Vaccination Assessment Tool
The government has made a vaccination assessment tool available through the regulations under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020.
This tool will provide a clear, legal framework to help businesses make decisions about vaccinations in the workplace. It will be optional for businesses to use the tool. The tool will not override any risk assessments that have already been done.
The tool is likely to include the following four factors, though further testing and refinement will happen over the next few weeks.
| Factor | Lower risk | Higher risk |
| What type of environment does the worker work with? | 100m2 indoor space or greater, or outside | Less than 100m2 indoor space |
| How close does the person work to other people? | At least 1 metre apart | Less than 1 metre apart |
| How long is the worker in proximity to other people? | 15 minutes or less | More than 15 minutes |
| Does the worker provide services to people who are vulnerable to COVID-19? | No | Yes |
- At least three of the higher-risk indicators for these factors will need to be met before it would be reasonable to require vaccination for particular work.
- It will be optional for businesses to use the tool. They will still be able to use other health and safety risk assessment processes. The tool will not override any risk assessments that have already been done. WorkSafe has provided guidance on how these decisions can be made.
- In the tool, the factor relating to ‘vulnerable people’ is defined as people who are:
- under the minimum age to be vaccinated;
- medically exempt from being vaccinated; or
- at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
The Unite Against COVID-19 website has a section that sets out who is at higher risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19 and the definition of vulnerable people is based on this definition.
How to decide what work requires a vaccinated employee — Worksafe
People at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 — Unite Against COVID-19