COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease)

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China. All coronaviruses are from a family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. Such infections can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.

COVID-19 can spread from person to person, but good hygiene and social distancing can prevent infection.

Do I have to pay my ambulance fee if I went to hospital because of COVID-19?

No. Anyone who receives an invoice from NSW Ambulance for a COVID-19 related illness, or COVID-19 vaccine related injury, will not have to pay it. 

If you have received an invoice, you can apply for an exemption by phone or online. 

For more information, see Exemptions from NSW Ambulance Fees on the NSW Ambulance website.

Who can I call if I have a question about COVID-19?

There are a number of services that can assist in relation to COVID-19 related questions. These include:

• National Coronavirus Helpline, a national-based service for health related COVID-19 enquires, for example, COVID-19 symptom guidelines, details about COVID-19 disease and how to minimise the spread of COVID-19
• Service NSW, for all non-health related COVID-19 enquires, for example, general information about social distancing, relief packages for food and personal care, counselling and support. For more information, see Supporting NSW during COVID-19 on the Service NSW website
• Centrelink, for financial assistance for people affected by COVID-19. For more information, see Payments and services during coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Australian Government Services Australia website
  
• Legal Aid NSW and LawAccess NSW, for legal related COVID-19 enquires, for example, legal questions about civil, family and crime matters, quarantine laws, fines and court processes.

What is the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Australian Government has entered into agreements for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines which include:

• Pfizer
  
• AstraZeneca
  
• Novavax
  
• Moderna.
  

For more information, see Our COVID-19 vaccines on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

How many doses will I need?

The Pfizer primary vaccine is provided in two doses, eight weeks apart but can be reduced to three weeks apart.

The Moderna primary vaccine is provided in two doses, eight weeks apart but can be reduced to four weeks apart.

The Novovax primary vaccine is provided in two doses, eight weeks apart but can be reduced to three weeks apart.

The AstraZeneca vaccine was provided in two doses, four to twelve weeks apart.

Booster doses are now available to anyone aged 18 and over if you have had your last vaccine at least six months ago.

Who is recommended to have a booster vaccine dose? 

If your last COVID-19 vaccine dose, or confirmed infection was 6 months ago or more, you may be recommended to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose booster if you are: 

• 65 years or older
• 18 to 64 years and are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or have a disability with significant or complex health needs.

You should consider a booster dose, in discussion with your doctor or vaccination provider, if you are: 

• 18 to 64 years
• 5 to 17 years and at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or have a disability with significant or complex health needs.

A booster dose is not currently recommended for children and adolescents aged under 18 years who are not at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Booster doses are not recommended for children aged under 5 years at this time.

For more information, see Booster vaccination on the NSW Government website.

Do I have to be an Australian resident or citizen to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

No, the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to everyone in Australia regardless of your citizenship or visa status.

If you don’t have a Medicare card, or are not eligible for Medicare, you can get your free vaccination at:

• a Commonwealth vaccination clinic
• a state or territory vaccination clinic.

Do I have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine?

No, the COVID-19 vaccine is free.

Do I have to have the COVID-19 vaccine?

Some employers or operators of some services may require vaccination. 

If you are not vaccinated, this does not currently affect your family’s eligibility for Family Tax Benefit Part A or childcare fee assistance.

How can I get a copy of my vaccination record?

If you need or would like a copy of your vaccination record, you can get it through:

• your Medicare online account
• the Express Plus Medicare app
• the Australian Immunisation Register
• My Health Record.

You can also ask your doctor or immunisation provider for a copy.

For more information and instructions on how to get a copy, see factsheet How to get a record of your COVID-19 vaccination by NSW Health.

Can I link my vaccination certificate to my Service NSW account?

Yes, you can integrate your vaccination certificate to your Service NSW account. This means that when you check in, your vaccination status will also be displayed.

To integrate, you will need to:

• make sure your MyGov account is linked to Medicare
• download the Express Plus Medicare app and sign in with your MyGov account details
• select ‘Proof of vaccinations’
• select ‘View history’
• select ‘Share with check in app’ and then ‘Service NSW’.

Integrating your vaccination certificate with Service NSW is voluntary.

What happens if I have a negative reaction to the vaccine?

If you have a negative reaction to the vaccine, you should get medical advice immediately. 

If you suffer an injury or loss of income as a result of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, you may be able to make a claim under the COVID-19 No Fault Vaccine Claim Scheme.

The scheme has been developed by the Australian Government and is available to people who have experienced harm as a result of a COVID-19 vaccine or its administration.

What can you claim under the COVID-19 No Fault Vaccine Claim Scheme?

You can claim for:

• lost earnings
• out of pocket expenses
• paid attendant care services
• gratuitous attendant care
• loss of capacity to provide domestic services
• pain and suffering costs
• deceased COVID-19 vaccine recipient payments and funeral costs.

You will need to get your doctor to complete a report before claiming.

For more information about the scheme, see COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme on the Services Australia website.

You may have other legal options for compensation. If you have suffered a vaccine injury, you should get legal advice.

Do I have to self-isolate or COVID-19 test when entering NSW from overseas?

Self-isolation and COVID-19 testing upon arrival is no longer required for any travellers.

