A perfect storm of strong trade coupled with a lack of seasonal workers and regular hospitality and tourism employees looking for other lines of work due to the recent lockdown has created a headache for some businesses.

Shoal Bay Country Club is looking to recruit about 100 people into a wide variety of positions.

"There isn't a role in this venue that we're not hiring for," operations manager Sam Dick said.

The business is offering staff bonuses of up to $1000 for recruiting successful candidates, while club members will receive $250 food and beverage vouchers if they refer someone who gets hired. New full-time recruits who weren't referred are also being offered $1000 bonuses, and Mr Dick said the business is even offering to help new staff with accommodation in the company branch.

"We haven't gone to this extent before," he said. "The competition is now between businesses in the area rather than applicants."

Murray's at Bob's Farm is also looking for about 40 people to fill roles as the company expands from a brewery to an all encompassing venue.

But the large amount of vacancies means there are fewer candidates applying.

"Last week we had maybe seven people apply for the 40 jobs," a Murray's spokesperson said. "Port Stephens is an area that is not seen as a source of jobs for people in Newcastle of Maitland and we're also suffering a lack of response due to the housing situation."

The busy coastal area has become even more of an attraction over the past two years as border closures have driven people to seek getaways closer to home.

This demand is what has allowed Murray's to expand. The site has dropped 'Brewery' from its title as it undergoes a large redevelopment to offer a cellar door, homewares, bar and kitchen, high tea pavillion, fine dining and cellar.

"A shift really needs to occur," the spokesperson said. "The demand is here. There is more demand than we have service."

The squeeze is even being felt by smaller workforces. Oakvale Wildlife Park at Salt Ash is currently seeking about eight more staff members.

"Which is fairly substantial for a team of approximately 34," co-owner Leanne Samson said. "It's also for a growing business, we're not just replacing existing staff, we also have new positions that are available."

Ms Sansom said business had been slowly building since the lockdown ended and they were looking to fill positions "right across board" to keep the park running smoothly, including animal care traineeships, hospitality and administration and building, construction and maintenance.

She said while the pandemic was no doubt having an impact on the job market, she had a more philosophical theory as to why. "People as a result of lockdown have really revisited what they're doing and why they're doing it, and are looking at career changes for all sorts of reasons," Ms Sansom said.

"They're either coming into hospitality because they want to be front-facing and don't want to be stuck in front of a computer anymore.

"Others are looking for something that is more secure, where there's not the threat of being shut down and opening up again. Others are looking for something more flexible."

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But not all businesses are struggling to fill roles. Bannisters at Soldiers Point has a few positions vacant, but general manager Pete Bacon said they proactively recruited over lockdown knowing there would be a rush once everything reopened.

Mr Bacon said a self-ordering system introduced in the restaurant had also helped staff concentrate on other areas of the business.

However he acknowledged there was indeed a staff shortage across the area, and said the threat of an COVID outbreak among the workforce was also now another element to consider when recruiting.

Destination Port Stephens CEO Eileen Gilliland said the problem was happening globally, but it was particularly bad locally at the current time.

While larger businesses have more positions available, she said it was also taking a toll on the smaller venues, some of which have been forced to reduce their hours of operation as they don't have enough staff to cover the day.

Ms Gilliland said this would have knock on effects to the visitor experience over what will be an extended high season this year.

"People don't realise places are understaffed, they just see it as poor service," she said. "So we're asking people, when you do go to businesses, please have a bit patience."

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