To deal with the public health risk of COVID-19 and its possible consequences, the Minister for Health and Medical Research has made a number of Public Health Orders, under section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010. Orders may be amended frequently. For the most up to date Orders, and the history of each Order, visit NSW Legislation - COVID-related legislation.
For help in understanding the Public Health Orders, refer to NSW Government: What you can and can't do under the rules and Industry guidelines for COVID Safe workplaces
Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order 2022Dated 12 March 2022. Amended on 22 April 2022.
The General Order outlines general COVID-19 restrictions in NSW including restrictions on gathering.
Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Health Care Workers) Order Commenced 21 March 2022.
The Order outlines vaccination requirements for stage 1 and stage 2 healthcare workers.
A stage 2 health care worker is exempt if they:
Public Health (COVID-19 Care Services) Order 2022 Commenced 21 March 2022
The Order outlines vaccination requirements for aged care and disability workers and restrictions on visitors to aged care facilities.
An exemption allows unvaccinated visitors for a resident who is at the end of their life, provided some conditions are met.
An exemption is in place for workers under the age of 16 years in relation to the requirement for a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
An exemption is in place for workers with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to continue working, subject to a number of conditions including taking reasonable steps to receive their third dose as soon as practicable and being essential to the operation of a residential aged care facility or the provision of services to disability or aged care services. This exemption ends on 1 June 2022.
An exemption is in place for disability workers and people entering a residential aged care facility to provide services, in-home and age care service workers in relation to a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Public Health (COVID-19 Air and Maritime Arrivals) Order (No 2) 2022 Dated 23 May 2022.
This Order outlines requirements for international air passengers, flight crew and maritime arrivals
For additional advice, refer to the NSW Health Guidelines for All International Arrivals.
The Order outlines the self-isolation requirements for people testing positive to COVID-19.
An exemption is in place for COVID-19 positive birthing partners.
For additional advice, refer to the:
It is an offence to not comply with a Public Health Order. Penalties can apply to individuals and corporations. Additional on the spot fines can also apply.