NSW Health recommends monitoring closely for symptoms after arrival.

For more information about arriving in NSW from overseas, see COVID-19 information for international arrivals on the NSW government website.

When should I self-isolate?

Self-isolation is no longer mandatory. If you are sick or have tested positive to COVID-19, NSW Health strongly recommends staying home until your symptoms have gone.

For more information, see:

• Testing for COVID-19 on the NSW government website
• Advice for people exposed to COVID-19 on the NSW government website.
  

Do I have to tell anyone if I have COVID-19?

The law no longer requires you to tell anyone if you have tested positive for COVID-19. Your employer or education provider may have a policy that requires you to notify them. You should check with your employer or education provider if you are unsure whether you are required to notify them if you have COVID-19.

You are no longer legally required to report a Rapid Antigen Test with Service NSW.

NSW Health recommends that you register your result to help:

• you to get medical support if you need it, including antiviral medicines
• NSW Health to respond to COVID-19.

For more information, see Register a positive rapid antigen test result on the NSW government website.

What are quarantine fees?

If you were an international traveller arriving in NSW during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have been required to stay in mandatory quarantine.

The NSW government introduced a requirement for travellers to pay the fees for this accommodation. The fees were:

• $3,000 for one adult
• $1,000 for each additional adult
• $500 for each child under the age of 18
• no additional cost for children under 3.

From 21 February 2022, when the time of quarantine changed from 14 days to 7 days, the fees were reduced:

• $1,500 for one adult
• $500 for each additional adult
• $250 for each child under 18
• no additional cost for children under 3.

Do I have to pay the quarantine fees?

For international travellers, you won’t have to pay a quarantine fee if you:

• bought a one-way or return flight to NSW before 11:59pm on 12 July 2020
• arrived in NSW before 12:01am on 18 July 2020
• travelled directly from New Zealand to NSW after 16 October 2020 (unless you were in a New Zealand COVID-19 hotspot)
• arrived after 1 November 2021 and didn’t have to enter quarantine.

For domestic travellers from Victoria, you won’t have to pay a quarantine fee if you:

• bought your ticket to NSW before 5:00pm on 5 August 2020
• landed in NSW before 12:01am on 7 August 2020
• entered NSW after 12:01am on 23 November 2020
• are a NSW resident returning from Victoria between 12:01am on 7 August 2020 and 12:01am on 11 September 2020.

For anyone in transit to another state or territory:

• if you were in NSW for less than 48 hours.

For more information, see Quarantine fees on the Revenue NSW website.

How can the government charge me a quarantine fee?

Quarantine fees are not fines. The law allows the NSW Minister for Health to prescribe fees that apply for health services, including quarantine fees.  

Quarantine fees are a type of ‘referrable debt’. If you are required to pay a quarantine fee, you will be sent an invoice. If you don’t pay, a debt recovery order can be made. This allows Revenue NSW to take steps to recover the money from you.

What are my options for dealing with the fee?

If you have received a quarantine fee, you can:

• request an extension of 14 days to pay the fee
• request a payment plan. Make sure you request this before the due date of the fee to avoid extra costs for an overdue fee. For more information, see Difficulty paying your fee on the Revenue NSW website.
• ask for a waiver (cancellation) of fees if you are exempt because of your dates of travel. To apply, see Application for waiver of quarantine fees on the Revenue NSW website
• request a review of the decision
• request the fee be cancelled or reduced if you have significant hardship because of your medical, financial or personal circumstances
• take the fee to court.

A Work and Development Order is not available for quarantine fees.

For more information, see Difficulty paying your fee on the Revenue NSW website.

How do I apply for a review of my quarantine fee?

If you want to apply for a review, you can apply in writing to Revenue NSW by the due date on the debt notice or the debt recovery order. You may also need to provide supporting documentation to support your application.

Revenue NSW may take some time to consider your request. 

Revenue NSW may decide to:

• confirm that you still owe the amount – this means you will have to pay it or consider other options, or
• cancel the debt notice or debt recovery order – this means you won’t have to pay the quarantine fee.

If you apply for a review and Revenue NSW confirms that you still owe the quarantine fee, you can:

• pay the amount owed in full by the due date
• apply for a payment plan
• ask for the matter to be decided by the Local Court.

If you quarantined in a designated accommodation facility you are liable for paying the quarantine fee, unless you are eligible for a fee waiver.

Before deciding to dispute the quarantine fee, you should get legal advice.

How do I make an application to have the fee cancelled or reduced because of financial hardship?

If you are experiencing significant hardship because of your medical, financial or personal circumstances, you can apply to have your fee waived (cancelled) or reduced.

Revenue NSW can agree to your request if they believe that because of your circumstances:

• you don’t have the money to pay the debt and aren’t likely to be able to pay the debt
• action to recover the debt hasn’t been successful and is unlikely to be successful.

You can apply by writing to Revenue via quarantinefee@revenue.nsw.gov.au. You should include relevant evidence with your application.

How do I have my quarantine fee matter decided in court?

If you have debt notice or debt recovery notice for quarantine fees, you can choose to have the Court make a decision. You can do this by notifying Revenue NSW in writing by the due date on the debt notice or debt recovery order.

