On 10 November 2021 the Chief Health Officer (Queensland) provided directions pursuant to s362B of the Public Health Act 2005 to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community.
The Direction sets out mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers.
Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction | Queensland Health
A worker in healthcare for the purposes of vaccination includes any person who works as a health professional, contractor, independent third-party provider, other employee or volunteer, whether employed by the healthcare facility or performing the work under another arrangement. For further clarity this includes
- anyone in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme
- all self-regulated allied health professionals
- other allied health service providers whose services are eligible for a Medicare or private health insurance rebate
- other healthcare, support services and personal care
- disability support services, including personal care
- a dentist
- contractors or independent third-party providers of services or supplies including transport or courier services
- all other individuals who work in healthcare.
All employers of onsite workers who are classified as contractors or independent third-party providers of services or supplies are required to complete the Contractor and Supplier Acknowledgement Register process at Contractor acknowledgement register (mater.org.au)
Yes.
There are a number of options for registration of staff or subcontractors.
- The contractors and suppliers providing onsite workers will be required to meet the requirements of contracting to Mater through registering through the Mater compliance portal Contractor acknowledgement register (mater.org.au)
- All onsite workers in Work Types 1, 2 and 3 will be required to register their vaccination status in one of Mater’s registrations systems. The following provides further clarity on these options:
- An onsite worker who is issued an individual photo Mater ID card for attendance on a fixed term arrangement will be required to register their vaccination status and evidence in the Mater’s Covid-19 Vaccination Register using the following link: COVID-19 Vaccination Register Form (mater.org.au)
- Employee of a Contracted supplier with a recurrent ongoing agreement
- The employer will be required to upload their agreement with Mater’s requirements of contracting to Mater through registering through the Mater’s compliance portal Contractor acknowledgement register (mater.org.au)
- The employer is required to meet the compliance requirements through the Smartek system if a registered supplier /contractor to Mater
- The employee on arrival at site will need to both swipe their Smartek identification card for verification of compliance and scan Mater QR code and answer mandatory Covid screening questions before access will be granted or temporary access card and keys issued.
- Employees of a supplier who provide services to Mater on an irregular basis must on arrival scan the Mater QR Code before access will be granted.
- Employees or sub-contractors to Construction projects within clinical areas and within a designated work zone they have been given ownership of for the duration of the project but where they must transit through or access services within a clinical building then are considered Work Type 3 and must comply with the requirements identified in the Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction Queensland Health.
- Employees or subcontractors to Construction Projects which are not within a clinical areas (Work Type 4) and within a designated work zone must comply with their employers COVID Risk Management Plan and meet Mater’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Guideline—Contractors and Suppliers. They will not be given access to Mater Clinical Buildings via an access card.
Mater reserves the right to deny access to a Mater Site if a contractor or supplier cannot demonstrate to the satisfaction of Mater that the person seeking access to the site is fully vaccinated from 01 November 2021.
Yes, all individuals attending a health setting must scan in by the QR code.
All contractors and suppliers will be required to scan in via the Mater Contractor QR app each and every time they attend a Mater facility.
Yes, the Queensland government requires all people visiting any business to use the “Check in Qld” app
The Mater Contractor app collects information relating to potential COVID19 exposure which is essential for managing risks to staff and clinical environments.
The "Check in Qld app" does not ask these questions but can be configured to provide proof of vaccination which is collated by Queensland Government.
Yes, a business can complete a single registration form for all their employees. However, all individuals who are regarded as an “onsite employee” (regularly attends Mater) will need to register their vaccination status and upload their own vaccination certificate COVID-19 Vaccination Register Form (mater.org.au)
Yes, all individuals attending a health setting must scan in by the QR code in accordance with Section 2.5 of the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Guideline—Contractors and Suppliers
All data collected is encrypted and subject to Australian Privacy Law.
The Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction | Queensland Health states that as soon as reasonably practicable after each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the worker in healthcare must provide evidence of complying with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements to their employer, where applicable, and to the responsible person for the healthcare setting.
Please refer to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) via the following link for advice on the handling of this information: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Understanding your privacy obligations to your staff - Home (oaic.gov.au)
Personal information collected by Mater is handled in accordance with privacy legislation and the appropriate Mater Policies and Procedures and the Mater By-Laws.
Personal information collected by Mater will be securely stored and only accessible by authorised employees within Mater.
Personal information collected by Mater will not be disclosed to any other third parties without consent, unless required or authorised by law.
Mater reserves the right to deny access to Contractors and Suppliers from entering a Mater hospital or clinical facility if they cannot provide their vaccination status from 1 November 2021.
The Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction | Queensland Health also states that a worker in healthcare must not enter, work in, or provide services in a healthcare setting unless the worker in healthcare complies with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements,
A worker in healthcare and their employer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the worker in healthcare does not enter, work in, or provide services in a healthcare setting if the person is prohibited from doing so under this Direction. Mater reserves the right to deny access to Contractors and Suppliers from entering a Mater hospital or clinical facility if they cannot provide their vaccination status from 1 November 2021.
The Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction | Queensland Health also states that a worker in healthcare must not enter, work in, or provide services in a healthcare setting unless the worker in healthcare complies with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements,
A worker in healthcare and their employer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the worker in healthcare does not enter, work in, or provide services in a healthcare setting if the person is prohibited from doing so under this Direction.
All personal information is collected and stored in accordance with privacy legislation requirements and Mater policy. You can find the Mater Policy here: Privacy - Mater
A receipt of acknowledgement will be emailed.
Please contact us and provide any questions or feedback via the email address covid19.contractors@mater.org.au