Further to earlier communications from the QHA, The Premier of Queensland, the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk, MP announced on 9 November that from 17 December 2021, all staff and patrons in hospitality venues are to be fully vaccinated.

This announcement will be contained in a Chief Health Officer public health direction. A public health direction is made under the Public Health Act 2005 and therefore is made in accordance with a law of Queensland and must be followed.

At the time of this QHA update, the public health direction is still yet to be published.

This is important because the public health direction will, amongst other outstanding questions:

  • Detail whom the direction applies to;
  • Outline possible exemptions to being vaccinated;
  • Authorise the collection of vaccination; and
  • Detail what information employers need to record or keep

The public health direction will also provide the lawful basis for employers directing those employees captured by the public health direction to be vaccinated.

As detailed in our 12 November ER Bulletin, the QHA’s Employment Relations team has developed a couple of templates in advance of the public health direction being released for members to use to commence communication with employees about mandatory vaccination. To access a copy of this Bulletin, click HERE.

Further templates, information and guidance will be provided once the public health direction is released and in the lead up to 17 December 2021.