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NSW Government Weekly Update – 27 August 2021

For the latest COVID-19 advice & information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

NEW FREEDOMS FOR VACCINATED FIRST STEP ON STATE ROADMAP OUT OF COVID

  • People across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms next month after NSW hit the target of six million jabs.
  • This is the first step in the roadmap and further freedoms will follow for those who have had the jab when the state hits new vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.
  • From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:
    • For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
    • For those who live in the LGAs of concern, households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the one hour allowed for exercise.
  • As part of the roadmap when the following targets are hit, freedoms will be as follows:
    • 70 per cent full vaccination: a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions to be lifted for those who are vaccinated.
    • 80 per cent full vaccination: further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy.
  • The government is also investigating trials of certain industries in coming months, as a proof-of-concept measure to prepare the businesses to open up and operate in a COVID-safe way.

NSW FIRST TO MANDATE COVID JABS FOR ALL HEALTH STAFF

  • Healthcare workers in NSW will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help ensure the safety of colleagues and patients in all public and private hospitals.
  • Under the Public Health Order, health staff must have a first dose of vaccine by 30 September 2021 and be fully vaccinated by 30 November 2021, or at least have their second appointment booked to continue working.
  • Frontline health staff and their families have had priority access to COVID-19 vaccines since the commencement of the Federal Government’s vaccination rollout in February.
  • Already in NSW, mandatory vaccinations for frontline health staff are required for contagious diseases including influenza, chicken pox, measles and whooping cough.
  • Those who have a medical contraindication will be exempt if a medical practitioner confirms the medical contraindication.

HSC IN NOVEMBER AND ALL STUDENTS TO RETURN TO SCHOOL IN TERM 4

  • There will be a staggered return to face-to-face learning from October, HSC exams will be delayed until November and vaccinations for school staff will be mandatory based on the return to school plan released by the NSW Government.
  • Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health approved COVID safe settings on school sites in the following order:
    • From 25 October – Kindergarten and Year 1
    • From 1 November – Year 2, 6 and 11
    • From 8 November – Year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10
  • HSC exams will be delayed until 9 November with a revised timetable and guidelines for a COVID-safe HSC to be released by NESA in early September. Importantly, the delay of the HSC exams will not disadvantage NSW students when applying to university.
  • Vaccinations for all school staff across all sectors will be mandatory from 8 November. NSW Health will be providing priority vaccinations at Qudos Bank Arena for school staff the week beginning 6 September.
  • Early childcare staff will also be able to participate in the priority vaccinations from 6 September. All school and early childcare staff are also encouraged to make use of the GP network to be vaccinated with whatever vaccine is available as soon as possible.

MORE FREE TRAINING OPTIONS DURING LOCKDOWN

  • The NSW Government has announced an additional 3000 training places for people across NSW to skill up at home during lockdown.
  • An extra 60 short courses are now on offer to study for free including business skills, mental health, marketing, finance and IT skillsets.
  • The courses are an expansion of the 10 free skillsets recently announced by TAFE NSW and are targeted at LGAs and suburbs in lockdown.
  • Training will be funded through the JobTrainer program, which has already seen more than 120,000 people in NSW skill up since it was announced in October 2020.
  • For more information and to see full eligibility, please visit: https://bit.ly/37DYSvq.

$200 MILLION SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR NOT-FOR-PROFITS

  • The NSW Government has announced a $200 million support package for the Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector to help organisations faced with the financial impacts of the current restrictions.
  • The funding initiative comes on top of the more than $5.1 billion, including $1 billion in Commonwealth support, announced by the Government since the end of June.
  • The support package targets those NFPs providing social support and animal welfare with Service NSW and the Department of Communities and Justice to process applications from next month.
  • The Social Sector Support Fund will provide grants and direct payments to eligible NFPs and provide a Workforce Surge Payment to support social sector organisations to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks where staff have been furloughed.
  • Further details will become available in the coming weeks.

RECORD SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

  • A record emergency relief package of $18.8 million will be delivered by the NSW Government in the latest boost to support vulnerable members of our community during the latest COVID outbreak.
  • The package will focus on the 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern to give urgent help to those experiencing hardship.
  • The $18.8 million package will help grassroots organisations deliver emergency food relief, promote vaccination and testing services, and provide culturally appropriate support and care to diverse communities.
  • The package includes a $13 million grants program delivering emergency relief through not-for-profit and multicultural community organisations, as well as local councils. It also includes $4 million for ongoing multicultural communications, including interpreting and translation services, to deliver critical health messages.
  • Grants of up to $30,000 for local organisations are now open. Other grant streams as part of the $13 million package will open soon. For more information, see https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/.

