Covid leave boost for Queensland’s health workers

Queensland Health and Ambulance workers forced to dip into their sick leave while battling Covid will get their days returned, under a new paid pandemic leave scheme.

Queensland health workers who were forced to dip into their sick leave while battling Covid will get their days returned, with the state government announcing a new paid pandemic leave scheme.

Under the policy Queensland Health and Queensland Ambulance Service staff will be able to access up to 20 days’ paid pandemic leave.

In a boost for workers, the policy will be applied retrospectively meaning any worker who used sick leave due to Covid since December last year will have their days off credited.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the special leave arrangements were changed to health workers – more at risk of being exposed to the virus than the general public – were not unduly impacted.

“It’s important they are supported with appropriate policies. Under current arrangements, staff must use their sick leave before accessing pandemic leave,” she said.

“We are changing that so they can access their pandemic leave as soon as they test positive to Covid.”

Ms D’Ath said the paid pandemic leave would also apply to health and ambulance employees to need leave to care for family or household members with Covid, “in recognition of the sacrifices they have made”.

“Queensland Health and QAS have led our pandemic response over the past two and a half years and the staff of both organisations have done an amazing job of protecting Queenslanders,” she said.

Originally published as Covid leave boost for Queensland’s health workers