Revenue NSW will then serve you with a Statement of Claim. A Statement of Claim is a court document that is used by a creditor to start legal action to recover a debt owed to them.

To dispute the claim, you need to file a Defence within 28 days of being served with the Statement of Claim. You must file the Defence at the same court as where the Statement of Claim was filed.

If you quarantined in a designated accommodation facility you are liable for paying the quarantine fee, unless you are eligible for an exemption.

If you go to court and the Court determines that you are liable, the Commissioner is entitled to have you pay their legal costs, in addition to the amount of the quarantine fee.

Before deciding to dispute the quarantine fee, you should get legal advice.

What happens if I do nothing?

If you do nothing, Revenue NSW can take steps to recover the money. These steps include:

• sending you a debt notice
• garnishing (taking money from) your bank account to pay the fee
• garnishing (taking money from) your wages to pay the fee. Your employer will take money from your wages to pay back the debt
• getting a property seizure order. This means that Sheriffs can come to your home or work and take items you own to sell to cover the debt you owe
• giving you a Notice to Provide Information. This means you are required to provide information, records or evidence that will allow Revenue NSW to work out how they can recover the money from you. If you don’t complete the Notice, you could get a fine
• putting a charge on your land – a legal document that allows Revenue to register an interest in your property and stops you from being allowed to sell your property until you pay the fee.

If you don’t pay the fee by the due date, an overdue fee of $65.00 will be added. Extra costs will be added other actions listed above that are taken to recover the money from you.

Money has been taken out of my bank account to pay my quarantine fees, but I need the money back to pay for essentials. What can I do?

Revenue NSW can take money from your bank account if you owe a debt. This is called ‘garnishing’ your bank account. If money was taken from your account and you really need it back, you can apply to have some or all of the money refunded to you.

Money may be refunded if:

• you need the money because of your medical circumstances
• your health and safety (or someone else’s) would be put at risk if the money wasn’t refunded
• you are facing financial hardship as a result of the garnishee order
• you are vulnerable and a failure to refund the money would be harsh or unreasonable.

If you ask for a refund, you may need to provide evidence about your circumstances. If Revenue NSW decides to refund some or all of the money, they will decide the amount in negotiation with you.

To apply, send an email requesting a refund to: quarantinefee@revenue.nsw.gov.au and include:

• a completed Statement of Financial Circumstances
• supporting evidence, for example, bank accounts or payslips.

If some or all of the money is refunded, it doesn’t mean the debt goes away. You will still owe this money and will have to pay it at a later stage.

When can I do a Rapid Antigen Test?

You can use a Rapid Antigen Test if you:

• have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if only mild 
• are a household, social, workplace or education contact of a positive case
  
• are doing pre-event testing, such as before visiting vulnerable family members
• are a worker, resident, patient, or client in a high-risk setting where there is a current confirmed outbreak
• are going to hospital for a procedure and have been requested to test by the hospital.
  

In some cases, Rapid Antigen Tests can't replace a COVID-19 PCR test. If you are not sure which test you need to take, you should contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.

What do I do if I get a Positive Rapid Antigen Test?

If you return a positive Rapid Antigen Test, NSW Health recommends that you:

• isolate until you have no symptoms
• register your positive test result with Service NSW.

This is a recommendation only and not a legal requirement.

Can I be fined if I don’t report a positive Rapid Antigen Test?

It is no longer an offence if you don't report a positive Rapid Antigen Test.

When do I need to have a rapid antigen test confirmed by a COVID-19 PCR test?

Most people can now use a Rapid Antigen Test result to confirm they are positive for COVID-19.

People who are at higher risk of severe illness should get a PCR test, including:

• people 60 years old or older
  
• pregnant women
  
• Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people (over the age of 35)
  
• people with obesity, diabetes, serious cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease (including severe asthma requiring hospitalisation in the last 12 months) severe chronic liver or kidney disease, active cancer or who are immunocompromised
  
• some people with a disability including those with a disability that affects their lungs, heart or immune system
  
• residents of aged care and disability care facilities
  
• unvaccinated people aged 18 years and older.
  

For more information, see Getting tested for COVID-19 on the NSW Health website.

Do I have to wear a face mask?

It is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face mask in NSW. Some premises may choose to require face masks be worn by people entering the premises.

Do I have to wear a face mask at a hospital or aged care facility?

NSW Health provides tailored advice for the wearing of masks to aged care facilities and other health settings such as hospitals, specific to the location. 

Before you go, find out the current arrangements in place for any facility you plan to visit. 

I have been refused entry to a business because I did not wear a face mask. I am exempt from wearing a face mask. Can they do this?

Masks are not required by NSW law, but businesses or premises may still require masks to be worn as a condition of entry.

Businesses may refuse entry to customers who do not comply with the conditions of entry. 

If you are refused entry, you can consider whether you can make a complaint to NSW Fair Trading or Anti-Discrimination NSW if you believe you were discriminated against on the basis of a disability.

Do I have to provide proof to my employer of why I do not have to wear a face mask?

Face masks are not required by law, but in some circumstances your employer may be able to direct you to wear a mask. If your employer directs you to wear a face mask and you don't want to, you should get legal advice.

