COVIDSafe Measures Policy in place


After consulting with our people on additional COVIDSafe measures to safeguard us from the adverse effects of COVID-19, a decision has been made to introduce vaccination for all roles at Transport.

From Monday 7 February 2022, all Transport people must be compliant with Transport’s COVIDSafe Measures Policy - including those currently on leave. It's important to note that there will be no immediate impacts to workers who are not compliant, however any current arrangements will remain the same (e.g., workers on leave or have an approved/pending exemption and are working with appropriate controls). Instead, we are continuing to engage with affected people, and discuss what this may mean in their individual circumstances. We continue to encourage all of our people wherever possible to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Thank you to all who’ve completed the vaccination declaration form. Your support throughout this initiative has been overwhelming. By getting vaccinated you’re not only supporting our COVIDSafe Measures Policy, but helping to protect the NSW community.

View the COVIDSafe additional measures determination pack for details on feedback, outcomes of consultation and next steps and the finalised Transport COVIDSafe Measures Policy, which outlines the roles these measures apply to.

In addition to this, Health Surveillance testing is being investigated as a high priority for all Category 1.

Remember, some of your colleagues may be working with an approved medical exemption and operating under tailored control measures to ensure their personal safety and the safety of our community.

It’s important that everyone across Transport recognises that additional controls do not mean non-compliance with the Policy. We all hold responsibility for our own personal safety in the workplace, and everyone is encouraged to make their own decisions on what measures to implement. This could include choosing to wear a mask indoors or taking extra precautions around physical distancing in our workplaces where possible.

Please remember everyone at Transport has access to free, confidential counselling and support via our Employee Assistance Program.

Frequently asked questions

Our COVIDSafe Measures FAQs are updated weekly to reflect key questions asked by workers and updates to the implementation framework.

FAQs provide details on what you need to know and do for the COVIDSafe Measures Policy, where to find support, what the mandatory vaccination means for you, the process on medical exemptions, process for new starters, labour hire, professional services contractors and consultants, hybrid working and more.

Exemptions

As we have now passed the 6 December deadline for workers to submit an exemption request under the COVIDSafe Measures Policy, exemptions will now be closed to all workers from 5pm Wednesday 22nd December, with the exception of:

  • new hires (pre-employment and/or with a start date since 6 December 2021)
  • any workers who had an initial vaccination and experienced a subsequent adverse reaction or have contracted COVID-19 (post 6 December 2021)
  • workers who were not able to submit a vaccination declaration/exemption form due to being on leave or on secondment outside of Transport, who have returned to a Transport role after 6 December 2021
  • change of circumstances for those with an approved exemption in place
  • partially vaccinated worker, who have a second vaccination booking post the 7 February (within ATAGI guidelines).

Exemptions received from any non-compliant Transport workers will only be accepted where additional considerations not included within an initial exemption request are provided along with appropriate supporting information.

If you are awaiting an outcome on your exemption request or have a question about the exemption request process, please speak with your People & Culture Business Partner, or relevant contact in your organisation.

Exemptions Appeals Process

If you have submitted an exemption request which has been declined and you are not yet compliant with the COVIDSafe Measures policy, you will have the opportunity to submit an appeal through the exemption appeals process. This review process is open to all Award, Senior Service and EA covered employees.

An email notification has been sent to each eligible employee to advise them of the process.

If you have a question about the exemption appeals process, please speak with your People & Culture Business Partner.

Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccination

The TGA has provisionally approved Nuvaxovid (Novavax) for use in Australia. Visit NSW Health for more information on the Novavax vaccine.

If you wish to receive this vaccination, we require you to submit a Novavax Preference form.

Once fully vaccinated (received 2 doses of the Novavax vaccine), submit a new Vaccination Declaration form and present your vaccination certificate to your manager to sight (managers only need to sight the vaccination certificate and are not required to hold a digital copy).

What you need to know and do

All Transport workers will need to comply with the requirements set out in the Transport COVIDSafe Measures Policy. Specifically, Transport workers will need to:

  • provide evidence of vaccination status before 6 December 2021; and

  • from 6 December 2021, have applied for an approved exemption from the requirement to be vaccinated, or have had at least one dose of the vaccination against COVID-19 and then be fully vaccinated in accordance with the recommended timeframe between vaccinations.

You will need have completed the COVID 19 Vaccination Declaration form to declare the status of your vaccination, which may be:

  • Fully vaccinated (two doses of a TGA provisionally approved vaccine).

  • One dose of vaccination and will be fully vaccinated in accordance with the recommended timeframe between vaccinations.

  • Submitted an exemption from the requirement to be vaccinated.

  • Have an appointment to get vaccinated.

  • Not getting vaccinated.

Once you submit this form, your leader will be notified of your vaccination status.

Paper forms are available for those who have limited access to digital devices.

You then need to provide evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status, following these steps:

  1. Download your COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement via the MyGov app. Find out how to do so here.

