The Acting Chief Health Officer has issued the new COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions, which came into effect at 11:59pm on 7 October 2021.
From 15 October 2021, to work onsite at a work premises, workers must be able to provide evidence to their employer that they have either:
- received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or
- have a booking to receive a first dose by 22 October 2021, or
- have a medical exemption from an authorised medical practitioner.
This means that from 23 October 2021, workers need to have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to attend work — unless they have a medical exemption.
From 26 November 2021, to attend work, workers will also be required to provide evidence to their employer that they have received a second dose – unless they have a medical exemption. The new Directions apply to employers of select workers, including contractors, volunteers and students on placement. A full list of workers can be found here.
The website includes Frequently Asked Question for workers and Frequently Asked Questions for business and industry. This webpage will be updated as further information becomes available.