SCORE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY THIS SUPER SUNDAY

  • Sport Super Sunday is being held at vaccination centres for the twelve LGAs of concern this weekend to help Team NSW beat COVID-19.
  • Plenty of appointments are available at Qudos Bank Arena and the NSW Health Vaccination Centre at Sydney Olympic Park and the Vaccination Centre at Macquarie Fields this Sunday, August 29, for all sports lovers.
  • Those aged 16 to 39 who live in Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield or Penrith, should make a booking via https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-vaccination-nsw/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-nsw.
  • Wear team uniforms, colours, or gear and take a selfie to post on your local club sites with the hash tag #vaccinationchampion.
  • If you can’t make it this Sunday, we have other vaccination appointments at our centres over the next two weeks.

NSW PUTS FOOT ON THE GREEN GAS WITH HYDROGEN PLATFORM

  • The rollout of the State’s hydrogen hubs is set to be accelerated, with the establishment of a collaboration platform to bring together potential hydrogen producers and users.
  • The platform is about connecting sophisticated market players with new and emerging hydrogen users to fuel the development of hydrogen hubs in NSW.
  • As part of the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program, the NSW Government has committed a minimum of $70 million to develop hydrogen hubs in the Hunter and Illawarra regions.
  • Stakeholders that submitted a hydrogen-related registration of interest to the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program will automatically receive an invitation to participate. Other organisations can get involved by contacting the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s, Hydrogen and Clean Energy team at hydrogen@planning.nsw.gov.au.

$10 million upgrade for Penrith's Tench Reserve

New pathways, riverside seating and an amphitheatre for concerts and festivals are part of a $10 million upgrade to a waterfront reserve in Penrith.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the work in Tench Reserve, located on the Nepean River, could now begin as the final concept design had been released.
“One of my goals as Minister for Public Spaces is to create a city within a park, and this means we need a Green – and Blue – Grid to link our parks together,” Mr Stokes said
“The upgrade to Tench Reserve is the type of project needed to realise this goal. As part of the wonderful Parks for People program, it’s a park for people, by people.”
Member for Penrith and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Tench Reserve  was already well-loved by locals but the $10 million enhancements would attract visitors from all over Sydney.
“The upgrade to this 14 hectare park will connect the Nepean River to Nepean Parklands with new pathways, seating, an improved wharf and an amphitheatre to support major events such as the annual Real Festival,” Mr Ayres said.
“Other features of the upgrade include an expansion of the play space for children of all ages and abilities, improved access to the water, more landscaping, and 80 new trees.
“Construction is expected to start later this year and be completed at the end of 2022.”
Tench Reserve is one of eight open spaces – Glenfield, Carrawood, Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Leppington and George Kendall (Parramatta) – to be created or upgraded as part of the NSW Government’s $50 million Parks for People program.

$790 Million Liverpool Hospital Gets Underway

One of the state’s largest hospital projects will begin within weeks, with the main works contractor appointed for the $790 million Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced the awarding of the principal contract to Lendlease, following a competitive tender process.
“The Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct will deliver a world-class medical, research and education hub in the rapidly growing south-western Sydney region,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The redevelopment will be a real boost for communities throughout the region, bringing greatly enhanced healthcare services closer to home.”
The redeveloped hospital will provide a total of 900 beds, an expanded emergency department, new maternity and paediatric inpatient beds and double the capacity within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Another key feature will be a new, expanded Integrated Cancer Centre which will almost double the chemotherapy treatment spaces.
Member for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons said the redevelopment would boost the local economy and meet the south-western Sydney’s community’s growing healthcare needs now and into the future.
“The start of major works at this new world-class precinct will support thousands of jobs during the construction phases and beyond, which will be greatly welcomed as we recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Gibbons said.
Construction of a $50 million multi-storey car park for the Liverpool Hospital is already underway, with work being carried out by ADCO Constructions.
The precinct is part of the NSW Government’s record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2024-2025.
Over $5.5 billion in health capital works are underway in  Western and South Western Sydney including:

  • $790 million for the Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct
  • $1.3 billion for a new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
  • $832 million Westmead Hospital redevelopment
  • $65 million Commonwealth Government funded adult Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Services Unit at Westmead.
  • $619 million Children’s Hospital at Westmead Stage 2
  • $632 million Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment Stage 2
  • $1 billion Nepean Hospital redevelopment
  • $300 million for a Rouse Hill Hospital.

