Mandatory vaccination in residential aged care
The Commonwealth Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health have advised that it will be mandatory for residential aged care workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination from 17 September 2021, this includes students undertaking work placements.
If you are undertaking an aged care work placement you must make preparations now to receive a minimum first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 17 September.
If you have not received your first dose by this date, you will be unable to attend an aged care placement. This means you may not be able to complete some units of competency and you may not be able to complete your qualification.
Further information about COVID-19 vaccination is available at the Commonwealth Department of Health and the wa.gov.au websites.
Healthcare students preparing for work placement are eligible to access vaccinations under Phase 1b of the vaccination program. Go to VaccinateWA and complete the registration and consent process.
When you come to the eligibility questions you should choose the following:
Do you work in a critical or high risk industry > Yes
Priority population > Non-WA Health Healthcare Worker
Once you have chosen these options (and any other eligibility criteria that might apply to you) the system will advise you are eligible and will give you the option to book in for an appointment.
GP clinics are now providing some vaccines, and appointments for these can also be booked through the Commonwealth eligibility checker.
We will keep you updated with any changes or advice via Sonia, our Clinical Placement Office and teaching departments as soon as information becomes available.
We know you may have questions or concerns, feel free to contact us on 1800 672 700 or email info@crtafe.wa.edu.au
Your lecturer or member of our training team will also discuss this requirement with you in class over the next couple of weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated guidelines can be found on the Commonwealth Department of Health website Mandatory Vaccination of Aged Care Workers and the wa.gov.au website.
The definition of a student on placement is A person who is a student and is on a placement at a residential aged care facility as a formal part of their education.
Yes. Vaccination is highly recommended (but not mandatory) for those studying in the areas of:
- Disability
- Allied Health
- Hospital pharmacy
- Anaesthetic technology
- Pathology
- Health Service Assistant
- Dental Assisting
- Enrolled Nursing
- Community services – where placement is undertaken in aged/disability care
The current guidelines apply to students on work placement in residential aged care facilities.
At this stage, academic staff are not required to be vaccinated to supervise students on work placement in residential aged care facilities however it is encouraged.
- Directed to do so by an emergency officer; or
- Required to do so by their employer or by the owner, occupier or person apparently in charge of a residential aged care facility.