Can I visit someone in an aged care facility?

NSW Health recommends that aged care facilities ask visitors if they have:

• taken a Rapid Antigen Test that day (visitors providing essential care and entering on a regular basis can do less frequent testing. It is recommended a minimum of twice weekly RAT tests are taken)
• been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19
• any symptoms of COVID-19 (unless those symptoms are from a known health condition or medication).

It is strongly recommended that visitors don't enter an aged care facility if they have:

• tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven days
• been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19
• any symptoms of COVID-19.

NSW Health strongly encourages visitors to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu. It is up to each aged care facility to decide their own COVID-19 policies.

Before you visit an aged care facility, you should contact them directly to find out the current arrangements in place for that facility. 

For more information, see the Advice to residential aged care facilities on the NSW Health website.

Am I required to have a flu vaccine to visit someone in an aged care facility?

It is strongly recommended that you have the flu vaccine before visiting an aged care facility.

What can I do if I can't comply with my Parenting Order because of COVID-19?

If you are unable to comply with your Parenting Order because of COVID-19 (for example, there are safety concerns for the child because you or the other parent have been exposed to COVID-19), this may restrict the safe movement of your child from one house to another.

In these circumstances you should do the following:

• communicate with the other parent, if it is safe to do so, about the ability to follow the orders and attempt to find a practical solution. You should put any new agreement in writing (for example, text message or email) and develop consent orders to outline new or varied Parenting Orders
• contact the Family Relationship Advice Line or your lawyer for assistance 
• approach the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia electronically and seek a variation of the orders, if you are unable to agree to vary the arrangement, or it is unsafe to do so
  
• approach the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to file a matter electronically in the National COVID-19 List if your dispute is urgent and has arisen due to COVID-19.
  

If you are not impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions, you must follow your Parenting Orders. Any non-compliance can have serious consequences.

For more information, see the Parenting topic.

For more information about the National COVID-19 List, see National COVID-19 List on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website.

What can I do if I can't comply with my parenting arrangements or parenting plan because of COVID-19?

If you are unable to comply with your parenting arrangements because of COVID-19 (for example, there are safety concerns for the child because the other parent has been exposed to COVID-19) it is important that you keep your child safe until you have reached an agreement with the other parent.

During this period, it is important that you ensure that each parent continues to have some contact with the child consistent with the parenting arrangements, such as by videoconferencing, social media, or telephone.

For more information,see the Parenting topic.

If you or the other parent are breaching court orders, you should get legal advice. 

What can I do if I want to vaccinate my child against COVID-19 but the other parent disagrees?

Parents are expected to consult and agree on major issues such as education, religion and major medical matters. If you can't agree on a parenting matter you must try Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) first, unless an exception applies.

If you reach an agreement at FDR about arrangements for your child, the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) will discuss the option of putting your agreement into a parenting plan. If you want your agreement to be legally binding you will need to apply to the court for Consent Orders. 

If you try FDR, but can't reach agreement with the other parent, you will be given a certificate called a s60I certificate. The certificate will say why the FDR has failed or why FDR was not appropriate in your circumstances. You will need to have this certificate before you can make an application to court for Parenting Orders.

If you are thinking about making a court application, you should get legal advice.

If the matter is urgent and directly related to COVID-19, you can approach the Federal Circuit or Family Court of Australia to file a matter electronically in the National COVID-19 List. If the matter is suitable for the COVID-19 List, you will receive a court date within three business days of your application being assessed by the Court if it is assessed as urgent.

For more information, see National COVID-19 List on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website.

Can a business refuse me entry because I am unvaccinated?

Vaccination is not required by public health orders for entry into any business.

Businesses can choose to have conditions of entry to their premises, as long as they don’t breach any anti-discrimination or privacy laws. Businesses should not refuse entry to someone with a medical condition preventing them from being vaccinated.

For more information, see:

• COVID-19 vaccinations and federal discrimination law on the Australian Human Rights Commission website
• Your rights during COVID-19 on the NSW Anti-Discrimination website.
  

Can my doctor refuse to treat me if I am unvaccinated?

There is no public health order requiring people who need to see a doctor to be vaccinated.

Doctors are required to see or treat a person if that person’s life is in danger and they need urgent emergency treatment.

In any non-emergency case, no doctor is required to see or treat a patient, but a doctor can’t refuse to see a patient on the basis of discrimination for characteristics that are protected by NSW or Australian laws.

Australian doctors must follow a code of conduct which outlines their responsibilities in relation to access of medical care. This includes doctors being required to take steps to keep themselves and other staff safe when treating patients. If reasonable steps can be taken keep staff safe, that patient should not be refused care.

If you have concerns about whether your doctor can refuse to treat you, you should get legal advice.

For more information, see:

• Does a practitioner have to see a patient? on the Health Care Complaints Commission website
• Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia on the Australian Medical Board website.
  

Am I entitled to a refund if my holiday gets cancelled? 

If your holiday is cancelled due to government restrictions, there is no automatic right to a refund however you may be entitled to a refund or other remedy, such as a credit note or voucher, under the terms and conditions of your ticket or booking.  

