Vaccination requirements for workers
Some workers are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination to go to work. Check the rules below.
Vaccine requirements update
The Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Health Care Workers) Order 2022, which required the mandatory vaccination of health care workers, ceased at the end of 19 June 2022.
For NSW Health staff, the requirement for health care workers to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine continues to apply beyond 19 June 2022 under a Determination and Direction made by the Secretary, NSW Health.
Requirements by industry
Airport, quarantine and transport workers
Vaccination requirements related to the NSW Airport and Quarantine Workers Vaccination Program ended on 30 April 2022. This included mandatory vaccination requirements for airport, quarantine and transport workers.
Education and care workers
The Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Education and Care Workers) Order 2022, which required the vaccination of education staff, ended on 13 May 2022.
Vaccination requirements are now dealt with via applicable work, health and safety obligations (noting however that some disability workers who work in education settings may still be subject to the vaccination obligations in the Public Health (COVID-19 Care Services) Order 2022).
The employer or contracting entity of a disability worker or in-home and community aged care worker must take all reasonable steps to ensure the vaccination obligations are complied with.
Employers of disability workers in education settings
The employer or contracting entity of a disability worker or in-home and community aged care worker must take all reasonable steps to ensure the vaccination obligations are complied with.
Evidence of vaccination or exemption
A disability worker who works in a school, early education or family/day care facility may be asked to produce evidence of their vaccination status by their employer or the occupier of a premise or the approved provider of education and care service.
Evidence of vaccination includes your:
- online immunisation history statement
- COVID-19 digital certificate via the Service NSW app
- COVID-19 digital certificate via the Australian Immunisation Register
- medical contraindication certificate
- medical clearance form.
Evidence of your medical exemption must be from a medical practitioner in the form approved by the NSW Chief Health Officer.
Aged care workers and others who work in or enter aged care facilities
An exemption has been made under the Public Health (COVID-19 Care Services) Order 2022 in relation to the third dose requirement.
The exemption applies to persons entering a residential aged care facility (RACF) to provide services, in-home and aged care service workers and disability workers and exempts the person from the requirement to receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if the person:
- has had 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and
- takes reasonably practicable steps to receive their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, and
- has been assessed by the operator of the facility or the responsible person as being essential to the operation of the facility or essential to the operation of the provision of services to people with a disability or persons receive in-home and community aged care services.
The exemption also allows the employer to continue to allow the person to provide work.
Evidence of vaccination or exemption
A person who works in or enters a residential aged care facility may be asked to produce evidence of their vaccination by the operator of the aged care facility.
Evidence of vaccination can include your:
- online immunisation history statement or
- COVID-19 digital certificate via the Service NSW app
- COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register
- medical contraindication certificate
- medical clearance form.
Evidence of your medical exemption must be from a medical practitioner in the form approved by the NSW Chief Health Officer.
Health care workers
The Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Health Care Workers) Order 2022 ceased at the end of 19 June 2022.
For NSW Health staff, the requirement for health care workers to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine continues to apply beyond 19 June 2022 under a Determination and Direction made by the Secretary, NSW Health. This includes a process for staff that are unable to be vaccinated against COVID-19 due to a medical contraindication.
NSW Health staff with any questions should speak with their manager in the first instance or reach out to their employing health agency’s Workforce team. More information for NSW Health staff is available in the frequently asked questions.
In-home and community aged care workers and anyone providing disability services
In-home and community aged care workers, and anyone providing disability services, will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a medical exemption in order to work.
Disability services means services provided in person to a person with a disability, including (but not limited to) services
- funded or provided under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, or
- funded or provided under the Assisted School Travel Program of the Department of Education.
In-home and community aged care workers means people who:
- Provide flexible care, home care, or a Commonwealth-funded aged care service
- Provide that service outside of a residential care setting
- Do so for or on behalf of:
- an approved provider for whom a flexible care subsidy or home care subsidy is payable under the Aged Care Act 1997 or
- a service provider of a Commonwealth-funded aged care service within the meaning of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018, delivering services outside a residential aged care setting
Disability workers and in-home and community aged care workers must not provide disability services unless they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination (unless they have a medical exemption).
The employer or contracting entity of a disability worker or in-home and community aged care worker must take all reasonable steps to ensure the vaccination obligations are complied with.
Evidence of vaccination or exemption
Evidence of vaccination can include your:
- online immunisation history statement or
- COVID-19 digital certificate via the Service.NSW app
- COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register
Evidence of your medical exemption must be from a medical practitioner in the form approved by the NSW Chief Health Officer.
Book a vaccination
Support telephone lines
NSW Health Vaccination Support Line 1800 57 11 55
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131 450
Medical exemptions
Workers in particular industries who have a medical reason for not receiving vaccination must apply for medical exemptions from vaccination through their medical practitioner (such as a GP).
The person must be unable to receive all approved COVID-19 vaccines to be granted a medical exemption.
Evidence of contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination is provided using the Australian Immunisation Register immunisation medical exemption form.
Recovering COVID-19 cases
If you have fully recovered from COVID-19 and have not already been vaccinated, you can now receive your COVID-19 vaccination.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends waiting 3 months after a confirmed COVID-19 infection before receiving your next dose. Book your vaccination for as soon as possible after the 3-month period has ended.
If the vaccination is deferred, medical practitioners can authorise a temporary exemption from vaccination by completing a NSW COVID-19 vaccine medical contraindication form.