Confused about COVID-19 vaccination records? This article is for you.
ELAA members may have recently received information from WorkSafe that pandemic regulations to assist with collecting, recording, holding and using COVID-19 vaccination information have expired.
The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (COVID-19 Vaccination Information Regulations) 2022 (Regulations) was a temporary amendment to the existing work health and safety regulations in Victoria, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017.
The COVID-19 Vaccination Information Regulations expired on 12 July 2023. Employers are no longer permitted to collect or retain COVID-19 vaccination information records and had until 11 August 2023 (30 days) to ensure their removal.
What are COVID-19 vaccination records?
Vaccination information or records specific to COVID-19 for staff, committee members, contractors, students, or volunteers may include:
- COVID-19 digital records (including PDF screenshots or files)
- printed copies or PDF files/folders of COVID-19 vaccination certificates
- immunisation history statements
- an internal COVID-19 vaccination register/s or documents (including with HR)
- any other private or confidential records relating to COVID-19 vaccinations, such as copies of Medicare cards or numbers.
Employers are strongly encouraged to review any existing COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policies to determine their suitability, as COVID-19 vaccination records can no longer be collected, sighted or stored. This includes conducting a risk assessment to determine if your mandatory policy can be removed or transitioned into a voluntary(...)
