COVID-19 Resources

Update as of Friday 24 June 2022:

We can now confirm mandatory vaccination has been removed for our industry.

From 11:59pm tonight, 24 June 2022, a person is no longer required to be fully vaccinated to enter and remain on a construction site.

General workers, including office-based and off-site workers, are also no longer required to be fully vaccinated to work outside their usual place of residence.

In line with the easing of mandatory vaccination requirements, site operators and employers will no longer need to collect and retain information about a worker’s vaccination status.

While the Government has moved towards sensible COVID-19 settings for winter, vaccination requirements for some industries working with vulnerable people remain. Mandatory vaccination requirements still apply for workers in residential aged care, disability, health care, and emergency services.

Click here to view the new Pandemic (Workplace) Order 2022 (No. 9).

You can now have unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated, workers return to work in many cases.

We acknowledge that COVID-19 still poses risks to health and safety in the workplace. While there is no requirement to have a mandatory vaccination policy at the workplace level, some businesses may wish to implement one.

To do so, you will need to meet certain industrial and OH&S obligations, such as undertaking an assessment of risk and consulting with your workforce.

As part of this process, you will likely be required to:

Provide information to workers about the proposed mandatory vaccination requirement both verbally and in writing
Allow workers to express their views about it
Involve any health and safety representatives or safety committees
Consider the views brought forward in making any decision
Advise any employees involved in consultation about the outcome

A failure to undertake these steps may mean that the policy is unreasonable and not enforceable.

If you are considering having an organisation-specific mandatory vaccination policy, we recommend that you contact us on (03) 9411 4555.

Update as of Saturday 18 June 2022:

The government announced this morning that as of next Friday at 11.59 pm 24 June, government-imposed vaccination mandates will be changed. Vaccination policies will still be the responsibility of individual workplaces, in line with other jurisdictions around Australia.
MBV will continue to work with the government and WorkSafe about what this means for members.

Overview of changes

Masks must still be worn on public transport, taxis, ride shares, and planes, but will no longer be required at airports.
Positive COVID-19 cases must still isolate for seven days from the day they took their test, but may leave home to drive a household member to or from education or work without leaving their vehicle. They can also leave home to get medical care, a COVID-19 test, or in an emergency.
Third dose mandates in education, food distribution, meat and seafood processing and quarantine accommodation sectors will be lifted. Rules requiring general workers to work from home, unless they are double-vaccinated are lifted. Employers may still be able to set their own workplace conditions. Masks are still required in sensitive settings such as hospitals and care facilities.
Workers who interact with a vulnerable person will still require three COVID-19 vaccine doses (residential aged care and disability care, healthcare, and custodial and emergency services, including police).
It is still strongly recommended to wear masks in an indoor setting, particularly where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

To view the Victorian Government's latest media release, click here.

Construction Vaccine Hub
Click here to learn about more.

Visit Construction sector guidance webpage for further information:
Click here for the latest information from the Victorian Government for the Construction Industry.

COVIDSafe Plan:
Click here for a copy of the COVIDSafe Plan for the building and construction industry.

COVIDSafe Settings:
How we live information for Victorians - click here.

Public Health Orders issued by Minister for Health:
Click here to view.

COVID-19 Government support and payments:
Funding and support payments may be available for those who are unable to work due to COVID-19.
Click here to see if you are eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment – Victoria
Click here to see if you are eligible for the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.

Infection control for the building and construction industry – Free Online workshop:
Based on the COVID-19 Guidelines for the Building and Construction Industry Victoria, Master Builders Victoria has developed a non-accredited, e-learning training program on infection control. This engaging two-hour online program is contextualised for those working in the building and construction industry.
Click here to learn more and to complete the online workshop.

Click here to view Ten ways to reduce your risk of coronavirus poster

Culturally and linguistically diverse posters:
Leadership organisations in Victoria’s building, development and construction industry have collaborated on COVIDSafe communication materials tailored to reach the industry’s culturally and linguistically diverse people.
Click here to access resources developed in 16 different languages.

Please view below our COVID-19 resources. Members who need further advice or assistance, please call us on (03) 9411 4555 or email [email protected].