What you need to know

• Disability support workers must have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or have booked a vaccination appointment by 21 November
• Evidence of the vaccination or booking must be provided to their employer
• NDS is advocating for amendments to the current Public Health Direction to better protect Tasmanians with disability.

Public Health has announced a Tasmanian Public Health Direction (Vaccination requirements for Certain Workers – No. 8) under section 16 of the Public Health Act 1997, which requires vaccination of workers who are employed or engaged to provide high intensity supports to NDIS participants from 21 November 2021.

The sections within the Public Health Direction that specifically refer to the mandate for disability workers are sections (f), (r) and (u – paragraph v) and detail the following:

• On and from 21 November 2021, a person, who is employed or engaged to provide high intensity supports to an NDIS participant, must be sufficiently vaccinated
• Employers are required to notify their staff about the mandate and ensure they are sufficiently vaccinated or ensure they are not providing high intensity supports from 21 November
  
  
• High intensity supports are defined in the Public Health Direction as:
  • A) one of the following supports that, if provided as part of the NDIS, requires certification under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018:
        (I) assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared living arrangement;
        (II) group and centre-based activities;
        (III) specialised supported employment;
        (IV) assistance with daily personal activities;
  • B) one of the following supports that, if provided as part of the NDIS, requires verification under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018:
        (I) community nursing care;
        (II) therapeutic supports;

NDS has received extensive feedback on the Public Health Direction. We are advocating for amendments to the current Public Health Direction to better protect Tasmanians with disability.

NDS has raised concerns around the narrow definition and have recommended that the scope be expanded to include:

• all NDIS services provided to an NDIS participant by a registered or unregistered NDIS provider
• services funded under other programs such as continuity of support (CoS) arrangements, Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program, Motor Accident Insurance Board (MAIB), Transport Accident Commission (TAC), attendant care, workcover claims and other compensable injuries.

NDS has also pointed out that the word "High intensity supports" has a meaning in the sector (referring to support for participants with more complex support needs) not intended by the direction and have asked for amendments to the wording in the Public Health Direction.

Disability interface meeting: Vaccine mandate for disability support workers

NDS is hosting an interface meeting next Wednesday 10 November, with Public Health, the Department of Communities, and the Disability Sector regarding the Public Health Direction requiring vaccination for certain disability support workers.

Public health will take questions on the day. This will be an opportunity for direct communication around this order and an opportunity to raise any concerns.

Register for the Disability interface meeting: Vaccine mandate for disability support workers

Useful links:

• Disability Support Workers | Coronavirus Tas Gov
• Vaccination options
• Australian Government Department of Health - Disability provider Alerts
• Australian Government Department of Health - Providing disability support services during COVID-19
• Australian Government Department of Health - COVID-19 vaccine information for disability service providers
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for health professionals, including aged care providers, pathology providers and health care managers

Article sourced from National Disability Services