Resources and support | Safe Work Australia

From Friday 14 October 2022, it is no longer mandatory to isolate if you test positive to COVID-19.

The removal of mandatory isolation does not impact on the duties of an employer to do all that is reasonably practicable to minimise the risks of COVID-19 at the workplace, including asking workers to stay at home when unwell.

Information on these pages is currently being reviewed and will be updated shortly.

Employer

Some business operations are restricted under state or territory government public health directions. If you want to know what restrictions on business operations apply to your workplace, go to your state or territory government website.

You can also go to our Public health directions and COVIDSafe plans page for links to enforceable government directions.

Businesses must only operate to the extent permissible in each state and territory. The information provided below outlines measures which cover all aspects of services offered by the industry – depending on what is permissible in your jurisdiction, some sections may not be currently relevant to your business. You should check any relevant advice from your state or territory regarding working from home in response to COVID-19.

Safe Work Australia does not regulate or enforce WHS laws or COVID-19 restrictions on business operations. If you want to know how WHS laws apply to you or need help with what to do at your workplace, contact the WHS regulator in your jurisdiction.

Australia.gov.au has the latest information from the Australian Government.

Download the Australian Government Coronavirus app (Apple App Store, Google Play). 

Business.gov.au provides general COVID-19 information and support for businesses.

Australian Taxation Office support for businesses and employers, including information on JobKeeper payment, boosting cash flow, backing business investment.

Department of Health

Fair Work Ombudsman

Other useful resources

Mental health support services

WHS regulator and workers’ compensation authority contacts

General state and territory COVID-19 information

Tertiary education COVID-19 information

Commonwealth

Department of Education, Skills and Employment - Coronavirus (COVID) Information for higher education providers
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Australia - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Latest regulatory advice
Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training - COVID-19 FAQ

Queensland

Department of Education - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Queensland Government - Education – COVID-19

Western Australia

Department of the Premier and Cabinet - COVID-19 coronavirus: Advice for schools and education
Western Australian Training and Workforce Development - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Tasmania

TasTAFE - Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) – student and staff updates
Skills Tasmania – Latest news
Study Tasmania – COVID-19 Update

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Government COVID-19 website - Education and childcare
Canberra Institute of Technology - Response to COVID19

Northern Territory

Charles Darwin University - Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

Small Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented situation for everyone. As a small business it is understandable you may have concerns about how to continue to meet your WHS duties at this time. There are a number of practical steps you can take to manage the risk of exposure to COVID-19 at your workplace and meet your legal obligations.

Here are some ideas to help you get started thinking about what you can reasonably do to keep people safe at your workplace.

For more WHS information and resources for small business, go to the COVID-19 Small business hub.

You can also go to our Public health directions and COVIDSafe plans page for links to enforceable government directions.

Australia.gov.au has the latest information from the Australian Government.

Business.gov.au provides general COVID-19 information and support for businesses.

Support for sole traders provides information on assistance sole traders affected by the coronavirus may be eligible for.

My Business Health provides help to small business owners and sole traders, including mental health support.

Ahead for business provides help for small business owners and those that support them.

Australian Taxation Office support for businesses and employers, including information on JobKeeper payment, boosting cash flow, backing business investment.

Wage subsidy for apprentices and trainees has information and registration for the Australian Government’s small business wage subsidy to retain apprentices and trainees.

Loan repayment deferrals has information about deferral of loan repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19.

Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme has information on the Government’s guarantee scheme.

Download the Australian Government Coronavirus app (Apple App Store, Google Play). 

