18 August 2021

Qantas’ decision to mandate COVID jabs after surveys showed its 22,000 staff overwhelmingly backed the move has been hailed by the Prime Minister as the “right model” for other businesses seeking to do the same.

[...]

[...] the national carrier’s move will have an impact on more than 10,000 other staff employed by contractors and suppliers that Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said were now working with the airline on their own vaccination plans.

[...]

Qantas’ new policy, which also extends to Jetstar, will require frontline staff such as pilots to have both jabs by November 15 and office staff to be double vaccinated by the end of March. Medical exemptions will be granted sparingly in-line with federal health advice.

“If other employees decided that they’re not taking the jab, then they’re deciding I think that aviation isn’t the area for them,” Mr Joyce said.

[...]