News
| 28 October 2021

Mandatory vaccinations for construction services in WA

Update 3 December 2021

The Western Australian Government announced a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for a majority of occupations and workforces in WA on 1 November. The Building and Construction Industry Worker (Restrictions on Access) Directions have now been signed by the Chief Health Officer. 

The Directions prevent building and construction workers (unless exempt) from entering a building and construction site unless they are vaccinated against COVID-19. In accordance to the previous announcement, building and construction workers are required to have their first dose by 31 December 2021 and be fully vaccinated by 31 January 2022. 

A building or construction worker is considered as any person who carries out activities or undertakes services at a building and construction site and is employed or otherwise engaged, including in a voluntary or unpaid capacity.  

 

1 November 2021

On 20 October 2021 the Western Australian Government announced a mandatory vaccination policy to ensure those delivering critical services to the community are vaccinated.

Industries were split into two categories. Group one covers services such as the police, border control and emergency services. Also included in group one is anyone working in or entering remote aboriginal communities. For these occupations first vaccination is required by 31 November 2021, and the second dose deadline is 31 December 2021.

Group two covers a range of industries including building, maintenance, or construction services. For this group first dose vaccination is required by December 31 2021, and the second dose is due by 31 January 2022.

These changes are expected to affect not only infrastructure-based engineers, but engineers across the board working in WA.

Minister for Planning - Rita Saffioti, Minister for Commerce - Amber-Jade Sanderson, Minister for Housing - John Carey and Minister for Finance - Tony Buti, held an industry roundtable on 27 October to provide key information on the policy.

Engineers Australia’s Western Australia General Manager Susan Kreemer Pickford attended the roundtable on behalf of the WA members.   

The roundtable provided clarification of the role of employers and employees regarding the vaccination mandate. It will be the employer's responsibility to ensure that employees are vaccinated or are exempt. Employees will then be responsible for providing evidence of their vaccination status.

Engineers Australia is working with Consult Australia, the Construction Contractors Association of Western Australia and the Civil Contractors Federation of Western Australia on a response to the Western Australian government Mandatory Vaccination Policy and the drafting of the Health Directions under this policy.

For more information on the mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations in WA please visit the WA Department of Health website.