25 August 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Victoria DHHS guidance about furloughing staff 

Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued a fact sheet explaining when staff must quarantine and for how long, and when COVID-19 positive staff can return to work. 

Key points

• The DHHS fact sheet for all Victorian disability service providers explains that staff who test positive to COVID-19 must not attend work until cleared by DHHS.
• It also explains that close contacts (including staff) of a confirmed COVID-19 case must not attend work, but must quarantine for 14 days.
• Anyone with COVID-like symptoms should isolate, get tested and return to work only after their test result comes back as negative.

DHHS fact sheet for Victorian disability service providers

DHHS has issued a fact sheet for all Victorian disability service providers [Word 87KB] – including residential and non-residential settings.

The fact sheet explains that staff who test positive to COVID-19 must not attend work until they have been cleared by DHHS. If DHHS does not contact them after 14 days, they should call 1300 651 160.

It also explains that close contacts (including staff) of a confirmed COVID-19 case must not attend work, but must quarantine for 14 days after their most recent exposure to the positive case. They must return a negative COVID-19 test result before leaving quarantine and returning to work. 

Please read the fact sheet in full and ensure your staff members know when they should get tested, when they need to quarantine or isolate, and when they are able to return to work. The fact sheet is also available on the DHHS website.  

If you have questions about whether or how long your staff should not attend work because of COVID-19, email Teamfour.CCOM@dhhs.vic.gov.au or DRRG@dhhs.vic.gov.au. You can also visit the DHHS webpage on quarantine and isolation for more information.

Further information, alerts and resources

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) information webpage on the NDIS Commission website contains links to updates, training, alerts and other resources.

We also have a COVID-19 webpage containing information for people with disability, and a webpage of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 for all stakeholders.

Contact Us

• Call: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines). Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT, 9.00am to 5.00pm in the ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
• Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au
• Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Links to previous COVID-19 provider alerts 

• 22 August 2020: Queensland Chief Health Officer Directions - Disability Accommodation Services
• 14 August 2020: Planning resource for people with disability
• 14 August 2020: Updated Victoria DHHS guidance about eye protection and P2/N95 respirators
• 14 August 2020: Updated NSW Health guidance for residential disability services and in-home support providers
• 6 August 2020: Workplace Directions from Victoria’s Public Health Commander
• 3 August 2020: Webinar on 4 August: What stage 4 restrictions mean for Victorian disability services
• 30 July 2020: Preparing for and managing a COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria and New South Wales 
• 20 July 2020: NSW Health guidance for all residential disability outlets
• 17 July 2020: New guidance on PPE use by disability workers in Victorian COVID-19 hotspots
• 13 July 2020: Reminder of COVID-19 reporting obligations
• 7 July 2020: Guidance on using personal protective equipment (PPE) for disability support workers
• 27 May 2020: Guidance from the Australian Government Department of Health
• 13 May 2020: Guidance on preventing, preparing for and dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak
• 7 May 2020: Advice for people with disability
• 30 April 2020: Changes to student visa work conditions for workers of registered NDIS providers
• 28 April 2020: FAQs for all stakeholders and information for NDIS participants
• 20 April 2020: Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability
• 9 April 2020: Further assistance for organisations, people and households
• 9 April 2020: April 2020 Provider Newsletter (COVID-19)
• 3 April 2020: Adjusting supports and reducing infection risk
• 2 April 2020:  Practice Alert: Influenza (flu) vaccine from mid-April 2020
• 31 March 2020: Supporting providers to respond
• 26 March 2020: Assistance for organisations
• 24 March 2020: Information for support workers and access to PPE
• 19 March 2020: Business continuity planning
• 17 March 2020: Online training module for support workers
• 9 March 2020: Provider obligations and COVID-19 health information
• 7 February 2020: Information about the novel coronavirus outbreak