You should: 

• check the terms and conditions of your booking relating to cancellations 
• negotiate with the provider of the related service to see if they are prepared to offer a refund, replacement service or voucher 
• check whether you are covered under any travel insurance policy. 
  

Under the Australian Consumer Law, you may be entitled to compensation for other expenses, such as related travel or accommodation expenses booked separately, but this will depend on the specific circumstances.  

For more information, see Event and travel cancellations on the NSW Fair Trading website. 

Does my employer have to pay me if I or a family member is sick with COVID-19?

Full-time and part-time employees who can’t come to work because they are sick with COVID-19 can take paid sick leave. 

Casual employees do not have paid sick or carer’s leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards and usually are not entitled to be paid when they do not work. Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), casual employees are entitled to two days of unpaid carer’s leave per occasion. 

If you need to look after a family member or a member of the household who is sick with COVID-19, or suffering an unexpected emergency, you are entitled to take paid carer’s leave. Full-time and part-time employees can take unpaid carer’s leave if they have no paid sick or carer’s leave left.

Some employers may also provide additional sick leave or special leave. You should talk to your employer about the leave available.

You must give your employer reasonable evidence of the illness or unexpected emergency if your employer asks for it. This will also apply to situations relating to COVID-19.

Can my employer force me to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

There are three situations where an employer may be able to require their employee to be vaccinated:

• a law, such as a public health order, requires employees to be vaccinated
• your employment contract, enterprise agreement or registered agreement allows it
• it is lawful and reasonable for the employer to give you a direction to be vaccinated. Whether a direction is lawful and reasonable will depend on the specific circumstances of your job.

For more information, see:

• COVID-19 and workplace laws on the Fair Work Ombudsman website
• COVID-19 vaccinations and federal discrimination law on the Australian Human Rights Commission website
• Your rights during COVID-19 on the NSW Anti-Discrimination website.
  

If your employer is requiring you to be vaccinated or there is a medical reason preventing you from being vaccinated, you should get legal advice.

Which employees are required to be vaccinated under the public health orders?

As of 1 December 2022, there are no public health orders in force in NSW that mandate COVID-19 vaccination.

Some workplaces may still require mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 under their own applicable work, health and safety obligations.

You must have had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to attend your place of work.

Workers who have a medical contraindication don’t need to get the vaccine but must have a medical contraindication certificate.

For more information, see Keeping workers safe on the NSW government website.

Can my employer force me to provide my vaccination status?

Generally, your employer must ask for your consent (agreement) to provide sensitive information, such as your vaccination status and it must be reasonably necessary for them to collect this.

In some circumstances, your employer may be able to require you to provide your vaccination status. This will depend on your individual circumstances including:

• where you work and what rules apply to the information that can be collected by your employer 
• whether there is a term in your employment contact, enterprise agreement or registered agreement that requires you to be vaccinated
• whether there are any laws, including public health orders, that require that your employer collect this information.

If your employer collects personal health information about you including your vaccination status, it must be:

• recorded accurately
• stored securely
• used appropriately, and
• destroyed when no longer required.

For more information, see COVID-19: Vaccinations and my privacy rights as an employee on the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website.

If you are unsure whether your employer can require to you to tell them your vaccination status, you should get legal advice about your circumstances.

What does a business have to do to create a safe workplace?

To create a safe workplace all businesses need to ensure:

• the health and safety of workers, eliminating the risk of exposure to COVID-19 if reasonably practicable
• business works or undertakings do not put the health and safety of other persons (such as customers, clients and visitors) at risk of contracting COVID-19
• the workplace environment does not put workers and others (such as customers, clients and visitors) at risk of contracting COVID-19
• workers are provided with any information or training that is necessary to protect them from the risk of exposure to COVID-19 arising from their work
• consultation with workers on health and safety matters relating to COVID-19. 

For more information, see the SafeWork Australia website.

Can my employer force me to take leave?

Employers can direct employees who are sick with COVID-19 not to come to work and to get medical clearance from a doctor before returning to work. Employers can do this if they’re acting reasonably and based on factual information about health and safety risks, which includes relying on the Australian Government’s health guidelines.

In some situations, an employer may be able to direct you to take annual leave if:

• you have excess leave, or 
• the company is shut down (closed temporarily). 

Whether an employer can do this will depend on the circumstances and what award or registered agreement (if any) applies to you. 

If your employer has directed you to take annual leave and you do not want to take it, you should get legal advice. 

Can my employer dismiss me or make my role redundant? 

Some employers may need to dismiss employees or make employees’ positions redundant in response to a business downturn due to COVID-19.

If your job is made redundant your employer may have to give you redundancy pay. 

For more information on redundancy, see the Redundancy Frequently Asked Questions in the Employment topic.

What is the High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment?

The High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment is a lump sum payment for some people who work in high-risk settings. The High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment ended on 31 March 2023.

For more information, see High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment on the Service Australia website.

My work situation has changed because of COVID-19. Can I apply for JobSeeker?

The JobSeeker Payment is an income support payment from the Australian Government to support you while you look for work. You may be able to get JobSeeker Payment if are:

• unemployed and you're looking for work, or
• sick and injured and unable to do your usual work or study for a short time.

