Posted October 18, 2021
Do any restrictions apply to hair and beauty services in Queensland?
Hair and beauty businesses can open in Queensland. However, in certain COVID-19 impacted areas, there is a requirement to comply with face mask restrictions.
The impacted areas are:
- Brisbane City Council
- Gold Coast City Council
- Ipswich City Council
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Logan City Council
- Moreton Bay Regional Council
- Noosa Shire Council
- Redland City Council
- Scenic Rim Regional Council
- Somerset Regional Council
- Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Townsville (including Magnetic Island) and Palm Island are not classified as impacted areas, but residents of these areas are encouraged to carry a face mask and wear it when physical distancing is not possible.
My business is in a COVID-19 impacted area. What’s different?
In outdoor and indoor settings, including workplaces, people must wear a face mask at all times if they are unable to stay 1.5metres away from other people. However, the mask can be removed if a service cannot be provided or received while a face mask is worn.
Are there limits on how many people can be in the salon premises?
The business needs to ensure that they follow the density rule of 1 person per 2 square metres.
Is it compulsory for my staff and clients to be vaccinated?
No. There is currently no order from the Queensland government which requires 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 Queensland, 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 for your staff.
Due to the limits on people within the premises, I can’t have all of my staff at work. What should I do?
The employer will need to make a decision based on the specific requirements of the business. If the business employs casual staff, consider whether they will be required to attend work.
Other options include, but should not be limited to:
- Reaching agreement with staff to take paid or unpaid leave
- Reaching agreement with part-time employees to change rostering arrangements
Employers that are considering dismissing staff because they are not required should seek advice from the HABA Advice Line.
Do staff need to wear face masks?
In COVID-19 impacted areas, people need to wear masks indoors including workplaces if they are unable to stay 1.5 metres away from other people. However, the mask can be removed if a service cannot be provided or received while a face mask is worn.
Where can I find more information?
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.
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