COVID-19: VICTORIA – VACCINE REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTHORISED WORKERS
The Victorian Government announced on 1 October that all workers on the Authorised Worker List will be required to have their first COVID19 vaccine administered by Friday 15 October with a further requirement to have had the second vaccine administered by 26 November. These requirements are in addition to workers who are subject to existing CHO directives.
The Victorian government is expanding assistance to GP’s and Pharmacies in regional LGA’s to accommodate more vaccine delivery capability as well as operating a walk-up “Moderna Blitz” at several sites across Melbourne.
FAIR WORK
We note the Fair Work website includes the below information:
Can an employer require an employee to be vaccinated?
Employers can only require their employees to be vaccinated where a specific law (such as a state or territory public health order) requires an employee to be vaccinated (see COVID-19 vaccinations: legislation and public health orders)
the requirement is permitted by an enterprise agreement, other registered agreement or employment contract (see Agreements or contracts relating to vaccinations), or
it would be lawful and reasonable for an employer to give their employees a direction to be vaccinated, which is assessed on a case-by-case basis (see Lawful and reasonable directions to get vaccinated).
One or more of these circumstances can apply when an employer is requiring an employee to be vaccinated. For example, an employer could rely on a state public health order that requires their employee to be vaccinated to give the employee a lawful and reasonable direction not to work unless they are vaccinated.
The full announcement can be accessed on the Victorian Government website: Victorian Government Announcement October 1
For further Fair Work advice regarding COVID19: Fair Work COVID19
NDIA EXTEND SUPPORT PAYMENTS TO VICTORIAN PROVIDERS
Inline with the announcement from the Victorian Government, the Minister for the NDIA Linda Reynolds CSC has announced that a $100 one off payment (per worker per dose) will be available for Victorian providers who receive COVID19 vaccinations. The payment can be claimed directly from the NDIA and is eligible for vaccinations delivered, retrospectively, from October 1.
The NDIA has also extended direct claims for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for NDIS providers in Victoria and the ACT from October 1.
Registered providers in both jurisdictions delivering NDIS supports within the following registration groups will be able to claim for PPE:
- Daily personal activities
- High intensity daily personal activities
- Assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared living arrangement.
DIA would note that the Pricing Addendum has yet to be updated to reflect this announcement and we would urge the NDIA to rectify this as soon as possible to avoid any confusion.
The full statement from the NDIA can be read here: COVID19 Support Payments for Victorian Providers.
Payment and further information can be found at: COVID19 Provider Information