High-risk businesses get green light for mandatory staff vaccinations
The Prime Minister has said the federal government has no intention of making Covid vaccines mandatory, however, employers could enforce it.
"The national vaccination program in Australia is not a mandatory vaccination program and that's not the policy of the government," Scott Morrison said on Friday.
Fair Work Commission advice says employers can direct workers to be vaccinated in lawful and reasonable circumstances.
Mandated vaccines are more likely to be allowed if employees work in high-risk environments like hotel quarantine or border control.
Aged Care workers have until September 17 to have at least one dose of a Covid vaccine to be allowed to work. More than 43 per cent have received their first jab.
However, Mr Morrison did say employers may give employees a "reasonable directive".
"If they do so, they will have to stay consistent with the law and particularly dealing with a situation where an employee may be in good direct contact potentially become infected and acquire the virus," he said.
The Prime Minister said it would be up to the courts to decide whether it is reasonable for retail, supermarket and other essential services to make jabs mandatory.
"Employers need to consider those matters very carefully if they are looking to make directions of that nature," he said.
The reassurance comes after SPC became the first non-health-related business to ban employees unless they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19.
The mandate will be effective from the end of November, the company announced on Thursday.
With AAP
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