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Enforceable government directions during coronavirus
In line with expert health advice about what the community must do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Australian governments have issued enforceable government directions which set out requirements and restrictions for businesses in each state and territory. These public health directions may include matters such as:
- directions for certain workers to be vaccinated
- limits on public gatherings
- physical distancing and density requirements (such as 1.5 metre distancing and 4 square metres of space per person)
- limits and restrictions on operations, including types of businesses or facilities remaining closed and limitations on activities
- hygiene, cleaning and signage requirements
- risk management requirements such as COVIDSafe plans (or similar)
- keeping records of contact details for the purposes of contact tracing, and
- penalties and compliance.
Not all public health directions will be the same in each state and territory or for each business, so it is important you review the directions which apply to your workplace.
Remember, even if these public health directions don’t apply to your workplace, you must still do all you reasonably can to meet your work health and safety duties and limit the spread of COVID-19.
Links to enforceable government health and emergency directions and COVIDSafe plans
Some businesses and organisations are required to prepare COVIDSafe Plans (or similar). These requirements may be implemented under public health or emergency management directions or to meet jurisdictional WHS requirements.
As enforceable government directions are being made regularly, we encourage you to regularly check the links on this page for more information.
Australian Capital Territory
- ACT Government - ACT Public health directions
- ACT Government - Business resource kit (go to COVID safety plan guidelines)
New South Wales
Northern Territory
- Northern Territory Government - Chief Public Health Officer directions
- Northern Territory Government - COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist
Queensland
- Queensland Health - Chief Health Officer public health directions
- Workplace Health and Safety Queensland - Work health and safety plan for COVID-19
- Queensland Government - COVID Safe checklists and factsheets
- Business Queensland - Industry COVID Safe plans
South Australia
- Government of South Australia - Emergency Declarations and Directions
- Government of South Australia - COVID-Safe plan form
Tasmania
- Tasmanian Government - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Resources (under the heading 'Current Directions')
- WorkSafe Tasmania - COVID19 Safety plan templates and checklist
Victoria
- Victorian Department of Health and Human Services - Restriction levels
- Business Victoria - COVID-19 industry guidelines
Western Australia
- Western Australian Government - State of Emergency declarations
- Western Australian Government - Business tools and information
Commonwealth
Biosecurity laws cover issues such as travel restrictions, cruise ships, international airports and remote communities.
- Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Overseas Travel Ban Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020 (25 March 2020)
- Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements – Retail Outlets at International Airports) Determination 2020 (28 March 2020)
- Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Remote Communities) Determination 2020 (5 June 2020)
- Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Cruise Ships) Determination 2020 (21 May 2020)
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.