South Australian public sector workers who have a scheduled COVID-19 vaccination during their normal or rostered work hours will be able to attend the appointment in paid work time - including reasonable travel time - to ensure they are not 'out of pocket'.
And, if a public sector employee receives the vaccine and experiences an adverse reaction, they should be provided with access to paid sick leave entitlements.
Where sick leave entitlements have been exhausted, an employee's relevant Chief Executive may provide access to special leave with pay under existing provisions.
The entitlements are contained in new provisions published by the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said the Marshall Government was committed to the safe, efficient and timely delivery of vaccines in a prioritised manner over the course of this year.
"The Government is doing all we can to support those public sector workers who choose to have the COVID-19 vaccination when their turn comes, and these new provisions will ensure they are not out of pocket while doing so," said Mr Lucas.
In the update to the Commissioner's Determination 3.1: Hours of Work, Overtime and Leave – Supplementary Provisions for COVID 19, Commissioner Erma Ranieri confirms COVID-19 vaccination is 'voluntary but strongly encouraged' across the general community.
"All public sector employees will be supported to receive a vaccine as and when it becomes available to them," the provisions state.
"South Australian public sector agencies will observe the phased roll-out of the vaccine as detailed in Australia's COVID-19 vaccine national roll-out strategy, released by the Commonwealth Government and South Australia's roll-out plan.
"All South Australians will be offered the vaccine in accordance with the phased community roll-out."
This week, frontline COVID-19 workers, including healthcare, quarantine and border workers, have begun rolling up their sleeves to receive the first vaccinations under Phase 1a of the rollout at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre.
