Who should notify WorkSafe and when
Employers and self-employed persons, with management or control of a workplace must notify WorkSafe immediately after becoming aware that:
- an employee, independent contractor, employee of the independent contractor, or self-employed person has received a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis
- the diagnosed employee, independent contractor, employee of the independent contractor, or self-employed person has attended the workplace within the relevant infectious period
How to report a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in the workplace
Notify WorkSafe immediately online or by phone
Option A: Submit a COVID-19 incident notification form online.
COVID-19 incident notification
Additional workplaces require a new COVID-19 incident notification form to be completed.
OR
Option B: Call WorkSafe on 13 23 60
- We will email you the COVID-19 incident notification form to complete in full and submit it to WorkSafe.
- You must complete and submit this notification within 48 hours of the time you became aware of the positive diagnosis at the workplace.
- Check your email for a message from [email protected]
- After notifying WorkSafe by phone, you’ll receive an email with a link to complete the COVID-19 incident notification. You must complete and submit the full details in writing, within 48 hours.
You are required to keep a record of the form for at least five years.
Possible further enquiries
Your notification will be assessed to determine if related enquiries or a site inspection are required.
Troubleshooting
- Please logout of your myWorkSafe account before commencing the online notification.
- If you can't complete the COVID-19 incident notification form online, you must call WorkSafe to notify us. You can then download and print a copy of the COVID-19 incident notification, and the COVID-19 incident notification – additional impacted person form (if required as part of your notification). Scan and email the completed documents to: [email protected]
Register of injuries
You must record the confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in your workplace register of injuries.
Every workplace must have a register of injuries.
A register of injuries is a document that is readily accessible to a worker. It contains the particulars of all injuries and confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 that have occurred at a workplace.
Consult with employees
Employers must ensure they continue to meet their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 by consulting with employees and health and safety representatives (if any) on matters related to health or safety that directly affect, or are likely to affect them. This includes consultation on identifying hazards or risks and decisions about how to control risks associated with COVID-19.
Learn more about your obligations to report confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 relating to your employees and contractors.
Infectious period
For the purposes of WorkSafe reporting requirements, 'infectious period' means the date, being 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (whichever comes first), until the date on which the person receives a clearance from isolation from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Note that a different definition of 'infectious period' applies for DHHS reporting obligations and contact tracing purposes. Please visit the DHHS website below for more information.
Workplace definition
'Workplace' means a place, whether or not in a building or structure, where employees or self-employed persons work. A 'place' also includes a car, truck, ship, boat, airplane and any other vehicle.
DHHS requirements for reporting
In addition to reporting a confirmed case of COVID-19 to WorkSafe, the Chief Health Officer's Workplace Directions include requirements for employers to notify DHHS about the positive case and undertake certain actions, including the notifying of health and safety representatives, when there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the work premise.
Visit the DHHS website for or more information about these obligations.