New year, fiercer flu: this year’s influenza vaccine requirements for aged care staff

By Daniel Ive 

According to Federal Health data, confirmed influenza cases in Australia are now 100 times higher than they were a year ago. There were, 8,453 cases in the first two months of this year, compared with 79 cases in the first two months of 2022.

This increase looks worse because COVID restrictions caused very low influenza rates last year. Regardless, it’s expected that the rate of flu in 2023 will return to pre-COVID years (before 2020) and experts agree that the flu is coming in hard and fast.

Historically, private aged care and other residential facilities have required employees and visitors at these care facilities to be immunised against the virus to control outbreaks.

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and associated risks to health and safety, most State Governments mandated the vaccine for employees and visitors to residential aged-care facilities. However, now that time has progressed and COVID-19 is no longer at pandemic status, there has been a noticeable shift towards allowing workplaces to establish their own regulatory structure on vaccine requirements, based on relevantly assessed Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) risks.

Requirements for aged care workers and care facility workers within the private sector vary state by state. Here are the requirements it’s important that you know about.

Victoria

Under the Health Services Amendment (Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers) Act 2020 there is currently no requirement for workers in a private care facility to have the influenza vaccine.

NSW

As per the advice of the NSW Chief Health Officer, there is currently a strong recommendation but no requirement for workers in a private care facility to have the influenza vaccine.

Queensland

As per the advice of the Queensland Chief Health Officer, there is currently a strong recommendation but no requirement for workers in a private care facility to have the influenza vaccine.

ACT

As per the advice of the Australian Capital Territory Chief Health Officer, there is currently a strong recommendation but no requirement for workers in a private care facility to have the influenza vaccine.

South Australia

As per the advice of the South Australia Chief Health Officer, there is currently a strong recommendation but no requirement for workers in a private care facility to have the influenza vaccine.

Northern Territory

As per the advice of the Northern Territory Chief Health Officer, there is currently a strong recommendation but no requirement for workers in a private care facility to have the influenza vaccine.

Western Australia

As per the advice of the Government of Western Australia Department of Health, there is currently a strong recommendation but no requirement for workers in a private care facility to have the influenza vaccine.

Tasmania 

As per the advice of the Tasmania Chief Health Officer, there is currently a strong recommendation but no requirement for workers in a private care facility to have the influenza vaccine.

Please note that the directions in each state are subject to change and businesses should ensure they stay up to date with the most recent health advice.

If you’re an HR Assured client and you need workplace advice, contact our 24/7 Telephone Advisory Service.

Not an HR Assured client and seeking employment relations advice? The team at HR Assured can support your business on a range of workplace matters. Contact us today to arrange a confidential, no-obligation chat.

Daniel Ive is a Workplace Relations Advisor and assists a variety of clients via the Telephone Advisory Service. He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts/Laws.