30 September 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updated guidance for disability accommodation providers in Queensland

The Queensland Government has issued public health directions that affect some disability accommodation providers in Queensland.

IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION FOR ALL PROVIDERS

As vaccination rates increase across Australia and governments continue to make plans to ease community restrictions - it is vital that people with disability are supported, in whatever way they require, to access vaccinations.

You have an important role to play!

There are a number of actions you can take today:

• Talk about vaccination to the people with disability that you support
• Offer assistance, where needed, to access information about vaccination from reliable and trusted sources, such as the person’s GP
• Provide active support to make an appointment and to attend vaccination appointments.

Please refer to the letter sent to CEOs by the Acting Commissioner on 21 September 2021.

Further information is available on the Department of Health website, including Easy Read and Auslan resources.

​Vaccinations can be booked by visiting the Vaccine Clinic Finder or by contacting the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 1800 020 080. The Disability Gateway is now also assisting people with disability that might need help to book a COVID-19 vaccine.

Key points

• Visiting restrictions are now in place for shared disability accommodation services and aged care facilities in the Brisbane City, Gold Coast and Moreton Bay local government areas (LGAs).
• All NDIS providers in Queensland should monitor local information on a regular basis for changes to local restrictions.

Directions and updated guidance for residential disability settings

There are visitor restrictions and PPE requirements in place for residential disability settings in the Brisbane City, Gold Coast and Moreton Bay local government areas (LGAs). These directions restrict visitors from entering these services and requires the use of face masks for those permitted access to these services (excluding residents). 

We encourage you to read the details on the Queensland Government website. 

As these restrictions will impact your visitor management policy, you should clearly communicate this temporary change with the NDIS participants you support and their support networks using their preferred form of communication. You should explore alternative ways for people with disability to connect with their support network, such as phone or video calls.

Monitor local information

All NDIS providers should monitor local information on the Queensland Government website, on a regular basis, for changes to local restrictions.

NDIS Commission COVID-19 information 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.