Work on Liverpool Hospital is expected to start in the coming weeks, to be completed by 2026.

Labor agrees to spend $50 million destroying Traditional Owners home

“Traditional Owners of the Gundanji and Garawa nation do not consent to fracking in the Beetaloo basin, but the government has put $50 million towards doing it anyway,” said DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman Lidia Thorpe, the Greens Senator for Victoria.
“These are communities that don’t even have access to proper health and housing infrastructure. As a government, it’s our job to provide this and instead of doing that we’re paying private companies to poison their waters and destroy their lands.
“This violates the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which the Australian government has signed up to. This Declaration guarantees First Nations people the right to approve or deny projects happening on their country before the project begins.
“We need First Nations justice to achieve climate justice. I’m disappointed in Labor’s support to disrespect the wishes of all those Traditional Owners they say they support. Shame.”
The Greens spokesperson for Mining & Resources, Senator Larissa Waters said, “The Greens-initiated Senate inquiry into the $50 million fracking slush fund heard from Traditional Owners across the Northern Territory, deeply concerned about gas extraction in the Beetaloo Basin.
“They told us that they had not been consulted in any meaningful way by this government, or by the companies so eager to pillage Country. They told us they were worried for their water, for their kids and for their access to cultural practices. But their valid concerns were ignored when both big parties voted to support public money going to new fossil fuels in a climate crisis, without First Nations consent.
“The Greens have had a bill since 2012 to ban fracking and to give First Nations, farmers and other landholders the right to say no to gas fracking.
“Yesterday, Labor had the opportunity to be on the right side of history and vote with the Greens against this dodgy program. But they sadly sided with the Liberals.
“We’ll give Labor one more opportunity to do the right thing by First Nations people, water and the climate when we bring a second and final disallowance motion to a vote in the Senate in October.”

Balancing physical and mental health – all a part of Being Equally Well

The Morrison Government has welcomed the release of the National Policy Roadmap to Being Equally Well, which aims to improve the physical health care provided to Australians living with serious mental illness.
The Being Equally Well Roadmap is aimed at reducing the life expectancy gap for people living with a mental illness, and shows that physical health and wellbeing must be a priority for health care providers when working with a person living with a mental illness.
People with a serious mental illness are more likely to die between 14–23 years earlier than the average and their deaths make up around one third of all avoidable deaths in Australia.
They are six times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease and four times more likely to die of respiratory disease. We need to ensure that these rates are turned around.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the current COVID-19 pandemic was taking a toll on the mental health and wellbeing of Australians, especially those living with a mental illness.
“Our Government is committed to addressing the critical issue of mental health and suicide prevention, and in 2021–22 an estimated $6.5 billion will be spent on mental health in Australia, including Medicare rebates for mental health care,” Minister Hunt said.
“Through our historic $2.3 billion National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan we have also committed to providing additional funding for the Equally Well Program to support improvements to the physical health of those living with a mental illness.
The Being Equally Well Roadmap is the work of the Australian Health Policy Collaboration (AHPC), Equally Well Australia, health professionals and multi-disciplinary academic experts.
Professor of Health Policy and Director of the Australian Health Policy Collaboration, Professor Rosemary Calder AM, said better physical health and longer lives for people living with mental illness needs the combined skills and expertise of both mental health and primary health services.
“Both mental and physical health care need to be connected and to have capacity to support the complex needs of individuals over their lifetimes. Primary health care is central to better physical health care and this report shows how the role of primary care can be strengthened and supported,” Professor Calder said.
“This report is the result of the collaboration of chronic disease and population health practitioners, mental health practitioners and consumers and carers who have worked together to identify how best to do so.”
The AHPC is led by the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University, linking leading health organisations and chronic disease experts to inform better policy through the findings of rigorous health research.
Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, Adam Shoemaker, said equity of access to opportunity lies at the heart of what drives Victoria University and it was that commitment which led to the establishment of the Mitchell Institute.
“This project represents those deep aspirations. We are confident that it will assist with providing greater access towards equity of health and health outcomes for people living with mental illness. For that reason we are particularly grateful for the support of the Department of Health,” Mr Shoemaker said.
The Morrison Government has provided $600,000 over three years to the AHPC, and from 2021–22 will contribute a further $600,000 over the coming three years to 2023–24.
The Being Equally Well Roadmap will encourage clinicians and policy-makers to give a greater focus to physical health in the treatment of mental ill health, and help to close the life expectancy gap for people with mental illness.

