#197 Information about permitted work sites operating under Victoria's stage 4 restrictions
6 August 2020
Unless an exception applies, only Permitted Work Premises may operate with on-site operations during the restricted activity period in the Restricted Area, and only to the extent permitted.
Employers for Permitted Work Premises are only permitted to have employees on-site if it is not reasonably practicable for the employee to work from home and the employer and employee comply with the Directions currently in force, including the Workplace Directions and the Permitted Worker Permit Scheme Directions.
Where a Permitted Work Premises is able to operate on-site, additional restrictions may apply.
Permitted Work Premises- health care and social assistance
All public and private health services, including;
- Hospitals
- Community-based health services
- Ambulance and paramedics
- Non-emergency patient transfer
- Aged care services and retirement villages
- Alcohol and other drug services
- Mental Health Services
- Primary health services, including General Practitioners and pharmacy related services
- Blood and breast milk bank
- Laboratories, pathology and diagnostic services
- Maternal and Child Health
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
- All AHPRA registered health workers - and in addition, social work, speech pathology, dietetics and any other health worker required to fulfil a care plan endorsed by NDIS, TAC, Workcover or DVA - to provide services that prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence necessitating escalation of care (e.g. a requirement for specialist input/review, an increase in care needs and/or alternate accommodation, avoiding a hospital admission or emergency department presentation).
- Dentists for urgent care
- Medical specialists where urgent specialist consultation is required
- IVF services
- Immunisation services
- COVID-19 testing facilities
- Any other services related to the COVID-19 health response
- Telehealth services
Medical specialists
We have had a number of medical specialists contacting us seeking clarification on their ability to keep working out of their medical offices. AMA Victoria’s understanding is that they can keep doing so as all public and private health services are permitted work premises. The words “where urgent specialist consultation is required” in reference to medical specialists are not words of limitation.
AMA Victoria is attempting to receive formal authorisation of this interpretation from the DHHS and Business Victoria.