To be eligible you must also:

• be between 22 and Age Pension Age
• meet residence rules
• meet the income and assets tests.
  

For more information, see JobSeeker Payment on the Services Australia website.

What can I do if my employee won’t wear a mask?

Face masks are no longer mandatory under the public health orders, but in some circumstances you may be able direct your employees to wear masks at work.

If your employee refuses to wear a mask, you should talk to them and ask why they don’t wear a mask. 

In some circumstances, you may not be able require them to wear one or take disciplinary action because they do not wear one. This could be in breach of anti-discrimination laws.

In some circumstances you may be able to request an employee provide information about a medical condition. You will need to be able to demonstrate it is not in connection with unlawfully discriminating against that person on the grounds of their disability.

Any information you collect must be stored and used in accordance with privacy laws.

If you are not sure what steps to take with an employee who won’t wear a mask, you should get legal advice.

Can I require my employee to be vaccinated?

You may be able to require employees to be vaccinated in three situations:

• if a law requires it, for example a public health order requires your employees to be vaccinated to come to work
• if your employees' contract, enterprise agreement or registered agreement allows it
• if you have given your employee a lawful and reasonable direction to be vaccinated. Whether the direction is lawful and reasonable will depend on the specific circumstances of your workplace and your employees.

If you are considering a vaccination policy for your workplace, you should get legal advice.

For more information, see:

• COVID-19 and workplace laws on the Fair Work Ombudsman website
• COVID-19 vaccinations and federal discrimination law on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

One of my employees has COVID-19. Do I need to notify anyone?

You are no longer required to notify SafeWork NSW if an employee tests positive to COVID-19.

You should notify SafeWork NSW if your employee gets (or likely got) COVID-19 at work and:

• is hospitalised
• dies from COVID-19.

For more information, see COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on the SafeWork NSW website.

I am a tenant who was impacted by COVID-19. I still owe rental arrears. What should I do?

If you are a tenant impacted by COVID-19 and were unable to pay some of your rent or other charges, you should contact your landlord and try to negotiate a repayment plan in instalments. Repayment plans should be made in writing and signed by both the tenant and landlord to avoid any misunderstanding.

You must make repayments in line with the agreed repayment plan. If you fail to make two consecutive payments at the times required by the repayment plan, the landlord may apply to end the tenancy if it is fair and reasonable to do so.

If you have attempted to negotiate a rent arrears repayment plan without success, you should contact NSW Fair Trading and make an application for formal arrears repayment negotiation. 

If you have an NCAT hearing for eviction, received a termination notice or NCAT has issued a warrant for possession, you should get legal advice. 

Does my landlord have to reduce my rent if I am having difficulty paying?

If you can’t pay your rent, you must let your landlord know. You may need to provide proof to show loss of employment or loss of income. 

You and your landlord should negotiate and try to reach an agreement about your rental payment. You should have an idea of how much you can afford to pay when negotiating. 

However, your landlord does not have to agree to reduce your rent.

If you have agreed on a lower rental payment, your rental arrears (the remaining amount of rent you have not paid due to the new agreement) are not automatically waived. You may need to undertake further negotiations with your landlord regarding your rental arrears.

What can I do if I think I have been scammed?

Scammers are doing things such as falsely selling coronavirus-related products online, and using fake emails or text messages to try and obtain personal data.

Other scams include phishing emails and phone calls impersonating the World Health Organisation, government authorities, and legitimate businesses – including travel agents and telecommunications companies.

If you think you have been scammed, you can Report a scam on the ACCC Scamwatch website.

Can I defer my home loan?

Banks and non-bank lenders may have measures in place to support homeowners who have fallen behind on mortgage repayments because of COVID-19. This means you may not have to make any repayments for a period of time, for example, three or six months. 

To see if your bank is offering any deferred payment and if you are eligible, you should contact your bank as soon as possible.

Can I access my superannuation early?

The COVID-19 early release of super program closed on 31 December 2020. You can no longer apply for early access to some of your superannuation. 

Should I go to a court or tribunal for a matter if I feel unwell or have been overseas?

You should not attend if you:

• have come into contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19
  
• are unwell and experiencing any of the following symptoms - fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath
  
• have travelled and returned from overseas.
  

The rules for when you must attend in person and other options for appearing by email, phone or video will be different between the relevant courts and tribunals. If you are not sure whether you should attend, you can contact the relevant court or tribunal. 

If you can't attend, you should contact the court or tribunal as soon as possible and explain why you can't attend. If you simply don't appear, your case could be decided without you there. In some cases, a warrant could be issued for your arrest.

My matter is being heard in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), should I attend in person?

NCAT hearings may be in person, by telephone or video.

Your hearing notice will tell you whether you will need to attend NCAT in person, or by Audio-Visual Link (AVL) or telephone.

Do not attend in person if your hearing notice tells you to appear by AVL or telephone.

The requirement for masks has been lifted for most NCAT Divisions. People attending a Guardianship Division hearing are required to wear a face mask when in a hearing room.

If your hearing will take place in person but you want to attend by telephone or video, you can:

• ask the Tribunal member during the initial hearing, or
• complete the request form as soon as possible.