State Government Steps up When Scott Morrison Refuses to Lead. Again.

If Scott Morrison was any kind of leader, purpose-built quarantine facilities would be up and running by now.
Instead, it again falls to a state Premier to fill the leadership vacuum, with Annastacia Palaszczuk committing to fast-tracking the purpose-built quarantine facility proposed at Wellcamp, near Toowoomba.
It’s been more than 18 months since the first COVID case in Australia.
Premier Palaszczuk proposed Wellcamp as a fit for purpose facility in January.
This project could be safely quarantining people right now.
Scott Morrison had two jobs this year – rolling out the vaccine and fixing quarantine. 
He has fundamentally failed at both.
Quarantine is a Federal responsibility. With this Prime Minister, all responsibilities are always shipped to someone else.
If Scott Morrison had done his job – there would have been fewer than the 27 disastrous outbreaks from hotel quarantine.
If Scott Morrison had done his job – there wouldn’t be 38,000 stranded Australians left overseas desperate to get home.
If Scott Morrison had done his job – the extended, devastating lockdowns on the east coast wouldn’t be happening.
From the Prime Minister known for his “I don’t hold a hose” and “it’s not a race” style of accountability, today’s press conference was another shining example of his lack of leadership.
Now one can add “She has been at liberty to do that for months” and “Good for them, I wish them every success” to the litany of examples of this Prime Minister’s absence of leadership, revulsion at responsibility, and his reflexive avoidance of simply ever just doing his job.

Community at the heart of Aerotropolis

The NSW Government has welcomed a report from the Independent Community Commissioner for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis which outlines 40 recommendations to better support local landowners.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes appointed Professor Roberta Ryan to the role of Independent Community Commissioner in May to address the concerns of landowners in the area.
“The planning and delivery of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis is one of the biggest projects in the state’s history and as a result is incredibly complex,” Mr Stokes said.
“We wanted to ensure that all voices were heard and Professor Ryan has done an outstanding job over the last few months by meeting with more than 100 landowners potentially affected by the rezoning plans.
“We’ve released an initial response to the Commissioner’s findings that commits to supporting most recommendations and we will provide a more detailed whole-of-government response in the next couple of months.”
Some recommendations require changes to planning controls and these will be considered as the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment finalises the planning framework, due to be completed by the end of this year.
Key recommendations supported by the Government include:

  • Establishing the Independent Community Commissioner as an ongoing role to improve communication with landowners;
  • Creating a Community Consultative Committee to provide an engagement forum for the community and improve communication with landowners; and
  • Investigating adjustment of zoning boundaries and other changes as recommended in the report.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said it was critical for the Government to listen to the community and respond to their concerns.
“A vital part of the response right now is improving the way we communicate with landowners,” Mr Ayres said.
“We’ve extended the Commissioner’s role so Professor Ryan can continue to provide support to landowners.
“We’re also developing a Community Participation Plan and implementing other measures to provide a better pathway for the people of Western Sydney to participate in planning this new, world-class city.”
More information about the Independent Community Commissioner’s report, and the preliminary responses from the NSW Government is available here: https://bit.ly/3zkC007

$200 million support package for Not-for-Profits

The NSW Government has announced a $200 million support package for the Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector to help organisations faced with the financial impacts of the current restrictions.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government recognised many NFPs, which provide such vital support for the most vulnerable members of our community, were in need of more support themselves in this lockdown.
“NFPs in the social support and animal welfare sectors are in more demand than ever as we battle this Delta outbreak and this package will support those doing so much of the heavy lifting to help vulnerable communities in this pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
The funding initiative comes on top of the more than $5.1 billion, including $1 billion in Commonwealth support, announced by the NSW Government since the end of June.
“We’re continuously monitoring the impacts of this outbreak to see what adjustments or additional measures are needed,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Some NFPs did not meet the 30 per cent turnover threshold required for JobSaver so we’ve reduced that to 15 per cent for social support and animal welfare sectors, to ensure they can continue delivering the same level of service to those most in need.”
“We’ve also set up a $50 million Social Sector Support Fund to support vulnerable people and provide these NFPs with another avenue for financial assistance where they are experiencing increased demand for their services.”
The support package targets those NFPs providing social support and animal welfare with Service NSW and the Department of Communities and Justice to process applications from next month.
The Social Sector Support Fund will provide grants and direct payments to eligible NFPs and provide a Workforce Surge Payment to support social sector organisations to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks where staff have been furloughed.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the targeted support package includes measures designed to provide direct relief to organisations financially impacted by the pandemic.
“This support package is multilayered in recognition of the diversity of our social services organisations which are working tirelessly to support the most vulnerable people in our community during this challenging time,” Mr Henskens said.
“This investment will deliver targeted financial support to organisations to help ensure the continuity of the important services they provide to those most in need.”
Further details will become available in the coming weeks.

