NSW schools: Education Department proposes to lift staff Covid vaccine mandate for term three

Unvaccinated teachers who lost their jobs to the Covid mandate will be able to reapply for work in term three, under a proposal from the Department of Education.

The Covid-19 vaccine mandate could be lifted for staff at most NSW schools as soon as next month, under a proposal to return at least 1000 teachers to classrooms.

The plan from the Department of Education would allow unvaccinated teachers and other staff to return to work, except at schools for students with additional physical and intellectual needs.

NSW Department of Education secretary, Georgina Harrisson, said 965 unvaccinated casual staff would be able to resume work, while permanent teachers who were terminated because of the mandate could reapply for their jobs.

Under the plan almost 1000 casual staff will be able to resume work while dismissed permanent staff can reapply for positions.

“We undertook an independent review of our Covid work, health and safety settings,” Ms Harrisson said.

“We have taken the time that was needed in coming to this position to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students would not be compromised.”

Under the proposal, from the beginning of term three on July 18, schools would be able to re-engage unvaccinated or unattested active casual staff on a temporary or casual basis, unvaccinated staff who resigned or were dismissed could reapply for advertised positions, and unvaccinated corporate staff could return to offices.

Staff at additional needs schools, support units and assisted travel support officers and their drivers would still need to be fully vaccinated, including a third booster dose.

Some Covid measures including rapid antigen tests and increased cleaning will remain in place.

People rally against Covid vaccine mandates in Sydney in November last year. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Ms Harrisson said even with the return of unvaccinated staff, a 30 per cent increase in sick days due to Covid and the flu meant teacher shortages would remain.

“In the first six months of this year there were 430,351 teacher sick days recorded, up 145,491 compared to the same period in 2019 pre-pandemic, and up 100,324 compared to the same period last year,” she said.

The department on Friday began putting the proposal to stakeholders including the NSW Teachers Federation.

Loreto College grade 3 students Mina and Collette on June 20th, 2022, in Marryatville. Picture: Tom Huntley

Senior vice president Amber Flohm said the union would review the department’s report and consult with members before taking a position.

“The department must ensure our most vulnerable students and staff are protected,” Ms Flohm said.

“This risk assessment was conducted at a particular point in time and things can change very rapidly, particularly considering the advice from health officials of an increase in cases over the next few weeks.

“This proposal has only just been announced and with the absence of any real information, it’s difficult for us to assess right now.”

Shadow Education spokeswoman Prue Car said Labor supported any decision based on official health advice.

“It’s good to see these independent risk assessments concluded and this update announced,” Ms Car said.

A decision on the plan is expected within two weeks.

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Originally published as NSW schools: Education Department proposes to lift staff Covid vaccine mandate for term three