Coronavirus: What happens when an employee tests positive?

23 February 2022

Update: Members are advised to rely on the most recent news stories and Bulletins only, as government advice and regulations will continue to change as the COVID-19 situation develops. The advice below was correct at the time of publication. The latest COVID-19 news is available here.

If a worker has tested positive for COVID-19 and worked indoors in the work premise during their infectious period, they must inform their workplace as soon as possible.

Once employers are aware of a case of COVID-19 at the workplace, as soon as possible, they must:

1. Direct the worker to return home and self-isolate for 7 days after the date they were tested (if they are on site), even if they don't have symptoms. If the worker is unable to return home immediately, direct the worker to isolate themselves at the workplace and, while doing so, to wear a face mask and remain at least 1.5 metres from any other person
2. Identify workplace contacts. A workplace contact is an employee (or contractor) who has been:
   • face-to-face (<1.5m) for more than 15 minutes (total in one day) with a confirmed or probable case OR
   • in a small indoor space (<100m²) for more than 2 hours (total in one day) with a confirmed or probable case.

You can also use this tool to determine workplace contacts. 

3. Contact the workplace contacts and inform them that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and inform them that they must use a rapid antigen test (or a PCR test if they can't access a rapid antigen test) if they have symptoms, and recommend they use rapid antigen tests daily for 5 days if they don't have symptoms
4. Inform all workers (including health and safety representatives) to be vigilant about the onset of COVID-19 symptoms and advise all workers to use a rapid antigen test (or a PCR test if they can't access a rapid antigen test) if they have symptoms
5. Put in place appropriate control and/or risk management measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 at the workplace. For example, increase the use and enforcement of PPE (such as face masks) and physical distancing
6. If there has been 5 or more cases within a 7-day period, you are required to notify the department via the COVID-19 outbreak notification form.

In some situations, such as if there is an outbreak, the Department of Health or a Local Public Health Unit may contact you to provide special advice which your staff will be required to follow.

You are not required to deep clean your place of business but must follow routine cleaning to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. For more information, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) cleaning guidelines for workplaces.

If you need help with any of the above steps, please call The Department of Health on 1300 651 160.

What should I do if a worker develops one or more symptoms of COVID-19 while at work?

You must direct the worker to go home immediately and get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible. Workers must stay home until they receive their test results. They should still stay home until symptoms have resolved.

You must inform all workers (including the health and safety representative) to be vigilant about the onset of symptoms of COVID-19 and advise all workers to take a rapid antigen test (or a PCR test if they can't access a rapid antigen test) if they have symptoms.

You must ensure that record-keeping requirements are followed to support contact tracing if the worker tests positive for COVID-19.

For more information about testing, including where to get tested, visit Getting tested or contact:

VACC OHS&E Unit
P: 03 9829 1265
E: ohs@vacc.com.au