COVID-19 - Vaccination rollout information - Workers

The Australian Government is committed to providing all Australians with access to free, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. While the aim is to have as many Australians as possible choose to be vaccinated, receiving a vaccination is voluntary. You should get a COVID-19 vaccine if you can.

The Australian Government is working together with state and territory governments to implement the arrangements under the Australian Vaccination Strategy and the Rollout Strategy. Based on the national strategy, the WA COVID-19 vaccine program identifies priority groups for vaccination, including critical and high-risk workers. The rollout has started with older Australians and certain industries.

The COVID-19 vaccines will help protect people by either preventing or reducing symptoms of COVID-19 in the person who has received the vaccine.

At this stage it is too early to tell if the COVID-19 vaccines will stop a vaccinated person from being infected with the virus. This means that a vaccinated person may unknowingly carry and spread the virus to others around them, including workers and others in their workplace. Because of this, your employer must continue to apply all reasonably practicable control measures to stop the spread of the virus.

See How do COVID-19 vaccines work? for more information.

For most workers, your employer will not be able to require you to be vaccinated under work health and safety laws. You cannot be forced to get a vaccination or undergo any medical procedure against your will. However, there are limited circumstances where an employer may require their employees to be vaccinated, but whether an employer can require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is highly fact dependent and takes into account the workplace and each employee’s particular circumstances.

It is unlikely that a requirement for mandatory vaccination would be reasonably practicable. This is because, for example:

• public health experts, such as the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, have not recommended a vaccine be made mandatory in any industries;
• there are currently no laws or public health orders that specifically enable employers to require their employees be vaccinated; and
• there may not yet be a vaccine available for workers.

Some workers may have to get a vaccine under public health orders made by states and territories; for example, for people working in high-risk workplaces. If your employer does require you to be vaccinated because of the industry you work in or the type of work that you do, they should provide you with relevant information and materials so that you can make an informed decision about vaccination and you should talk to your treating medical practitioner if you have any concerns.

You should also stay up-to-date with the advice from the WA Department of Health.

There are currently no laws or public health orders in Australia that specifically require you to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

If you are a worker who cannot be vaccinated, and you work at a workplace or undertake tasks that require vaccination, you should talk to your employer, safety and health representative or worker representative about your options. For information about your workplace rights, go to the Fair Work Ombudsman website. For information on employment issues relating to COVID-19 under the WA state industrial relations system, public sector employees and private sector employees can contact DMIRS.

Generally, employers should not require employees to be vaccinated.

However, there are limited instances where an employer may require an employee to be vaccinated. These are dependent upon whether a law, agreement or employment contract is in place that stipulates it is lawful and reasonable for an employer to direct an employee to be vaccinated.

While it may not be mandatory to be vaccinated in your workplace, the Australian Government is encouraging everyone who can to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you need information on COVID-19 and Australian workplace laws, go to the Fair Work Ombudsman website. The Fair Work Ombudsman has information on workplace rights and obligations during the impact of COVID-19, including on COVID-19 vaccinations. If you work under the WA state industrial relations system, there is information on employment issues relating to COVID-19 for public sector employees and private sector employees on the DMIRS website.

Anti-discrimination laws may also apply. See the WA Equal Opportunity Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission for information on discrimination.

There are limited circumstances where it may be lawful and reasonable for an employer to require mandatory vaccination programs. If your employer is considering introducing a vaccination policy in your workplace, they must consult with you and your safety and health representative, if your workplace has one, before taking any action. Your employer must give you an opportunity to share your ideas and express any concerns and take them into account. You should let them know if there is a reason why you cannot be vaccinated.

Consultation must occur using the established consultation procedures at your workplace. Otherwise, consultation may occur broadly, for example, through staff messaging or more directly, through small group discussions, depending on the size and nature of your organisation.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring Australians have access to safe and effective vaccines. Any COVID-19 vaccine can only be used in Australia if the Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved it through its rigorous approvals process. The Australian Government Department of Health website has information on how the vaccine works and the testing and approvals process for its use.

If you still have concerns about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, you should talk to your treating medical practitioner.

A COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy has been published on the Australian Government Department of Health website.

A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination is only one part of keeping the Australian community safe. Your employer must continue to implement all reasonably practicable control measures in your workplace, such as physical distancing, good hygiene and increased cleaning and maintenance, and your co-workers should not come to work if they are unwell – even if they have been vaccinated.

Your employer must also consider whether because of your circumstances, particular working arrangements need to be put in place for you. They should take into account your specific characteristics, the nature of your workplace and the type of work you do. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has put out advice about vulnerable workers.  

Yes. A safe and effective vaccine is only be one part of keeping the community safe and healthy. It is important that you continue to take the following steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• follow the state public health orders
• don’t attend work when you are unwell, have COVID-19 symptoms or have been told to stay at home by health officials (e.g. you are required to quarantine or have been tested for COVID-19 and are waiting for your results)
• do all you reasonably can to work safely, including observing controls your employer has put in place for COVID-19, such as physical distancing and cleaning processes and procedures
• follow training and instructions your employer has provided to you (e.g. about how to wash hands thoroughly) 
• ask if you’re not sure how to safely perform the work
• use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks in the way you were trained and instructed to use it
• report any unsafe situations (e.g. a lack of soap in the bathroom) to your supervisor or to your health and safety representative, if your workplace has one.

Your employer is required to make sure everyone in your workplace keeps practising COVID-19 control measures even after the vaccine rollout has begun.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) states that, in regard to COVID-19 vaccination status, your employer “must only collect vaccination status information if the employee consents and the collection is reasonably necessary for your functions and activities, unless an exception applies”. While the Australian Government is not making vaccination mandatory, states and territories may do so for some industries or workers through public health orders. Under such circumstances it may be reasonable for your employer to ask for proof of vaccination. The OAIC sets out the parameters around what information can be collected, handled and disclosed.

If you need information on COVID-19 and Australian workplace laws, go to the Fair Work Ombudsman website. The Fair Work Ombudsman has information on workplace rights and obligations during the impact of COVID-19, including on COVID-19 vaccinations. If you are employed under the WA state industrial relations system, public sector employees and private sector employees can contact DMIRS for information on employment issues relating to COVID-19.

Under workers’ compensation laws you may be entitled to workers’ compensation if you contract COVID-19 while at work, regardless of how you contracted it. More information on workers’ compensation and COVID-19 is available at WorkCover.