COVID-19 :: Vaccination

Last Updated: 2/2/2022

We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to contain it have the potential to significantly impact your business. To assist we have created this web hub page to provide access to information about vaccination rules and availability.

Although we are endeavouring to ensure this is kept fully up-to-date, with the rapidly changing situation, we recommend that you always review the state information directly on the relevant state website prior to making business decisions.

COVID vaccination information and resources for workers – Help workers get vaccinated

Translated vaccination information

The Department of Health has published a fact sheet answering commonly asked questions about COVID vaccinations. It is available in English and many of our workers’ languages. You can download these fact sheets to share with your workers:

English  |  Bislama  |  Fiji  |  Gilbertese  |  Nauru  |  Pidgin  |  Samoa  |  Tetum  |  Tok Pisin  |  Tongan  |  Tuvaluan

The Department of Health webpage: COVID-19 vaccines, is it true? also addresses some of the more common questions and myths.

COVID vaccination consent forms in language

The Department of Health provides a consent form about COVID-19 vaccinations online, which has been translated into several of our workers’ languages.

All languages currently available can be found here

Help workers obtain proof of vaccination

In some cases, workers may need documented proof of vaccination.
Workers can:
  • ask the vaccination provider to print a copy of their immunisation history statement
  • call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 to have an immunisation history statement sent in the post. It can take up to 14 days to arrive.
Alternatively, the Services Australia website explains how to get proof of COVID-19 vaccination online.
For those not eligible for Medicare, they will need an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) to get proof online.
  • Workers can get an IHI using the Individual Healthcare Identifiers service (IHI service) through myGov.
  • Workers will need to provide identification details from their passport with a valid Australian visa, or an Australian driver’s license.

Jump straight to the state of interest by clicking on the state name below:

QUEENSLAND

NEW SOUTH WALES

VICTORIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

TASMANIA

Queensland

Key points

  • All people aged 5 and over are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Visit the Vaccine clinic finder and answer some questions to find your closest vaccination clinic
  • You need two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. You can now receive a booster dose 3 months after your second dose
  • There is currently NO MANDATE for agricultural workers to be vaccinated in Queensland

There are several options for eligible people to get vaccinated in Queensland:

Queensland Health vaccination locations – Book online here

GPs & Pharmacies – Search for a location near you

Walk-in vaccinations – Selected locations only – Search for a location

Queensland Health has a range of vaccination locations across the state with hours and access options to suit you. Registering your interest for a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to secure an appointment at a Queensland Health vaccination location.

Once you have registered, you will be invited to book an appointment in your local area when appointments become available. This may take several days or weeks depending on the demand in your region. If you identify as a priority cohort, you will be prioritised for a vaccination booking.

Allow around 45 mins for your appointment. This allows time for your patient screening, the actual vaccination and observation after the injection. Read more about what to expect at your COVID-19 vaccination.

More locations are being added over the coming months, so check back regularly.

NSW

Who can get vaccinated in NSW?

  • Everyone 5 years and over in NSW is eligible to get vaccinated.
  • The Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine is approved for use in people aged 5 years and over. The Moderna (Spikevax) vaccine is approved for use in people aged 12 years and over. The AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine is approved for use in people aged 18 years and over.
  • The COVID-19 vaccines are available through NSW Health clinics, participating general practices and pharmacies and Aboriginal Medical Services, with fully informed consent.
  • The Pfizer (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines are the preferred COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.
  • People of any age who have received their first dose of COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine should be offered the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, unless they experienced a serious adverse event following the first dose.
  • People can receive the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine at 4 to 8 weeks to achieve better protection more quickly.

For detailed information, read the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021.

Where can you get vaccinated in NSW?

  • Everyone aged 5 years and over is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Find out how to get your vaccine now
  • Walk-in vaccine clinics are located across Greater Sydney for everyone aged 18 years and over. Find your nearest clinic
  • Please be aware your GP is working hard to support you to receive your COVID-19 vaccination. Please be respectful, your GP will make every effort to help you.

FIND OUT MORE

Vaccinations

  • The NSW Government has developed a COVID vaccine information pack for businesses to help encourage increase vaccination rates.
  • Only certain workplaces require double vaccination for staff and customers
  • If an employee can reasonably Work From Home (WFH) then the employer must allow them to
  • If an employee is unvaccinated and can reasonably WFH then they are required to WFH
  • FAQs can be found here

Victoria

Vaccine availability

  • COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone aged 5 years and over in Australia.
  • The type of vaccine you can have depends on your age and, in some cases, whether you have certain medical conditions.
  • If you are aged 12 and over, you can have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
  • If you are aged 18 and over, you can also get the AstraZeneca vaccine.
  • Children aged 5 to 11 will receive a smaller dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine has been created specifically for young children.