If you can’t access evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination online, you can ask your vaccination provider to print your immunisation history statement or COVID-19 digital certificate for you. Or, you can call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 and ask them to send your immunisation history statement to you. Note, this can take up to 14 days to arrive by mail.

  1. Show your COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement to your leader, which can be in person or over a MS Teams video call. The evidence only needs to be sighted and will not be stored by your manager.

This Policy applies to all Transport workers, including all permanent, temporary and casual staff, staff seconded from another organisation and contingent workers including labour hire, professional services contractors and consultants.

Partially vaccinated

Workers who have declared their first vaccination but not yet completed their second can continue to work (with appropriate controls) if they have an approved exemption. If a worker has made a booking for their second vaccination before 6 March 2022, they can submit an exemption request (including evidence of their booking). If a partially vaccinated worker does not have an approved exemption in place, they will be on leave or approved absence without pay.

Choosing not to comply

Employees that didn't complete the Vaccination Declaration before 6 December 2021 are not able to work and were instructed to take accrued annual leave, long service leave or unpaid leave until they are compliant with the Policy.

Health Surveillance testing

We are recommending health surveillance being investigated as a high priority for all Category 1. The recommendation was based on feedback received that supported the proposal.

We currently have several health surveillance testing pilots across a number of categories underway and continuing across Transport as identified in the proposal. These include:

  • A Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) pilot program across 16 sites.

  • An at-home trial of self test kits (RAT) has recently started – guidelines about at-home testing are becoming available so will now be considered as part of investigating health surveillance testing option.

Analysis and outcomes of these pilots are continuing to be assessed and these will inform the decision to implement Health Surveillance testing in identified categories.

Hybrid working

We’re committed to a hybrid working model at Transport, which gives us the flexibility to respond quickly to the changing needs and circumstances we face. We will continue to dial up and dial down our ability to work at home or in the office as we need to.

Additional COVIDSafe Measures

We encourage all workers to take action in safeguarding ourselves and each other against transmission of COVID-19.

Some simple measures we can all take include:

  • Practicing physical distancing wherever possible.
  • Regularly washing and sanitising your hands.
  • Always following Transport office COVIDSafe practices, and being sure to swipe into all workplace locations to assist with contact tracing if required. Please ensure you swipe your card at each entry and don’t tailgate.
  • Staying at home if you’re unwell, and continuing to work from home where practicable.
  • Getting tested and isolate until you receive a negative result if you have even the mildest symptoms. Find a clinic near you.

Further information and support is available via the TSS Service Centre online, or call on 133 TSS (133 877). Alternatively, you can visit our FAQs


After consulting with our people on additional COVIDSafe measures to safeguard us from the adverse effects of COVID-19, a decision has been made to introduce vaccination for all roles at Transport.

From Monday 7 February 2022, all Transport people must be compliant with Transport’s COVIDSafe Measures Policy - including those currently on leave. It's important to note that there will be no immediate impacts to workers who are not compliant, however any current arrangements will remain the same (e.g., workers on leave or have an approved/pending exemption and are working with appropriate controls). Instead, we are continuing to engage with affected people, and discuss what this may mean in their individual circumstances. We continue to encourage all of our people wherever possible to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Thank you to all who’ve completed the vaccination declaration form. Your support throughout this initiative has been overwhelming. By getting vaccinated you’re not only supporting our COVIDSafe Measures Policy, but helping to protect the NSW community.

View the COVIDSafe additional measures determination pack for details on feedback, outcomes of consultation and next steps and the finalised Transport COVIDSafe Measures Policy, which outlines the roles these measures apply to.

In addition to this, Health Surveillance testing is being investigated as a high priority for all Category 1.

Remember, some of your colleagues may be working with an approved medical exemption and operating under tailored control measures to ensure their personal safety and the safety of our community.

It’s important that everyone across Transport recognises that additional controls do not mean non-compliance with the Policy. We all hold responsibility for our own personal safety in the workplace, and everyone is encouraged to make their own decisions on what measures to implement. This could include choosing to wear a mask indoors or taking extra precautions around physical distancing in our workplaces where possible.

Please remember everyone at Transport has access to free, confidential counselling and support via our Employee Assistance Program.

Frequently asked questions

Our COVIDSafe Measures FAQs are updated weekly to reflect key questions asked by workers and updates to the implementation framework.

FAQs provide details on what you need to know and do for the COVIDSafe Measures Policy, where to find support, what the mandatory vaccination means for you, the process on medical exemptions, process for new starters, labour hire, professional services contractors and consultants, hybrid working and more.

Exemptions

As we have now passed the 6 December deadline for workers to submit an exemption request under the COVIDSafe Measures Policy, exemptions will now be closed to all workers from 5pm Wednesday 22nd December, with the exception of:

  • new hires (pre-employment and/or with a start date since 6 December 2021)
  • any workers who had an initial vaccination and experienced a subsequent adverse reaction or have contracted COVID-19 (post 6 December 2021)
  • workers who were not able to submit a vaccination declaration/exemption form due to being on leave or on secondment outside of Transport, who have returned to a Transport role after 6 December 2021
  • change of circumstances for those with an approved exemption in place
  • partially vaccinated worker, who have a second vaccination booking post the 7 February (within ATAGI guidelines).

