Western Australia to mandate Covid vaccines for one million workers

More than one million Australians in Western Australia face huge fines if they refuse to get the Covid vaccine in one of the nation’s toughest mandates.

More than one million Australians face the sack or an enormous $20,000 fine after the WA Premier announced a tough new vaccine mandate.

Mark McGowan revealed on Wednesday that critical and frontline workers must get the Covid vaccine and be fully immunised by the end of the year or the end of January next year – depending on what industry they work in.

Workers who fail to do so risk being out of pocket $20,000 and their employer could cop a $100,000 fine if they knowingly let them continue working while unvaccinated.

The tough measures would impact 75 per cent – about 1.1 million people – of the state’s workforce, stretching from teachers to the construction industry and retail staff.

“We know the threat is ever-present. So much about this virus is unpredictable,” Mr McGowan told reporters.

“It is proportionate and reasonable and is aimed at preparing Western Australia safely for the inevitable community transmission.”

Mark McGowan announced the tough measures on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tony McDonough

The compulsory vaccine rules will be rolled out across three groups.

Group one include industries where the risk of transmission is high like healthcare workers, airport employees, freight workers, corrective services staff, emergency services and those who work with vulnerable members of the community.

People in this group need to be fully vaccinated by the end of the year.

The second group includes employees at “critical businesses” like supermarkets, hospitality venues, childcare services, schools, banks, vets and construction.

They have until the end of January next year to get both jabs.

Employees in the third group are required to be vaccinated if their line of work involves leaving the home during lockdown.

This includes bottle-shop employees, newsagents an, those who work at retail stores like pet stores. It also included journalists, politicians, government workers and those who are employed in manufacturing.

More than 70 per cent of eligible WA residents have had one dose of COvid-19 vaccine. Picture: Tony McDonough / NCA NewsWire,

Employees would have to prove they are fully vaccinated and employers were required to keep a record because authorities “will run spot checks”, Mr McGowan said.

“We hope fines will never have to be issued,” he said.

Mr McGowan also urged West Australians not to delay getting vaccinated.

“The time is now,” Mr McGowan said.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that everyone who is eligible should get the Covid-19 vaccine now, as we all need to be prepared for the event of community transmission or a lockdown.

“Don’t wait for the deadly Delta variant to enter before you consider getting the vaccine. Get the Covid-19 vaccine now.”

Western Australia is lagging behind the rest of the nation in terms of vaccination rates.

While more than 70 per cent of eligible residents have had their first dose, the state isn’t expected to hit its 70 per cent double-dose target until mid-November.

A full breakdown on each group can be found here.

Originally published as Western Australia to mandate Covid vaccines for one million workers