COVID FAQs for Beauty salons in the Northern Territory

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Posted October 18, 2021

Do any restrictions apply to hair and beauty services in the Northern Territory?

There are no restrictions preventing hair and beauty salons from opening.

 

Is it compulsory for my staff and clients to be vaccinated?

No. There is currently no order from the NT government requiring staff or clients to be vaccinated in the hair and beauty industry.

 

Can I direct my staff to get vaccinated, even though there is no government mandate?

In the Northern Territory, where there is no vaccine mandate, employers should exercise caution prior to any vaccination mandate. Whether you can mandate or not comes down to whether a requirement to be vaccinated is a lawful and reasonable direction. Whether a direction is lawful and reasonable depends on all of the circumstances.

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has put out general guidance material as to what it believes is reasonable and divided employers into tiers with differing risks.

Hairdressing and beauty therapy salons will generally be categorised as Tier 3 work which is described as “interaction or likely interaction between employees and other people such as customers, other employees or the public in the normal course of employment”.

 

An employer is required to consult with staff prior to any major workplace change. Consultation is a requirement under Work Health and Safety (WHS laws) and is also required under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010. You should seek specific advice from the HABA Advice line prior to introducing any vaccination mandate.

 

Do staff need to wear face masks?

Face masks provide an extra layer of protection and are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, particularly when physical distancing can’t be applied.

There is no requirement for staff or clients to wear a face mask while performing/receiving hair and beauty services, but staff are encouraged to wear a face mask where practicable to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

 

Where can I find more information?

Go to https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/business-and-work/business

Note: The COVID-19 situation continues to change across Australia. Governments often change public health orders and accordingly our advice is also subject to change.

 

Do you require further advice?

For information or assistance, please contact the Hair and Beauty Australia Workplace Advice Line on (02) 9221 9911, which is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm AEST or email on info@askhaba.com.au.