FIND OUT MORE

Mandatory vaccinations

All agriculture workers are required to be DOUBLE vaccinated to work on-site, unless they have a valid medical exemption that is recorded on their COVID-19 digital certificate. This includes employees, contractors, volunteers and students on placements.

Interstate workers must also be vaccinated to work in Victoria.

Employers must not allow unvaccinated workers to work on site – fines apply. If a worker misleads an employer about their vaccination status fines will apply.

Employers do not have to retain the evidence sighted for each worker, but should keep a record that they are compliant. If a worker chooses not to disclose their vaccination status they are treated as unvaccinated and cannot work on site.

For more information go to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-workers-required-be-vaccinated

An agricultural and forestry worker is someone who works in connection with:

  • food safety and verification, inspection or associated laboratory services and biosecurity functions
  • farm, animal and bloodstock leasing activities, including but not limited to:
    • farming activities and other operations relating to agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, irrigation, permaculture, apiculture, grains, fibre production, dairy, flower industry, commercial fishing, aquaculture and livestock
    • intensive agricultural production including greenhouses and animal production
    • agricultural, veterinary chemicals and vaccine production, transportation and distribution (including the Pig Services Centre)

WA

The COVID-19 vaccine is an important measure to keep WA safe and healthy, and will help protect yourself, your family and the community.

The rollout of the vaccine in WA commenced in late-February 2021, with priority groups offered the first doses. This included people most at risk of becoming very ill with COVID-19, and people at greater risk of becoming infected through their work.

Australia’s vaccination program is managed by the Australian Government (external link). The WA Department of Health are responsible for the rollout of the vaccination program in WA.

It is recommended all eligible Western Australians get the free COVID-19 vaccine.

FIND OUT MORE at Roll Up for WA

Vaccine Mandates

Based on the latest health advice, a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for a majority of occupations and workforces in WA will be introduced in a phased approach.

The policy follows the existing mandates in place for workers in high-risk industries, including those interacting with people at an increased risk of being infected with COVID-19, or people who are vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19, or where they are necessary to avoid catastrophic risk to the safety of the community.

The policy’s phased approach is to apply mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for expanded industries in WA, as well as a requirement for all critical workers to be vaccinated to attend work in the event of a lockdown or similar restrictions.

Group 1 industries and occupations

Occupations in which high risk is sufficient due to high transmission, vulnerability or necessity to avoid catastrophic risk to safety of the community.

Group 2 industries and occupations

Occupations deemed critical to the ongoing delivery of critical services to the community.

In the event of a lockdown

These workers (Horticultural food production) will also be required to be vaccinated to attend work in the event of a lockdown or similar restrictions:

  • Primary industries (necessary to provide food to, and care of animals and maintenance of crops)
  • Production and distribution of food and groceries, liquor, medical and pharmaceutical products

FIND OUT MORE

South Australia

Vaccine Availability

  • South Australians have all played their part to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in our state.
  • Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the next thing we all need to do to protect ourselves and the South Australian community.
  • All South Australians aged 5 and over can now book a COVID-19 vaccination.
  • For us all to live more freely, please get vaccinated.

Book an appointment here

Mobile clinics across South Australia are making it easier for people to get vaccinated.

Participating schools are also hosting pop-up vaccination clinics for the school and wider community.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11.

FIND OUT MORE

Vaccine Mandates

There is currently no mandate for vaccination for workers in agriculture in South Australia.

Tasmania

Vaccine Availability

The Tasmanian and the Australian Governments are working together to give safe COVID-19 vaccinations to the community.

Vaccines are being delivered in phases.

All Tasmanians aged 5 and over can now get vaccinated for free.

Find the next available appointment at a location near you

Boosters

Booster vaccines are recommended for all people aged 18 and over from three months after their second dose of the vaccine.

Boosters are recommended to maintain protection and immunity against COVID-19.

FIND OUT MORE

Vaccine Mandates

Due to the increased risk to the community from the delta strain of COVID-19 the Tasmanian Government have adopted recommendations from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) for certain workers to be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Vaccination against COVID-19 will help protect you, your family, and the Tasmanian community.

There is no current mandate for vaccination for agricultural workers.

FIND OUT MORE