Queensland Government mandates teachers, education staff to be vaccinated by 2022

The Queensland Teachers’ Union says some Sunshine Coast schools might not be ready for the start of 2022 after government orders vaccination mandate for education staff.

Sunshine Coast teachers now have a looming mandate to get vaccinated before returning to school in 2022 causing the Queensland Teachers’ Union to raise concerns about whether staff will be ready to welcome back students in time.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Tuesday announced that all private and public school staff must have received at least one dose of a vaccine by December 17 and be fully vaccinated by January 23.

The mandate includes administrators, groundskeepers, contractors, volunteers, childcare educators, including family daycare, and after-school care workers.

It would not include parents who need to come on to school grounds.

There are more than 100 primary and secondary schools in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, and more than 160 preschools.

Union president Cresta Richardson said it was unknown how many of its 48,000 members were vaccinated but it would work with the state government to ensure teachers’ jobs are protected.

Queensland Teachers' Union president Cresta Richardson

Ms Richardson said it was important schools had the resources to cover any teacher shortages that might occur in the new school year, which is set to begin on January 24.

“We continue to work with the department to ensure this is a centralised process so there is less pressure on our schools,” she said.

“No school operates without the teamwork and careful forward planning between school leaders, teachers, and school communities.

“We need to ensure our schools are resourced and not burdened with extra compliance measures without appropriate support measures provided.”

Education Minister Grace Grace said the government expected Queensland teachers to follow other state’s leads by getting vaccinated.

“In other states with mandates, we have seen the rates among teachers above 99 per cent, and I am confident Queensland education staff will do the right thing and get vaccinated,” she said.

“We have always taken a measured and cautious approach throughout the pandemic, and we will continue to do so.”

Education Minister Grace Grace pictured at Queensland parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josh Wonning

Ms Richardson said union members continued to do their part to follow health directives but “compassion and common sense” would be required in the months to come.

“We know there is diversity among our membership, but we also know our members have done their part and are highly represented in Queensland’s vaccination rates,” she said.

“Again, doing their part for the community to end this pandemic.

“However, with such a volume of membership we understand there will be unique cases that require individual attention.”

A Queensland Health spokeswoman confirmed the government did not have current data on how many teachers and education staff were currently vaccinated, as employment status was not required to be collected prior to the mandate being announced.

There are approximately 60,000 teachers statewide working in public schools.

Ms Grace said the government will continue to assess whether further vaccine mandates in schools would be necessary.

Queensland teachers must be fully vaccinated before 2022 school year starts.

“This health directive applies to staff, volunteers, and those who are at the school or centre to work or deliver a service,” she said.

“If parents are volunteering in the school or centre, they will be subject to the mandate.

“It doesn’t apply to parents and carers who are visiting the school.

“If the health advice changes around parents and carers visiting schools, then we will respond.”

Ms Richardson said the union will continue to support health directions, including vaccination mandates for its members.

“It’s a timely reminder of the challenges and specific risks teachers are subjected to that are completely unique to the profession,” she said.

“By mandating all school and TAFE staff to be vaccinated, the chief health officer has issued a directive drawn from the science. As we have done through the pandemic, the union will act appropriately in accordance with this direction.”