% revenue growth to AUD 4.2 billion nationally in 2023.
14
Melbourne hotels revenue recovered to AUD 1.7 billion, up 28% from 2022.
15
National hotel GOPPAR reached AUD 210 in 2023, reflecting strong pricing power.
16
Perth hotels saw revenue double to AUD 1.2 billion in 2023 due to mining boom.
17
Budget hotels generated AUD 2.1 billion, 15% of total revenue in 2023.
18
Brisbane hotels revenue hit AUD 1.5 billion, up 22% with Olympics anticipation.
19
Upscale segment revenue AUD 3.9 billion, 27% market share in 2023.
20
Adelaide hotels revenue grew 19% to AUD 650 million in FY2023.
21
Total hotel investment transactions valued at AUD 2.8 billion in 2023.
22
Darwin hotels revenue AUD 320 million, 24% growth from defense spending.
23
Economy hotels ADR averaged AUD 135, revenue AUD 1.9 billion in 2023.
24
Tasmania hotels revenue AUD 450 million, up 16% in 2023.
25
Canberra hotels AUD 520 million revenue, boosted by government travel.
26
Luxury segment profit margin 35.2% in 2023 nationally.
27
National TRevPAR AUD 165 in Q3 2023.
28
Regional NSW hotels revenue AUD 1.1 billion, 22% growth.
29
Hotel EBITDA margin averaged 32% in 2023.
30
TotalPAR for Australia hotels AUD 185 in 2023.
Interpretation
Financial Performance Interpretation
While the ghost of COVID retreats with its tail between its legs, Australia's hotel industry, led by a profit-hungry New South Wales and a rejuvenated Queensland, is not just checking guests back in but is laughing all the way to the bank with record margins, proving that a sunburnt country also knows how to get well and truly paid.
03 · Category
Infrastructure and Supply26 stats
01
Total room supply in Australian hotels reached 285,000 rooms in 2023.
02
New hotel openings added 8,200 rooms nationally in 2023.
03
Sydney market has 42,000 hotel rooms as of 2023.
04
Pipeline of 25,000 rooms under construction for 2024-2028.
05
Gold Coast supply 32,500 rooms, 11% national share.
06
Melbourne added 2,100 rooms in 2023 expansions.
07
Brisbane hotel rooms totaled 24,000 in 2023.
08
Perth supply grew 9% to 18,500 rooms in 2023.
09
Luxury hotels represent 15% of total room supply at 42,750 rooms.
10
Regional areas have 95,000 hotel rooms in 2023.
11
Adelaide supply 12,300 rooms steady growth.
12
Independent hotels 48% of room inventory 2023.
13
Canberra added 800 rooms in new builds 2023.
14
Darwin supply 4,200 rooms, focused on upscale.
15
Tasmania hotel rooms 6,800 with eco-focus.
16
Branded chains control 52% of national supply.
17
NSW total rooms 85,000, largest market.
18
Midscale segment 28% supply share 2023.
19
Renovations completed on 15,000 rooms in 2023.
20
Queensland supply 72,000 rooms post-expansion.
21
Victoria rooms 52,000 including apartments.
22
Budget hotels 22% of supply at 62,700 rooms.
23
Pipeline in Sydney 5,200 rooms for next 3 years.
24
Average hotel size 120 rooms nationally 2023.
25
Eco-certified hotels 18% of supply in 2023.
26
Serviced apartments added to supply 35,000 units.
Interpretation
Infrastructure and Supply Interpretation
Australia's hotel industry is on a spirited sprint to expand its kingdom, laying down 25,000 new room bricks for the future while meticulously painting its existing landscape in increasingly greener and more luxurious shades.
More related reading
04 · Category
Occupancy and Demand28 stats
01
Australia hotel occupancy rate averaged 68.5% in 2023, up from 55.2% in 2022.
02
Sydney hotels occupancy 72.3% in Q4 2023.
03
National demand grew 14.7% year-over-year to 45.2 million room nights in 2023.
04
Melbourne occupancy recovered to 67.8% annually in 2023.
05
Gold Coast peak season occupancy hit 89% in Dec 2023.