You will need to tell NCAT the reasons for your application and can attach any documents that support your argument. 

It will be up to NCAT to decide whether to it is appropriate for you to appear by telephone or video. 

For more information, and for a copy of the application form, see Attending a hearing by telephone or video on the NCAT website.

My matter is being heard in the Local Court, should I still attend in person?

All people in custody, including bail applications, will appear by Audio-Visual Link (AVL), unless the matter is a hearing, or the Court has made an order for them to be brought to Court in person.

Bail matters in remote, regional and rural areas will continue to be heard remotely.

In all other criminal matters, you will need to attend court in person, unless the Court grants an application for you to appear remotely. The Court will only grant your application if they consider that your circumstances justify the remote appearance.

You must apply to appear remotely:

• by 1pm the day before, if your matter is listed for mention
• at least 72 hours before, if your matter is listed for hearing.

If you can’t go to court for health reasons, the Court can decide either to adjourn your case to another day or make available AVL so that you can participate. 

All civil matters will be dealt with remotely, except some hearings.

Final hearings in the General Division will be in person unless the Court grants an application to allow a remote appearance.

Final hearings in the Small Claims Division will be heard remotely, unless the Court grants an application to allow an in-person appearance.

You must wear a face mask in court if you are directed to by the Magistrate.

For more information, see:

• Chief Magistrate's Memorandum on the Local Court of NSW website, or 
• contact the Courts Service Centre. 
  

My matter is being heard in the District Court, should I still go?

The District Court has returned to its pre-COVID-19 operations.  However, the court continues to encourage remote appearances, which are convenient to the court and the parties.

Most District Court matters are proceeding by Audio-Visual Link (AVL), except for:

• jury trials
  
• sentence matters if the Judge advises you that you need to attend in person
• pre-trial callovers if the court directs you to attend in person.

Wearing a mask is no longer required. Court participants are not required to be vaccinated or provide their vaccination status to attend the District Court.

Court participants are also no longer required to undertake a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and members of the public can attend court in person.  

Members of the media can attend in person and are not required to undertake a RAT before attending.

For more information, see District Court updates COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on the District Court of NSW website.

My matter is being heard in the Children’s Court, should I still go?

All crime, parole, care and protection, education and AVO lists are operating. 

You must appear in person for:

• hearings
  
• sentences
  
• replies to brief where a plea of guilty is to be entered and proceedings are to be finalised
  
• mental health applications
• AVO proceedings.

You will also be brought to court in person for bail applications unless:

• an exemption applies
• the parties consent
• the Court orders you not to attend in person.

In other matters, parties are excused from attending if legally represented. All legal practitioners are to appear in person unless leave has been granted to appear by Audio-Visual Link.

Young people appearing in Youth Koori Court must appear in person.

If you are not sure if you are required to attend, or what arrangements are in place for your matter, contact the court registry.

All persons on court premises are encouraged to wear a fitted face covering unless otherwise determined by the judicial officer hearing the case.

For more information, see COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Children’s Court of NSW website.

I have a matter at the Federal Court, should I still go?

If you are unsure whether you need to physically attend the court for your matter, you should contact the court.

You should not attend court if you are feeling unwell.

My matter is being heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, should I still go?

Hearings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) are generally being held in person. If your matter is listed for an in-person hearing and your can't attend, you can make an application to appear by video or telephone instead.

If you test positive to COVID-19 within seven days of an in-person court date, you must notify the Court as soon as possible. You will usually be expected to attend electronically, unless an adjournment is granted.

For more information, see FCFCOA Special Measures Information Notice: COVID-19 Hearing protocol on the Family Court of Australia website or contact the court.

My matter is being heard in the Supreme Court, should I still go?

COVID-19 Supreme Court protocols for civil and criminal matters ended on 1 October 2022. 

Masks are no longer required in courtrooms. Masks are encouraged in crowded areas.

You don’t need to provide proof of vaccination to enter the Supreme Court.

Audio visual link (AVL) (video and telephone) will remain available and may be used, when approved by the list, trial or duty judge and registrars. AVL use is encouraged when in the interests of justice, including where this can reduce disproportionate costs to parties.

I have been charged with an offence and have to go to court. If I want to plead guilty or not guilty, do I have to go to court?

If your matter is being heard in the Local Court, you may not need to go to court to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. In some circumstances, you may be able to file a Written Notice of Pleading with the court. 

You can file your completed form with the registry of the Court that is hearing your case either in person or by email.

You must file your Notice at least seven working days before your court date. 

Once the court has received your Notice, it will contact you by email and tell you what is going to happen next. If you have not been contacted by the court before your court date, you should contact the court to check they have received your Notice.

In some circumstances you can't use a written notice of pleading. Before you complete a Written Notice of Pleading or appear in court by email, you should get legal advice. 

I need to file documents in my case. How can I do this?

Many courts and tribunals allow you to file documents online. If you are unsure how to file your documents, contact the court or tribunal, or get legal advice.  

If you can’t file you documents online or email them, you should contact the relevant court or tribunal to find out whether you can file your documents in person. Most courts and tribunals have resumed their face-to-face services.

