Residential aged care workers
When you get vaccinated, you are protecting yourself and the people you care for.
Why you need to be vaccinated
It is mandatory for residential aged care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
All states and territories have mandated COVID-19 vaccination in residential aged care through public health orders.
The public health orders define which workers the mandate applies to and any limited exemptions that may apply.
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination applies to full time, part-time and casual residential aged care workers, volunteers engaged by a facility, and students on placement.
Read the latest on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in residential aged care, including state and territory public health orders.
The booster dose of the COVID vaccination reinvigorates each and everyone.
Just means I'm free, I'm up to date with all of them.
If there's another one to come, well, I'll still be in line.
It's the one thing that I can do to keep you safe.
I'll be happy to go out now and not worry about getting it.
I feel it's important to receive the booster vaccine to protect the residents, and the staff were all leading the charge to be vaccinated as well.
About booster doses
A fact sheet for workers is available to explain the COVID-19 booster program in residential aged care and how you can receive your booster dose if you are eligible.
The expert advice is that people are eligible for a booster vaccination if they completed their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine more than six months ago.
People who have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are fully vaccinated and very well protected against serious illness, hospitalisation or death from COVID-19.
A booster dose will boost a person’s immune response and provide an additional layer to further reduce the risk of breakthrough infection (when a fully vaccinated person gets COVID-19 and is at risk of transmitting the virus to others).
For this reason, all residents and workers in residential aged care are encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster from six months after they have completed their primary course (2 doses).
From 8 November 2021, the Australian Government will roll out a national COVID-19 vaccine booster program for residents in aged care facilities.
Every facility across Australia will have a booster clinic on-site for residents and workers who are eligible – that is, who received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least six months prior.
If you received your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine less than six months ago, you will be able to get your booster when you become eligible through other channels such as GPs, pharmacies and vaccination clinics.
Workers who still require a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine can receive a Pfizer vaccination at the booster clinic.
Your facility will notify you when the COVID-19 vaccine booster clinic is scheduled and ensure you complete a consent form prior to the day of the clinic.
If you are due for a booster vaccine and not able to get vaccinated on the day, you can book a booster appointment using the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.
You can also call the dedicated COVID-19 Helpline on 1800 020 080 (select option 4) for any questions about vaccination and for assistance on how to book an appointment.
Why your employer needs to know your vaccination status
Residential aged care workers are required to notify their employer of their COVID-19 vaccination status under state and territory public health orders on mandatory vaccination in residential aged care.
Your residential aged care service is required to keep records and report on the number of residents and workers who have received a COVID-19 vaccination.
This information is used to assess your employer’s compliance with mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements as outlined in the public health orders in each state or territory.
Read more about mandatory COVID-19 vaccination reporting.
How to prove your vaccination status
There are two options for you to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination in Australia:
- A COVID-19 Digital Certificate – for individuals who have received two doses of a vaccine as approved for use in Australia.
- An Immunisation History Statement – which displays all vaccinations or medical contraindications and authorised exemptions, including COVID-19, that have been reported to the Australian Immunisation Register.
Read the fact sheet on how residential aged care workers can prove their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Where you can get vaccinated
Residential aged care workers have priority access to the Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of age.
This includes contractors and volunteers engaged by residential aged care facilities, allied health professionals who provide on-site services, and students on placement in aged care facilities.
Read the fact sheet on COVID-19 vaccination for workers.
Talk to your facility or employer about which of the below options are available to you:
- Onsite clinics at your workplace: Second dose clinics for workers are being delivered by Commonwealth vaccine providers, primary care providers or aged care providers.
- Dedicated vaccination hubs: These hubs are located near residential aged care facilities and delivered by Commonwealth vaccine providers.
You can identify yourself as an aged care worker to get priority access to a COVID-19 vaccine of your choice at:
- Primary care clinics: including general practices, Commonwealth vaccination clinics (GP respiratory clinic), or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
- Pharmacies
- State and territory run vaccination clinics
You can book an appointment at a clinic near you via the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.
Call the Helpline on 1800 020 080 (select option 4). The dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline can answer any questions you may have about vaccination and can help you book a vaccination appointment.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. If you have any questions or concerns talk to your doctor.
Information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines is available in many languages.
Available vaccines
The Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) vaccines are now available to all people aged 12 years and over through all Commonwealth vaccination channels, including primary care clinics.
This means people aged 60 and over now have choice of vaccine; previously they were only eligible to receive the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) vaccine.
The Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) vaccine remains available to all people aged over 18.
It is important to get vaccinated now with the COVID-19 vaccine available to you.
Vaccination will help protect you, your family and those you care for against hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.
What to take to your vaccination appointment
You can provide the following documents to confirm you require a priority vaccination:
- proof of identity (e.g. driver's licence, passport, birth certificate)
- proof of employment (e.g. one of the following):
- letter from your employer confirming have priority access
- current work ID card or payslip showing you are currently employed at a residential aged care facility
- Medicare card if you have one. You are still eligible to get priority vaccination even if you do not have a Medicare card.
Support to get vaccinated
Casual residential aged care workers are eligible to receive via their employer:
- $80 per dose for offsite vaccination
- a day of paid leave ($185) if unwell after vaccination and you have no other leave entitlements.
These payments are made possible via the Residential Aged Care COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Support Grant program through to 29 October 2021. Applications for the grant program are made by residential aged care providers.
You can discuss the grant program with your aged care facility.
Resources for Workers
The following resources are available:
- Information on the COVID-19 booster program for residential aged care workers
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination for residential aged care workers
- COVID-19 vaccination for residential aged care workers
- Letter from employer confirming priority eligibility for vaccination
- Why is my employer asking if I have received a COVID-19 vaccination?
- Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in residential aged care
- Who can get vaccinated
- Safety of COVID-19 vaccines
- Find out the facts about COVID-19 vaccines
These information sheets are available in several languages.