Can employers require their employees to be vaccinated?

Published February 2021

It is the question on everyone’s mind.

Guidance material published by the Fair Work Ombudsman this month suggests that “in the current circumstances, the overwhelming majority of employers should assume that they won’t be able to require their employees to be vaccinated against coronavirus.”

This is largely because Australia will adopt a voluntary vaccination policy, and there are currently no laws or health orders in place that would allow employers to enforce such directions.

The vaccination roll out has commenced Australia-wide this week, so we expect to see this landscape change and develop over the coming weeks and months.

We encourage all businesses to familiarise themselves with the information found on the Fair Work Ombudsman website here, along with the Safe Work Australia website here – the pages have comprehensive FAQ pages which we are confident you will find useful.

Book a Free Consultation

Free 30-minute HR consultation and a review of your existing employment agreement,
with our no-obligation recommendations.