Anyone providing services to a person with disability will need to be appropriately vaccinated.
See Advice to residential disability care facilities
COVID-19 vaccination protects against COVID-19 infection. People with disability are some of our most vulnerable community members. This is because they are at greater risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death as a result of COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions and the nature of their disability.
One dose of vaccine provides around 70% protection against hospitalisation and death from the Delta variant and significantly reduces the spread of COVID-19 to people around you. This is particularly important if you work with vulnerable people. Two doses of vaccine provides protection of around 90%.
The vaccination requirement in the Public Health Order includes staff and volunteers (including those in administrative or corporate roles) who work on site at disability services or other services delivering disability supports to people with disabilities.
This includes, but is not limited to, anyone providing a service to a person with disability in the following settings:
The Public Health Order has a broad definition and includes anyone who provides services to a person with disability. The only exemption is for someone who has been issued with a medical contraindication certificate by a medical practitioner.
Everyone aged 5 years and over in NSW is strongly encouraged to be vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them.
Yes. Regardless of whether you are a volunteer or a paid worker, if you are providing services to a person with disability you must be appropriately vaccinated to be able to continue to provide a voluntary service to a person with a disability.
See Advice to residential disability care facilities.
The requirement for mandatory vaccination can be found at section 6C of the Public Health (COVID-19 Care Services) Order 2021. You can also find more information about COVID-19 vaccination for disability workers and service providers at the Australian Government Department of Health - COVID-19 vaccine information for people with disability and disability service providers.
You must provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination to your employer, or the person who engages you to provide services, if they request it.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination must be from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). You don't need a Medicare card to access the AIR. You can access your Immunisation History Statement online or call the AIR to have an Immunisation History Statement sent in the post. Your doctor can also provide you with a printed copy of your vaccination history as proof of your COVID vaccination.
There are several ways to can get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Visit NSW Government - Get your COVID-19 vaccination to book an appointment or find a walk-in clinic or participating pharmacy near you.
You can be asked to provide proof of vaccination by:
The COVID-19 vaccination is free for all people living in Australia. You can be vaccinated at a NSW Health clinic, Commonwealth vaccination clinic or a pharmacy if you don't have a Medicare card.
Visit NSW Government - Get your COVID-19 vaccination to book an appointment or find a walk-in clinic near you.
Disability workers can choose to get any of the four available vaccines in Australia: AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) or Moderna (Spikevax) or Pfizer (Comirnaty) or Novavax (Nuvaxovid) COVID-19 vaccines. While it is preferable to use the same brand for both doses of the primary course, an alternative brand can be used for the second dose in select circumstances including if a patient is unable to access or not accepting of a second dose of the same brand.
One dose of a COVID-19 vaccine provides around 70% protection against hospitalisation and death from the Delta variant and significantly reduces the spread of COVID-19 to people around you. Two doses of vaccine provide protection of around 90%, and the protection will last longer.
Not being able to get a booking for your preferred COVID-19 vaccine before the deadline will not be considered sufficient grounds for an exemption.
If you do not meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirement on the date it applies, you cannot continue to provide services to a person with disability.
A person who has a medical contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccines available for use in Australia and has been issued with a Medical Contraindication Certificate by a registered medical practitioner is exempt from the requirement to get vaccinated.
The Certificate must be in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer and must specify the medical contraindication.
A person will only be granted an exemption if they have medical contraindications to all the available vaccines.
You must be able to produce the completed form as evidence of your exemption.
The only grounds for an exemption is a medical contraindication to all available vaccines. Everyone aged 5 years and over in NSW is strongly encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
Pregnant women are recommended to receive the Pfizer (Comirnaty) or Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe to be given at any stage during pregnancy and are also suitable for people who are breastfeeding.
Women who are breastfeeding or who are planning pregnancy are also recommended to receive Pfizer or Moderna. Women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination.
Please speak to your GP or relevant health professional to discuss your individual circumstances and how you can get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not considered medical contraindications for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and are therefore not exemptions under the Public Health Order.
