COVID-19 information for our workforce and clients.

We are following advice from the Australian Government and Australian Government Department of Health with early preparations sustaining continued quality services to clients. Our management is constantly vigilant, ensuring that current and evolving protocols to identify risk of infection, and ensure COVID safe and infection control procedures are effectively implemented and adhered to.

These steps are being undertaken to protect our staff and participants:

  • Adhering to government advice on when our employees should wear PPE and rapidly updating our practices if government advice changes.
  • Communicating our Emergency Preparedness and Mandatory Notification requirements to our support staff.
Doctor or lab technician scientist in PPE Personal Protective Equipment clapping
  • Providing clear directives that our support workers must not come to work or visit clients if they are unwell. In particular, if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath) or have had close contact with someone who has been confirmed as having COVID-19, or someone who is currently being tested for COVID-19
  • Adoption of new work schedule and hygiene practices, tailored to the client and work environment
  • Reinforcing handwashing and hand-sanitising protocols: upon arrival, before/after direct contact and at regular intervals throughout the day
  • Staying up-to-date with the latest news on COVID-19, released by the applicable state and national government agencies, and communicating this to staff and customers

Mandatory Notification Protocol for Staff

Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, or contacted by a Health Department/Public Health Unit and asked to self-isolate:

  • Must comply with medical & Health Department advice
  • Must advise their Manager IMMEDIATELY

Anyone who believes they have been in close contact (being face to face for at least 15-mins, or been in the same closed space for at least 2-hrs) with a confirmed COVID-19 positive person:

  • Must advise their Manager IMMEDIATELY
  • Must seek medical attention for consideration of testing for COVID-19
  • Must not attend work until cleared by a medical practitioner

If an employee suspects that they may be infected and are waiting on test results but cannot be isolated at home, they will need to contact a public health unit who will assess and advise on the next steps.

Anyone who is unwell and has *flu-like symptoms:

  • Must contact your Manager/Supervisor IMMEDIATELY
  • Must seek medical attention for consideration of testing for COVID-19
  • Provide a medical note for return to work

* flu-like symptoms: People with coronavirus may experience:

  • Fever
  • Flu like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
  • Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
  • loss of smell and loss of taste