Dear ,
I am writing to remind and update you about the recent changes to the vaccination requirements announced by the NSW Government that will affect you if you:
- live in a Local Government Area (LGA) of concern and work outside that LGA – commencing from Monday 6 September
- provide services in residential aged care facilities – commencing from Friday 17 September
- work for NSW Health or in a private hospital – commencing from Thursday 30 September
LGAs of concern
From Monday 6 September 2021, if you are an “authorised worker” (audiologists are “authorised workers”) living in or are temporarily staying in a LGA of concern, you must not leave your LGA for work unless you have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Current LGAs of concern are Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield and some suburbs of Penrith LGAs.
Authorised workers who are unable to have a COVID-19 vaccine can request a COVID-19 vaccination exemption for medical reasons.
Authorised workers living in LGAs of concern can book a priority Pfizer vaccination appointment here.
Residential aged care facilities
From 9am on Friday 17 September 2021, a person who provides services for a residential aged care facility for one or more residents (whether or not they are engaged by the facility) must not enter or remain on the premises unless they have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or produce a medical contraindication certificate.
This does not include contractors or service providers engaged directly by the individual residents, nor does it include students.
From 9am on Sunday 31 October 2021, all health practitioners or students must not enter or remain on the premises of a residential aged care facility unless they have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or produce a medical contraindication certificate.
Health Care Workers
From Thursday 30 September 2021, a health care worker must have received at least one dose of a COVID 19 vaccine in order to attend work.
From Tuesday 30 November 2021, a health care worker must have had at least two doses of a COVID 19 vaccine, unless the health care worker produces a medical contraindication certificate.
A ‘health care worker’ is a person who does work for:
- Public Health Organisations (Local Health Districts, Specialty Health Networks, Pillars and Affiliated Health Organisations)
- NSW Ministry of Health
- All staff working at a Private Health Facility (licensed under the Private Health Facilities Act) both private hospitals and day procedures
- Students in clinical placements in private facilities.
The obligation for health care workers to be vaccinated covers employees, contractors, visiting practitioners, volunteers and students. It covers both temporary and permanent work.
Priority Pfizer vaccination appointments are available for all healthcare workers through NSW Health Local Health Districts vaccination teams.
Please note that this mandatory vaccination requirement for health care workers does not apply to health practitioners working in private practice in NSW.
Please stay safe, and if there is anything we can do to assist you during this time, please don't hesitate to contact the office on 03 9940 3900 or email: info@audiology.asn.au
Yours sincerely,
Dr Tony Coles
CEO
Audiology Australia
Suite 101, 13 Cremorne Street Cremorne, VIC 3121
ABN: 31 168 531 324 | p: 03 9940 3900 | e: info@audiology.asn.au | w: www.audiology.asn.au