Orders and directions during coronavirus

Published 30 March 2020 | Updated 16 May 2022

The Australian Government and state and territory governments have issued enforceable government directions to help stop the spread of coronavirus and public health orders relating to COVID-19. These set legal requirements for people and businesses that they apply to.

The types of requirements they have set include:

• COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements for certain workers and workplaces
• restrictions on workplaces, such as requirements for a workplace to close quickly or operate differently because of COVID-19.

Choose your state or territory government website below to find the orders or directions that may apply to you and your workplace.

For information on your workplace rights and responsibilities for COVID-19 vaccinations or testing, go to:

• COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and the workplace
• COVID-19 testing and the workplace.

On this page:

• COVID-19 vaccination and testing – orders and directions
• Workplace restrictions – orders and directions

COVID-19 vaccination and testing – orders and directions

State and territory governments have made public health orders and enforceable government directions requiring certain workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 testing requirements may also apply. Employers and workers need to comply with any orders and directions that apply to them.

Examples of workers who may have vaccination or testing requirements include:

• health care workers
• education workers
• in-home and community aged care workers.

Check what rules apply in your state or territory at:

• Australian Capital Territory: ACT Government – Information for employees that require vaccination
• New South Wales: NSW Government – Vaccination requirements for workers
• Northern Territory: Northern Territory Government – Mandatory vaccinations
• Queensland: Queensland Government – Public health and social measures
• South Australia: SA Government – COVID-19 response
• Tasmania: Tasmanian Government – Vaccination requirements
• Victoria: Victorian Government – Information for industry and workers required to be vaccinated
• Western Australia: WA Department of Health – COVID-19 vaccination program

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Workplace restrictions – orders and directions

State and territory governments have made public health orders and enforceable government directions setting requirements and restrictions for businesses. These requirements are mandatory and there may be penalties for not complying with any orders or directions that apply to a business.

These orders and directions include restrictions and requirements such as:

• physical distancing and density requirements (for example, 1.5 metre distancing and 4 square metres of space per person)
• limits and restrictions on operations (for example, types of businesses or facilities remaining closed and limits on workplace activities)
• risk management requirements (for example, COVIDSafe plans).

Check what rules apply in your state or territory at:

• Australian Capital Territory: ACT Government – Restrictions
• New South Wales: NSW Government – COVID-19 rules
• Northern Territory: NT Government – Current restrictions, rules and exposure sites
• Queensland: Queensland Government – COVID-19
• South Australia: SA Government – Current activity restrictions
• Tasmania: Tasmanian Government Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Victoria: Victorian Government – Coronavirus – Business and work
• Western Australia: WA Government – COVID-19 coronavirus

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