How can I get a document witnessed?

Who can witness your document may depend on the type of document you have. You should contact the organisation or department who is requiring your document to be witnessed and check who is an authorised witness.

Witnesses can now provide services in real time via Audio Visual Link (AVL). Video conferencing technology like Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime and Zoom can be used to witness documents like Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Statutory Declarations.

Remote witnessing of documents was introduced during the pandemic but has now become a permanent way you can get documents witnessed.

For more information, see Witnessing legal documents remotely on the Department of Communities and Justice website.

Can court security test me before I enter the courthouse?

A court security officer may require you to do the following if they need to determine whether or not you a suffering from an illness:

• undertake a thermal imaging scan
• undertake a temperature check
• answer questions about your health in relation to signs of illness 
• answer questions about anything else that may determine whether or not you are likely to be at risk of exposure to COVID-19. 

If you do not want to undertake any testing, you should get legal advice. 

My cellmate may have COVID-19. What can I do?

If you think your cellmate may have coronavirus you should notify prison staff.

Inmates and staff have been advised to take extra care with their personal hygiene and seek help if they feel unwell.

Will I be able to have in person visitors?

Visits are now allowed. Inmates and visitors must follow safety rules for visits.

For operational reasons, including a lockdown due to a COVID-19 outbreak, some centres might cancel their visits at short notice. You should contact the centre before attending to confirm the visit.

For more information, see COVID-Safe in-person visits on the Corrective Services NSW website.

I was previously given a COVID-19 fine. Was it valid?

If you have previously received a COVID-19 fine, you should check what offence it was for.  

Some COVID-19 fines were issued without providing a detailed description of the offence. In November 2022, the Supreme Court of NSW found that this made those fines invalid. 

Because of the court decision, Revenue NSW is withdrawing fines for: 

• Fail to comply with noticed direction in relation section 7/8/9 - COVID-19 – Individual 
• Fail to comply with noticed direction in relation section 7/8/9 - COVID-19 – Company 
• Unlawfully participate in outdoor public gathering – area of concern – Individual 
• Fail to comply with requirement of public health - COVID 19 - Individual. 

This decision does not mean that all fines are invalid. If your fine wasn’t withdrawn, you will still have to deal with the fine. 

For more information, see Covid-19 fines on the NSW Government website. 

What happens if my COVID-19 fine was invalid? 

If you have paid some or all of the fine, Revenue NSW may re-allocate the money you paid to any other unpaid fine in your name. Any money that cannot be re-allocated will be refunded to you. 

If you have paid by credit card within the last 12 months or by BPay at any time, you do not need to do anything.  Revenue will refund the money to you automatically. 

If you have paid in any other way, Revenue NSW will contact you about your refund. Alternatively, you may contact Revenue NSW to enquire about your refund. 

If you haven’t paid the fine and it is withdrawn, all actions Revenue NSW was taking to recover the money will be stopped. This includes if your driver licence was suspended because you didn’t pay the fine.  

You should check with Transport for NSW before driving to make sure the suspension has been lifted and that your licence hasn’t been cancelled, suspended or disqualified for any other reason.  

What happens if my COVID-19 fine was invalid but I already elected to take it to court? 

NSW Police are continuing with the prosecution of any ongoing court-elected COVID-19 fines.  This means if you have already elected to take a COVID-19 fine to court, police will not automatically withdraw the charge and your court case will continue.

If your COVID-19 fine is invalid but your court case is continuing, you should get legal advice. 

What if I completed hours under a Work and Development Order for an invalid COVID-19 fine? 

You do not need to do any further hours if this was the only fine you had on a Work and Development Order. Any hours completed under a WDO for the invalid COVID-19 fine cannot be re-allocated. 

My COVID-19 fine is not being withdrawn. What can I do?  

You can find out if you need to pay or are entitled to a refund by contacting Revenue NSW. 

If you are unsure about whether your fine was valid, you should get legal advice.  

If you have received a valid fine, your options can depend on where your fine is up to, for example, whether it is a penalty notice, penalty reminder notice or overdue fine notice. For further information about your options for dealing with a fine, see Fines on the My Problem Is About section of the website. 

How do I make a complaint about a police officer in a COVID-19 related incident?

If your complaint is about the NSW Police Force, you can make a complaint to the Customer Assistance Unit or the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

For more information, see How to lodge a complaint on the NSW Police Force website.

If your complaint is about the Australian Federal Police, you can make a complaint directly with the AFP. 

For more information, see Complaints and feedback on the AFP website.

You can also make a complaint about the AFP to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. 

For more information, see Australian Federal Police on the Commonwealth Ombudsman website.

Who can I make a complaint to about a COVID-19 related incident?

If your complaint is about a NSW public agency, for example, the Department of Health or Department of Communities & Justice, you can make a complaint to the NSW Ombudsman.

For more information, see Making a complaint on the NSW Ombudsman website.

For complaints about other organisations, see Government complaint bodies in the Ways to get help section of our website.

Can I complain if I disagree with the public health orders?

You can voice your concerns about government decisions, for example, the public health orders, with your local member of parliament.

To find your local member, see Who is my local member? on the Parliament of NSW website.