06
Brisbane hotels 70.1% occupancy, driven by domestic leisure.
07
Perth occupancy surged to 74.5% in 2023 from 62% prior year.
08
International guest room nights up 85% to 12.5 million in 2023.
09
Luxury hotels occupancy 76.2% national average 2023.
10
Regional Victoria occupancy 65.4% in FY2023.
11
Adelaide CBD occupancy 69.8%, up 11 points from 2022.
12
Domestic demand 32.7 million room nights, 72% of total in 2023.
13
Canberra winter occupancy 68% in 2023.
14
Darwin peak occupancy 82.3% during dry season 2023.
15
Tasmania occupancy averaged 64.7%, boosted by nature tourism.
16
Midscale hotels occupancy 71.5% nationally 2023.
17
Sydney international occupancy share 35% in 2023.
18
Queensland average occupancy 73.2% for year ending 2023.
19
Budget segment occupancy 66.8% amid value seekers.
20
NSW regional occupancy 63.4% in 2023.
21
Peak weekend occupancy nationally 85.2% in 2023.
22
Business hotel occupancy 69.1% post-hybrid work shift.
23
Leisure demand up 22% to 28 million room nights 2023.
24
Upscale hotels occupancy 74.8% average 2023.
25
Melbourne events drove 78% occupancy in Q2 2023.
26
National shoulder season occupancy 62.5% in 2023.
27
International arrivals contributed 28% to hotel demand in 2023.
28
Perth FIFO worker demand occupancy 79% in mining areas 2023.
Interpretation
Occupancy and Demand Interpretation
While Australia’s hotels are collectively humming again, the recovery’s real tune is a chaotic medley, from sold-out luxury suites and Gold Coast holidays to budget-conscious road trippers and Perth’s fly-in miners, proving the nation’s hospitality is back in business but catering to a newly reshuffled deck of guests.
05 · Category
Trends and Future Outlook26 stats
01
Australian hotel industry projected to grow revenue at 6.2% CAGR to AUD 20.1 billion by 2028.
02
Occupancy forecasted to reach 72% nationally by 2025.
03
International visitor nights expected to hit 120 million by 2028, boosting hotels.
04
Sustainability investments in hotels to rise 25% annually through 2027.
05
Domestic tourism demand projected 4% growth per year to 2030.
06
RevPAR expected AUD 170 by end of 2025.
07
Hotel employment to add 25,000 jobs by 2028.
08
Brisbane 2032 Olympics to add 10,000 rooms demand spike.
09
Tech adoption like contactless check-in in 65% hotels by 2025.
10
Bleisure travel to account for 30% of hotel stays by 2027.
11
Luxury segment ADR growth 7% CAGR to 2030.
12
Regional hotel supply growth 3.5% annually to 2028.
13
EV charging stations in 40% of hotels by 2026.
14
Gen Z travelers 25% of hotel market by 2028.
15
Wellness hotels supply double to 15% by 2027.
16
Sydney RevPAR projection AUD 200 by 2026.
17
Carbon neutral hotels target 50% by 2030.
18
Short-term rental competition to stabilize at 20% market share.
19
AI personalization in 55% hotels by 2025.
20
Perth mining-driven demand +15% growth to 2028.
21
Food & beverage revenue share to 45% by 2027.
22
Occupancy in Gold Coast forecast 78% by 2025.
23
Investment volumes AUD 3.5 billion annually post-2025.
24
Melbourne events calendar to drive 75% occupancy peaks.
25
Budget segment growth 5% CAGR through 2030.
26
Remote work pods in 30% hotels by 2026.
Interpretation
Trends and Future Outlook Interpretation
Australia's hotel industry is soberly trading its 'G'day, mate' for 'G'day, meta,' as it meticulously balances booming revenues and surging tourists with a tech-forward, eco-conscious agenda designed to keep both Gen Z and the planet from checking out early.
Reference
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APA
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). Australia Hotel Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-hotel-industry-statistics
MLA
Marie Larsen. "Australia Hotel Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-hotel-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marie Larsen. 2026. "Australia Hotel Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-hotel-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
34 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level