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ARTICLE · 26 FEBRUARY 2021

UPDATE: Can employers make the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory?

Colin Biggers & Paisley
Explore more from Colin Biggers & Paisley

An overview of recent guidance for businesses considering whether to make the coronavirus vaccination mandatory.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Megan Bowe
Megan Bowe
Emma Croskery
Emma Croskery

In brief - An overview of Fair Work Ombudsman and Safe Work Australia latest guidance and what businesses considering making the vaccination mandatory need to take into account

In our recent article, we outlined a number of considerations for employers in determining their approach to vaccination in the workplace. Since then, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter have both publicly stated that COVID-19 vaccinations will not be mandated at a federal level. 

In this article, we explore recent government updates regarding COVID-19 vaccinations.

Fair Work Ombudsman guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations and the workplace

On 19 February 2021, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) published guidance stating that "the overwhelming majority of employers should assume that they won't be able to require their employees to be vaccinated against coronavirus." Instead, the FWO indicated its view that there would only be "limited

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