New freedoms for vaccinated – first step on state roadmap out of COVID

People across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms next month after NSW hit the target of six million jabs.
This is the first step in the roadmap and further freedoms will follow for those who have had the jab when the state hits new vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.
Following consultation with Dr Kerry Chant and her team, as well as the NSW Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright, the following individual freedoms will be allowed for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:

  • For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
  • For those who live in the LGAs of concern households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the one hour allowed for exercise.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the millions of people across NSW who came forward to receive their vaccine, helping hit the six million doses target.
“We are so grateful for every person who comes forward to get vaccinated because the more jabs we get into arms, the sooner we can lift restrictions,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We appreciate the community’s patience in the lead up to 13 September, this additional time will allow the recent surge of vaccines to take effect.”
As part of the roadmap when the following targets are hit, freedoms will be as follows:

  • 70 per cent full vaccination: a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions to be lifted for those who are vaccinated.
  • 80 per cent full vaccination: further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy.

The government is also investigating trials of certain industries in coming months, as a proof-of-concept measure to prepare the businesses to open up and operate in a COVID-safe way.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this roadmap is our path to freedom and is our biggest incentive yet to get vaccinated so we can return to a level of normality.
“The roadmap announced today outlines a clear pathway forward in which a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions will be lifted for those that are fully vaccinated when NSW hits 70 per cent,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Having a meal with loved ones, or having a drink with friends is just around the corner, but to get there, we need to keep up momentum in the vaccination rollout.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said two doses of the vaccine not only helps protect people from hospitalisation and death, but also helps reduce transmission.
“Two vaccine doses leads to around a 90 per cent overall reduction in transmission of the virus,” Mr Hazzard.
If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible.
There are several options to receive your ‘proof of COVID-19 vaccination’:

  • Download your COVID-19 digital certificate via the Express Plus Medicare mobile app or your Medicare online account through myGov.
    • You can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
    • Instructions are available on the Services Australia website.
  • If you can’t get proof online, your vaccination provider can print your immunisation history statement for you.
  • Call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm) and ask for your statement to be sent to you. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the post.
  • If you’re not eligible for Medicare you can call the Australian Immunisation Register and request your certificate be mailed to you or add your COVID-19 certificate to your digital wallet using the Individual Healthcare Identifiers service (IHI service) through myGov.

For the latest information visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19

NSW first to mandate COVID-19 jabs for all health staff

Healthcare workers in NSW will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help ensure the safety of colleagues and patients in all public and private hospitals.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the Public Health Order, health staff must have a first dose of vaccine by 30 September 2021 and be fully vaccinated by 30 November 2021, or at least have their second appointment booked to continue working.
“Many health workers in NSW are already vaccinated but if all of our staff are vaccinated it will provide greater protection for patients, visitors and other health staff,” Mr Hazzard said.
“It will also ease pressure on our health system during this challenging time. More than 1,200 healthcare workers have been in isolation each day over the past seven days and we cannot afford that right now. Vaccinations will help ensure our fantastic staff can continue to care for patients.
“The public and private health systems have a responsibility to implement every possible measure to provide a safe work environment for their staff and most importantly, safe circumstances for their patients.”
Frontline health staff and their families have had priority access to COVID-19 vaccines since the commencement of the Federal Government’s vaccination rollout in February.
National Cabinet agreed in June to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for aged care workers. NSW will now ensure the same protections exist for all our health workers.
Already in NSW, mandatory vaccinations for frontline health staff are required for contagious diseases including influenza, chicken pox, measles and whooping cough.
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination will apply to all NSW Health staff, as although NSW Health employs staff across a wide range of settings and organisations, these staff work together for many reasons, particularly during a pandemic.
“The great news is eight in 10 (80 per cent) of all NSW Health staff have already had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination,” Mr Hazzard said.
NSW Health has consulted with unions, peak bodies and private health providers about mandatory vaccination. We will all work together to help staff meet this obligation.
Staff will be required to provide evidence they have received their first dose to their employer by 30 September 2021 or they will be excluded from the workplace.
Those who have a medical contraindication will be exempt if a medical practitioner confirms the medical contraindication.