Reporting COVID-19 cases  

Victorian Government  

All RAT positive results of workers and people with disability must be reported to the Victorian Department of Health through the online form or Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. 

Reporting RATs will link you to COVID response pathways, including antiviral assessments and treatments. All direct care workers should understand the importance of reporting positive RAT results for themselves and those they support. This includes workers on leave.  

Reporting to your Victorian Local Public Health Unit 

Because of the higher risk and vulnerabilities of such settings, residential accommodation providers should continue reporting COVID-19 positive results of residents and workers to their local public health unit. Reporting cases allows health units to monitor outbreaks and give local support. 

Providers are not specifically required to report COVID cases of participants or workers who are on leave. However, providers should encourage them to complete an online report. And before workers return to work and participants re-engage in activities, providers should follow their COVID risk management requirements for advising close contacts and NDIS reporting.    

For more information, contact your local Public Health Unit

Reporting to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission  

On identifying a COVID-19 positive worker or person with disability, registered providers should still complete the NDIS Commission notification of event form.  

NDIS Commission offices will close from 12.30pm on 23 December 2022 until 3 January 2023.  
The contact centre will operate over the Christmas and New Year period, excluding public holidays. Contact 1800 035 544 or at: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au. 

COVID-19 management and resources 

Risk management actions   

NDIS and government health authorities strongly recommend that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 (with or without symptoms) should isolate for a minimum of five days. For those working or living in settings with people who are immune compromised, we encourage seven days isolation.   

To reduce the risk of infection transmission during the holiday season, we strongly recommend mask wearing, social distancing and either increasing ventilation or taking activities outdoors. 

Ventilation guidance for disability providers  

The Australian Health Principal Protection Committee has highlighted the importance of good ventilation during increased COVID-19 transmission. The Victorian Government and Department of Social Services offer practical advice for keeping disability workplaces safe.  

Eligible NDIS participants can purchase a portable air purifier to improve air quality in living areas and help to ensure continuity of support. 

Transporting RATS in summer 

RAT supplies must be stored according to the manufacturer's instructions, especially protecting them from extreme heat or cold.  

Workers transporting RATS in vehicles during the summer should keep them in an insulated container and away from direct sunlight. 

PCR changes from 1 January to access private pathology clinics  

PCR tests from a private pathology clinic will require a referral from a GP or Nurse Practitioner referral from the 1 January 2023. If properly referred, the test will be free of charge. 

You can still get PCR tests at GP-lead Respiratory Clinics and state or territory-run testing centres, which give priority to at-risk population groups.  

Workers or individuals unable to get to their local GP for a PCR tests referral should contact the Australian Government Coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080  (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or the  Victorian Government webpage.   

Resources  

Use the key Victorian Government resources below to review your COVID-Safe plans with support workers. They will help you maintain the right infection protocols during COVID outbreaks. 

• Management of Acute Respiratory Infection outbreaks, including COVID-19 and influenza, in residential care facilities (RCFs) 
• Primary care guidance for the response to COVID-19 risks 
• COVID-19 Infection control guidelines - December 2022 updated version  
• COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool for residential community and disability services 
• COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool for non-residential community and disability services 

NDS support  

Webinar and resources: Moving forward with COVID-19 risk mitigation 

A national NDS webinar held on 24 November focused on the COVID-19 risk mitigation obligations for providers. With state and territory requirements no longer in place, speakers from the Australian Department of Health, Holman Webb Lawyers, and WorkPlace PLUS discussed ongoing COVID needs, considerations for worker vaccination and isolation, and how to develop these in line with health and safety obligations and Fair Work Commission guidance. The webinar presentation, Q and A summary and recording are available on the NDS website. 

Online course: Maintaining safe and effective infection control in disability settings 

With COVID still a concern, a new NDS and Health Education Collaborative online course shows how to reduce infection risks and transmission. Informed by over 300 sector managers and workers, the course dives deeply into the infection control knowledge needed by disability workers. This online course for direct care workers builds their capabilities in infection prevention and risk management.  

This course complements e-learning programs on the NDS learning and development platform and government department websites.  There is a sliding scale of fees, which you can discuss with NDS and HEC staff by enquiring through the webpage. NDS Member agencies can also access a significant cost reduction by purchasing bulk user access with SCORM file that is available on their LMS.    

NDS is updating the COVID-19 toolkit for 2023. 

NDS holiday season   

NDS will close on 22 December and reopen on 4 January.