This move aims to ensure employers have the data to take necessary control measures at work
Victoria-based employers will be allowed to collect their employees' vaccination status starting July 12 under updated state regulations. Changes made under the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (COVID-19 Vaccination Information) Regulations 2022 gives employers the authority for 12 months to collect employees' vaccination information if they choose to keep the jabs a requirement to keep workplaces safe.
"These regulations will mean individual employers can choose to implement their own vaccination policies, to collect and hold COVID-19 vaccination information of their workers," said Workplace Safety Minister Ingrid Stitt.
According to the state government, the policy does not mean workers will be required to get vaccinated, but it aims to ensure that employers have the information they need to make necessary control measures at the workplace.
It comes after Victoria lifted its mandatory vaccination regulations, except for high-risk settings, with the enforcement of COVID-19 vaccination policies left to the discretion of employers.
"It's important that workplaces continue to mitigate against the risks associated with COVID-19 to keep their workers safe - especially as we move through the winter months," said Stitt.
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Employers are directed under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to identify whether there is a risk of COVID-19 exposure in their workplaces.
If there are, employers are mandated to eliminate the risks as far as reasonably practicable and if not, they are required to implement measures to reduce the risks.
Despite not being mandatory, the state government underscored that vaccination remains strongly recommended for workers and employers are urged to actively encourage their staff to remain up to date with their vaccination status.
"The pandemic is not over, and vaccinations remain our best defence for preventing serious illness and hospitalisation," said Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas. "We're ensuring employers can continue to take steps to keep their employees and workplaces COVIDsafe."
