Qantas makes Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for all staff

Qantas has announced all employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 if they wish to keep their job with the airline.

Australian airline Qantas has announced it will be making Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for all employees if they wish to keep their job with the airline.

On Wednesday, Australia’s largest airline said its mandate will come into effect from mid-November.

The airline said in a statement that frontline staff — such as cabin crew, pilots and airport workers — will be required to be fully vaccinated by November 15, while all remaining employees will need the jab by the end of March 2022.

Frontline Qantas employees will be required to be fully vaccinated by mid-November. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jono Searle

It is understood there will be certain exemptions for those who are unable to be vaccinated for documented medical reasons, which is expected to be very rare.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the airline’s new vaccination policy will provide a “safeguard” for employees “but also protect our customers and the communities we fly to”.

“One crew member can fly into multiple cities and come into contact with thousands of people in a single day,” Mr Joyce said in a statement.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce announced all employees will need the vaccination to work for the airline. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“Making sure they are vaccinated given the potential of this virus to spread is so important and I think it’s the kind of safety leadership people would expect from us.

“It’s clear that vaccinations are the only way to end the cycle of lockdowns and border closures and for a lot of Qantas and Jetstar employees that means getting back to work again.”

Qantas Group conducted a survey with all staff – including those working for Jetstar – to seek their views on vaccination.

From the 12,000 responses, the airline said 89 per cent of employees had already been vaccinated or at least planned to book in for the jab.

Qantas employees will be required to get the jab if they wish to keep their job with the airline. Picture – Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian

Only 4 per cent were unwilling or medically “unable” to be vaccinated.

“This was one of the largest responses to any survey we’ve conducted, even with thousands of our people stood down, which shows just how important this is for them.” Mr Joyce said.

“Since vaccines became available, we’ve strongly encouraged all of our people to get the jab and are offering paid time off to get it done. We were really pleased to see from the survey that more than three quarters of those who responded have already rolled up their sleeve at least once and 60 per cent have had both jabs.

“Many of our people said they would feel concerned about working with unvaccinated colleagues, which is something that many workplaces across the country are grappling with.

“We understand there will be a very small number of people who decide not to get the vaccine, and that’s their right, but it’s our responsibility to provide the safest possible environment for our employees and for our customers.”