Exemptions received from any non-compliant Transport workers will only be accepted where additional considerations not included within an initial exemption request are provided along with appropriate supporting information.

If you are awaiting an outcome on your exemption request or have a question about the exemption request process, please speak with your People & Culture Business Partner, or relevant contact in your organisation.

Exemptions Appeals Process

If you have submitted an exemption request which has been declined and you are not yet compliant with the COVIDSafe Measures policy, you will have the opportunity to submit an appeal through the exemption appeals process. This review process is open to all Award, Senior Service and EA covered employees.

An email notification has been sent to each eligible employee to advise them of the process.

If you have a question about the exemption appeals process, please speak with your People & Culture Business Partner.

Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccination

The TGA has provisionally approved Nuvaxovid (Novavax) for use in Australia. Visit NSW Health for more information on the Novavax vaccine.

If you wish to receive this vaccination, we require you to submit a Novavax Preference form.

Once fully vaccinated (received 2 doses of the Novavax vaccine), submit a new Vaccination Declaration form and present your vaccination certificate to your manager to sight (managers only need to sight the vaccination certificate and are not required to hold a digital copy).

What you need to know and do

All Transport workers will need to comply with the requirements set out in the Transport COVIDSafe Measures Policy. Specifically, Transport workers will need to:

  • provide evidence of vaccination status before 6 December 2021; and

  • from 6 December 2021, have applied for an approved exemption from the requirement to be vaccinated, or have had at least one dose of the vaccination against COVID-19 and then be fully vaccinated in accordance with the recommended timeframe between vaccinations.

You will need have completed the COVID 19 Vaccination Declaration form to declare the status of your vaccination, which may be:

  • Fully vaccinated (two doses of a TGA provisionally approved vaccine).

  • One dose of vaccination and will be fully vaccinated in accordance with the recommended timeframe between vaccinations.

  • Submitted an exemption from the requirement to be vaccinated.

  • Have an appointment to get vaccinated.

  • Not getting vaccinated.

Once you submit this form, your leader will be notified of your vaccination status.

Paper forms are available for those who have limited access to digital devices.

You then need to provide evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status, following these steps:

  1. Download your COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement via the MyGov app. Find out how to do so here.

If you can’t access evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination online, you can ask your vaccination provider to print your immunisation history statement or COVID-19 digital certificate for you. Or, you can call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 and ask them to send your immunisation history statement to you. Note, this can take up to 14 days to arrive by mail.

  1. Show your COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement to your leader, which can be in person or over a MS Teams video call. The evidence only needs to be sighted and will not be stored by your manager.

This Policy applies to all Transport workers, including all permanent, temporary and casual staff, staff seconded from another organisation and contingent workers including labour hire, professional services contractors and consultants.

Partially vaccinated

Workers who have declared their first vaccination but not yet completed their second can continue to work (with appropriate controls) if they have an approved exemption. If a worker has made a booking for their second vaccination before 6 March 2022, they can submit an exemption request (including evidence of their booking). If a partially vaccinated worker does not have an approved exemption in place, they will be on leave or approved absence without pay.

Choosing not to comply

Employees that didn't complete the Vaccination Declaration before 6 December 2021 are not able to work and were instructed to take accrued annual leave, long service leave or unpaid leave until they are compliant with the Policy.

Health Surveillance testing

We are recommending health surveillance being investigated as a high priority for all Category 1. The recommendation was based on feedback received that supported the proposal.

We currently have several health surveillance testing pilots across a number of categories underway and continuing across Transport as identified in the proposal. These include:

  • A Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) pilot program across 16 sites.

  • An at-home trial of self test kits (RAT) has recently started – guidelines about at-home testing are becoming available so will now be considered as part of investigating health surveillance testing option.

Analysis and outcomes of these pilots are continuing to be assessed and these will inform the decision to implement Health Surveillance testing in identified categories.

Hybrid working

We’re committed to a hybrid working model at Transport, which gives us the flexibility to respond quickly to the changing needs and circumstances we face. We will continue to dial up and dial down our ability to work at home or in the office as we need to.

Additional COVIDSafe Measures

We encourage all workers to take action in safeguarding ourselves and each other against transmission of COVID-19.

Some simple measures we can all take include:

  • Practicing physical distancing wherever possible.
  • Regularly washing and sanitising your hands.
  • Always following Transport office COVIDSafe practices, and being sure to swipe into all workplace locations to assist with contact tracing if required. Please ensure you swipe your card at each entry and don’t tailgate.
  • Staying at home if you’re unwell, and continuing to work from home where practicable.
  • Getting tested and isolate until you receive a negative result if you have even the mildest symptoms. Find a clinic near you.

Further information and support is available via the TSS Service Centre online, or call on 133 TSS (133 877). Alternatively, you can visit our FAQs

Page last updated: 02 May 2022, 09:52 AM