There are currently no laws in Australia that require the COVID-19 vaccination to be mandatory. Employers are not required to enforce their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 despite obvious benefits from being vaccinated. What does it mean for businesses?
States and territories can however make the vaccination mandatory for some industries or workers through public health orders. More information is available on the public health orders page.
Employers can request their employees to be vaccinated if it is lawful and reasonable to do so. Vaccination requests must comply with contracts and laws. For roles involving high-risk or vulnerable groups, employer direction to vaccinate is generally considered reasonable.
The determination on whether an employer’s request for their employees to receive the vaccination is assessed on a case by case basis.
Even if someone is vaccinated, it is too early to know whether it prevents them from being infected and carry the virus. This is why it is important that you continue to apply COVID-19 practices in your workplace and minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 as vaccinated employees may still carry and spread the virus to those around them, including workers and others in the workplace.
If you need help with understanding how the WHS Laws apply to your workplace, contact the WHS regulator.
Title: COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace.
Source: COVID-19 vaccinations & the workplace – Fair Work Ombudsman | Fair Work Ombudsman – Coronavirus
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