Mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations - one year on

This time last year, following the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and corresponding public health orders, some employers were implementing policies and procedures requiring their employees to be fully vaccinated (with two doses) against COVID-19 before returning to the workplace.

Now, a year on, the state and territory governments have all but scrapped mandatory self-isolation and vaccine requirements, leaving employers considering whether it is still appropriate to have mandatory vaccination policies in place.

Employers can only require their employees to be vaccinated where:

• a public health order requires it;
• the requirement is permitted by an enterprise agreement, other registered agreement or employment contract; or