Fair Work Ombudsman

Other useful resources

Mental health support services

WHS regulator and workers’ compensation authority contacts

General state and territory COVID-19 information

Tertiary education COVID-19 information

Commonwealth

Department of Health - Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for universities, higher education and vocational education facilities, their students and staff
Department of Education, Skills and Employment - Coronavirus (COVID) Information for higher education providers
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Australia - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Latest regulatory advice
Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training - COVID-19 FAQ

Victoria

Department of Education and Training
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for TAFE, training providers, apprentices and trainees
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice
Victorian Registrations & Qualifications Authority - COVID-19: Employer information and FAQs

New South Wales

Department of Education - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
TAFE NSW - COVID-19 Support FAQ

South Australia

Department for Education - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
TAFE SA - Coronavirus advice

Queensland

Department of Education - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Queensland Government - Education – COVID-19

Western Australia

Department of the Premier and Cabinet - COVID-19 coronavirus: Advice for schools and education
Western Australian Training and Workforce Development - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Tasmania

TasTAFE - Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) – student and staff updates
Skills Tasmania – Latest news
Study Tasmania – COVID-19 Update

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Government COVID-19 website - Education and childcare
Canberra Institute of Technology - Response to COVID19

Northern Territory

Charles Darwin University - Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

Worker

You can also go to our Public health directions and COVIDSafe plans page for links to enforceable government directions.

It is normal to feel stressed during this time. Talk to your employer about your concerns as they may have an employee assistance program that can help you. 

You can also contact the following services: 

Lifeline Australia -  13 11 14 - Lifeline
Beyond Blue -  1300 224 636 - beyondblue.org.au 
Headspace - 1800 650 893 - headspace.org.au
Heads Up - headsup.org.au

Other information and services to help you if you’re affected by COVID-19

Fair Work Ombudsman

WHS regulator and workers’ compensation authority contacts

General state and territory COVID-19 information

Tertiary education COVID-19 information

Commonwealth

Department of Health - Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for universities, higher education and vocational education facilities, their students and staff
Department of Education, Skills and Employment - Coronavirus (COVID) Information for higher education providers
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Australia - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Latest regulatory advice
Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training - COVID-19 FAQ

Victoria

Department of Education and Training
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for TAFE, training providers, apprentices and trainees
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice
Victorian Registrations & Qualifications Authority - COVID-19: Employer information and FAQs

New South Wales

Department of Education - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
TAFE NSW - COVID-19 Support FAQ

South Australia

Department for Education - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
TAFE SA - Coronavirus advice

Queensland

Department of Education - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Queensland Government - Education – COVID-19

Western Australia

Department of the Premier and Cabinet - COVID-19 coronavirus: Advice for schools and education
Western Australian Training and Workforce Development - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Tasmania

TasTAFE - Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) – student and staff updates
Skills Tasmania – Latest news
Study Tasmania – COVID-19 Update

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Government COVID-19 website - Education and childcare
Canberra Institute of Technology - Response to COVID19

Northern Territory

Charles Darwin University - Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

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To ensure this information is as accessible and easy to understand as possible, we refer to ‘employers’ and their responsibilities.

However, under the model WHS laws, duties apply to any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) which includes employers, but also others who engage workers. For more information about who is a PCBU see our Interpretive Guideline – model Work Health and Safety Act – the meaning of ‘person conducting a business or undertaking'.

The model WHS laws have been implemented in all jurisdictions except Victoria.

Safe Work Australia does not regulate or enforce WHS laws or the recently introduced COVID-19 restrictions on business operations. If you want to know how WHS laws apply to you or need help with what to do at your workplace, contact the WHS regulator in your jurisdiction. If you want to know what restrictions on business operations apply to you or your workplace, go to your relevant state and territory government website for information.

See Australia.gov.au for Australian Government COVID-19 advice

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Tertiary education Resources and support

Mental health support services

WHS regulator and workers’ compensation authority contacts

General state and territory COVID-19 information

Tertiary education COVID-19 information

Commonwealth

Victoria

New South Wales

South Australia

Queensland

Western Australia

Tasmania

Australian Capital Territory

Northern Territory

Mental health support services

WHS regulator and workers’ compensation authority contacts

General state and territory COVID-19 information

Tertiary education COVID-19 information

Commonwealth

Victoria

New South Wales

South Australia

Queensland

Western Australia

Tasmania

Australian Capital Territory

Northern Territory

Other information and services to help you if you’re affected by COVID-19

WHS regulator and workers’ compensation authority contacts

General state and territory COVID-19 information

Tertiary education COVID-19 information

Commonwealth

Victoria

New South Wales

South Australia

Queensland

Western Australia

Tasmania

Australian Capital Territory

Northern Territory

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