COVID-19 worker vaccination changes and disability services   

With the end of the Victorian COVID-19 Pandemic Declaration, the worker vaccination guidance no longer covers the disability services sector. Instead, any further worker vaccination requirements are now the responsibility of individual employers. While the Secretary for the Department of Health has specified some vaccination needs, these are specific to healthcare workers. 

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission are still finalising their guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccinations following the national and state changes to pandemic orders. 

Worksafe vaccination risk management guidance  

WorkSafe Victoria have developed guidance under the OHS Act to support employers in risk management decisions about worker COVID-19 vaccination. 

The Victorian OHS Act requires employers to: 

• identify whether there is a risk to the health of their employees from exposure to COVID-19 at their workplace 
• eliminate an identified risk or reduce the risk so far as reasonably practicable 
• utilise control measures to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 so far as reasonably practicable. 

Disability providers should review the information provided by WorkSafe to determine whether a worker vaccination policy is required to meet known risks. This includes steps for worker consultation to ensure any policy developed has been carried out according to OH&S employer duties. 

Presentation on OHS worker vaccination risk management   

Worker vaccination risk management will be the focus of the next COVID-19 Prevention, Vaccines and Outbreak Management Network meeting: 

Date: Thursday 27 October 2022
Time: 3.00pm to 4.00pm 
Register 

Payments for casual workers unable to work due to COVID-19 positive result  

Disability Providers can share with casual workers details of the High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment, which are available on the Services Australia website. 

The payment is available to workers in high-risk settings, including disability care, home care with close personal care, and support services. Eligible workers must be casual employees, working in a role outside home, who will lose at least eight hours or a full day’s pay and have no other appropriate paid leave options.   

Details can be found at Services Australia, including additional eligibility requirements, payments available and how often a claim can be made. 

COVID-19 vaccine update  

The Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is currently being distributed to vaccination providers and is available as a third or fourth booster for people over 18 years. This vaccine triggers an immune response to the Omicron variant. Your individual suitability can be discussed with your vaccination provider or GP.   

The Department of Health continue to strongly urge all Victorians to access whatever COVID-19 vaccination dose they are eligible to receive, because vaccination remains a critical tool to reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization if infected with COVID-19.