Can unvaccinated ECEC staff members return to work in the ECEC sector under the same circumstances prior to the vaccination mandates in place?

The Public Health Direction – Vaccination requirements in relation to Early Childhood Facilities – No. 1 (vaccination mandate) expired on 1 July 2022 as the Emergency Declaration is no longer in effect.

Persons will no longer be subject under the Public Health Act 1997 to be vaccinated before they can “enter, or remain” on a site where ECEC services operate.

However, ECEC services retain the right to have policies in place requiring their workforce to be vaccinated or impose restrictions on the entry of certain persons on-site for health and safety reasons.

Refer to this fact sheet –Best Practice Vaccination (PDF, 61KB) under the heading ‘Should I require COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace?‘ for the latest guidance from Public Health.