South Australia and Western Australia have become the first states to draft into law that residential aged care workers must have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to have a job.
Western Australia’s Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson additionally stated that any residential aged care workers who go to work unvaccinated against COVID-19 face fines of up to $20,000. The penalties rise to $100,000 for bodies corporate.
The new mandatory vaccination rules come into effect in SA and WA on 17 September as State and Territory leaders agreed at National Cabinet. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday that all State and Territory leaders had agreed to put in place public health orders that make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for RAC workers.
According to data supplied by the Commonwealth Department of Health, 53% of aged care staff in SA – or 14,891 of the 28,234 workers reported by providers – have so far received a first vaccine dose. The figure includes 9,742 who have had their second doses – or 35%.
As of Monday, 11,302 (45%) aged care workers in WA had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mark McGowan’s Government is also spending $2 million on a local, national and international recruitment campaign that will drive health professionals to WA, with nine additional nursing occupations being added to the State Nominated Migration Program in WA.
“This is a good move which will get nurses to return home to Western Australia and the migration program will enable visa holders already in Australia to fill jobs not being met by local workers,” said Liz Behjat, WA Manager of Leading Age Services Australia.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Monday that 57% of all aged care workers had received at least one dose of vaccine and he was confident all aged care workers will be vaccinated by 17 September.
“Every aged care facility in Australia is expected to and, on the advice that I have, does have a plan to complete that vaccination process,” Mr Hunt said.
The Federal Government is offering additional payments to vaccination providers who set up clinics at aged care facilities to immunise staff at their workplaces.
“The additional incentives are offered in recognition of the importance of vaccinating workers against COVID-19 to support the wellbeing of the vulnerable people they care for,” Mr Hunt said.