Worker Permit Scheme in place for Melbourne Workplaces

With stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions now in place, the Victorian Government has announced a Worker Permit Scheme for those employees required to attend the workplace.

From 11:59pm on Wednesday, 5 August 2020 all Melbourne workplaces must be closed unless:

• the workplace is part of a permitted activity, or
• all employees are working from home.

Firstly, if Melbourne employers need their employees to attend the workplace, they must ensure they fall into the eligible category to allow this to take place. The following are the criteria that must be met by the employer:

• the organisation is on the list of permitted activities
• the employee is working in an approved category for on-site work, and
• the employee cannot work from home

Secondly, the employer now has a requirement to issue a worker permit to all employees they require to attend at the workplace. The worker permit must be carried by the employee and may result in on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 (for individuals) and $9,913 (for businesses) for anyone who breaches the scheme.

In order to issue a worker permit, the document must be signed by both the employer and employee and will need:

• name, ABN, company address and trading name
• the name and date of birth of the employee
• the employee’s regular hours and place of work
• to meet all eligibility criteria, including that the business is a permitted activity
• to meet all relevant legal obligations
• to have a COVID-19 safe plan in place
• to authorise a person or people to issue the worker permit

For templates and further information provided by the Victorian Government, please click here

If you would like to know more about the Worker Permit Scheme required for Melbourne workplaces, please contact us and a Mapien Workplace Strategist will be in contact within 24 hours.