Australian Resources and Energy Group AREEA continue to work closely with its members to assist in managing the unprecedented workforce and operational disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the physical and mental health and wellbeing of resource sector employees as the foremost priority.

Please find below key information and resources regarding the latest employment and travel issues.

In addition, don’t forget to check out the daily AREEA Resource People Podcast (see related story here), this week’s webinars (here) and the COVID-19 Guide to Mental Health & Wellness (here).

Updated Coronavirus COVID-19: Employer Guide

Version 4 of the AREEA COVID-19 Employer Guide is available now, and up-to-date as of 31 March 2020.

This Guide covers ‘current state’ information and employment considerations including:

• The latest state and federal government travel advice as it relates to resources sector FIFO workforces
• Precautionary and preventative measures AREEA members are taking to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace
• Steps your organisation can take to maintain a state of preparedness in relation to COVID-19
• Answers to many ‘frequently asked questions’ in relation to managing your employees (including travel, pay, leave and health and safety obligations)
• Further sources of information and support

NOTE: Please pay special attention to the below advice regarding interstate travel restrictions when reviewing AREEA’s COVID-19 Employer Guide. As soon as updated advice is made, a revised edition will be circulated to AREEA members.

Interstate Travel Developments

AREEA’s V4 Employer Guide reflects the current state of various state / territory border controls. This is expected to change imminently.

Last week AREEA provided its members with advice on border control measures enacted by various state and territory governments, including a template letter to assist with moving “essential workers” between states.

It has become apparent since Sunday (29 March) that most states and territories are set to significantly increase their respective travel restrictions, including removing the exemption that previously applied to FIFO workforces regarding mandatory 14-day self isolation periods.

To date Queensland is the only state to have formally updated its border control directions. The new directions, updated on 31 March 2020, includes that: “an employee of a resources sector company or service provider is only an exempt person if they are a critical resources sector employee” (see paragraphs 21-24).

Further, the Queensland Government is now requiring that resources sector employees travelling into the state provide the following information upon their arrival:

1. the name of their employer; and
2. evidence that they are a fly in fly out worker; and
3. evidence that they are entering Queensland to go directly to work; and
4. evidence of the location of the worksite or work camp; and
5. if they are a resources sector employee, evidence that they are a critical resources sector employee.

Other Governments including those of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory have not yet made formal announcements regarding tighter border controls, however it is AREEA’s strong understanding that such measures are forthcoming by the end of the week.

While the policies of each state and territory will have some variance, it is becoming increasingly clear that the approach taken by all last week – that FIFO employees are generally considered exempt from interstate quarantine measures – will soon no longer apply.

AREEA is presently assisting many of our members through the practical impacts of this sudden change in state / territory travel policy.  To discuss your workforce needs, contact AREEA’s expert Workplace Relations team.