mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Working arrangements for the health and aged care workforce during COVID-19
When should staff not come to work?
All staff, whether or not they have patient contact, should not come to work
if they:

have a fever
have a symptom, even a minor symptom, of respiratory illness, such as a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion

Staff should quarantine after:

returning from overseas in the past 14 days
being a cruise ship passenger or crew who travelled in the past 14 days
being in close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19

Staff should isolate:

while waiting for the result of a COVID-19 test
after testing positive for COVID-19

If you feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones, stay home and get tested for COVID-19. This is an important part of our
3-step framework for a COVIDSafe Australia. Discuss whether you might be able to
work from home.
Working arrangements for the health and aged care workforce during COVID-19
Employer responsibilities
As an employer, you should brief all staff on how to prevent the spread of
COVID-19. This includes your
contract staff and domestic and cleaning staff.
If one of your staff members has tested positive for COVID-19, you need to
follow the health advice from the National Coronavirus
Helpline on 1800 020
080 or state or territory helpline.
You also need to:

support employee personal hygiene
make sure the workplace is thoroughly cleaned
promote physical distancing, where this does not prevent care
adhere to the limits on public gatherings, noting that this does not apply to staff meetings
support your employees’ mental health
provide information to workers in residential age care facilities
Working arrangements for the health and aged care workforce during COVID-19
Ahpra pandemic response
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
(Ahpra) have established a pandemic response sub-
register for up to 12 months (or less if the pandemic subsides) to
help with fast tracking the return to the workforce of experienced and
qualified health practitioners.
Practitioners included are:

medical practitioners
nurses
midwives
pharmacists
diagnostic radiographers
physiotherapists
psychologists

More information is available for
employers and
practitioners.
Working arrangements for the health and aged care workforce during COVID-19
Temperature checks in the workplace
Temperature checks of workers and visitors may be useful as an added
precaution in high-risk places such as hospitals and aged care facilities.
This helps protect the vulnerable people in those settings.
But temperature checks aren’t always an accurate way of knowing whether
someone has COVID-19. This is because:

people with COVID-19 don’t always have a fever
various other medical conditions or infection can cause a fever, not just COVID-19
fever can go up and down during an infection or after taking medication—it might be down at the time of the check
Working arrangements for the health and aged care workforce during COVID-19
When should staff be tested for COVID-19?
Health care or aged care employees are at greater risk of exposure to
confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus. It’s important to detect COVID-19
early to protect both staff and those they come into contact including
patients, clients and care recipients.
Staff should be tested for COVID-19 if they develop fever or respiratory
symptoms.
Their doctor will confirm if they need to be tested and will arrange for the
test.
Staff should stay home in isolation until they receive their results.
As aged and residential care facilities are high-risk-settings, residents and
staff will be also be tested if there are 2 or more people with fever and
respiratory symptoms in the setting.
COVID-19 test results
If the result is negative , the employee should remain at home until they
are well enough to return to work.
If the result is positive , ask your staff member to follow the advice of
their doctor and isolate themselves in their home or in a hospital until they
are well.
Read more information on
testing.
Working arrangements for the health and aged care workforce during COVID-19
When other responsibilities may apply
Additional responsibilities may apply when your organisation:

supports patients face to face
supports patients remotely
provides aged care

Online training
A 30-minute online module — COVID-19 infection control
training — is
available for care workers across all health care settings.
This training is hosted on an external site, provided by our COVID-19 training
partner Aspen Medical.
Register now
Publications and fact sheets
See our resources on working arrangements for health and aged care workers
during COVID-19.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for health professionals, including aged
care providers, pathology providers and health care
managers
A collection of resources for health professionals, including aged care
providers, pathology providers and health care managers, about coronavirus
(COVID-19).
Webinars
View our webinars on the COVID-19 response for the health and aged care
sector.
Working arrangements for the health and aged care workforce during COVID-19
Flu vaccination
The annual influenza (flu) vaccine for 2020 is now available.
We strongly encourage health care workers to get the flu vaccine every year.
The flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, but if anyone becomes ill
with both influenza and COVID-19 this can be very serious.
Aged care workers and all people entering aged care
facilities are required to be
vaccinated.
Staff may experience fever as a side effect of the
flu vaccination. As fever is also a symptom of COVID-19, we recommend that
staff with fever be tested as a precaution.
Working arrangements for the health and aged care workforce during COVID-19
When can staff come to work?
Health care providers rely on their workforce for the delivery of a range of
hospital, aged care and allied health services. This ensures that Australians
receive the health care they need to stay well and maximise quality of life.
Staff can still go to work if they have directly cared for confirmed cases
while using personal protective equipment (PPE) properly.
Where vulnerable workers undertake
essential work a risk assessment must be undertaken. Risk needs to be assessed
and mitigated, taking into account the worker, the workplace and the work.
This should be conducted with your local Public Health Unit.
Where possible vulnerable people should be redeployed to non-care based roles.
Where risk cannot be appropriately mitigated, employers and employees should
consider alternate arrangements to accommodate a workplace absence.
Working from home during COVID-19
Calculating running expenses
There are three ways you can choose to calculate your additional running
expenses:

shortcut method ─ claim a rate of 80 cents per work hour for all additional running expenses
fixed rate method ─ claim all of these
a rate of 52 cents per work hour for heating, cooling, lighting, cleaning and the decline in value of office furniture
the work-related portion of your actual costs of phone and internet expenses, computer consumables, stationery
the work-related portion of the decline in value of a computer, laptop or similar device.


actual cost method ─ claim the actual work-related portion of all your running expenses, which you need to calculate on a reasonable basis.

For more information on how to calculate and claim a deduction under the
actual cost method or fixed rate method see Home office
expenses.
Working from home during COVID-19
Claiming a deduction
To claim a deduction for working from home, all of the following must
apply:

You must have spent the money.
The expense must be directly related to earning your income.
You must have a record to prove it.

This means you can't claim a deduction for items provided by your
employer, or if you have been reimbursed for the expense.
If you are not reimbursed by your employer, but instead receive an allowance
from them to cover your expenses when you work from home, you:

must include this allowance as income in your tax return
can claim a deduction as outlined on this page.
Working from home during COVID-19
Expenses you can claim
If you work from home, you will be able to claim a deduction for the
additional running expenses you incur. These include:

electricity expenses associated with heating, cooling and lighting the area from which you are working and running items you are using for work
cleaning costs for a dedicated work area
phone and internet expenses
computer consumables (for example, printer paper and ink) and stationery
home office equipment, including computers, printers, phones, furniture and furnishings – you can claim either the
full cost of items up to $300
decline in value for items over $300.
Working from home during COVID-19
Shortcut method
You can claim a deduction of 80 cents for each hour you work from home due to
COVID-19 as long as you are:

working from home to fulfil your employment duties and not just carrying out minimal tasks such as occasionally checking emails or taking calls
incurring additional deductible running expenses as a result of working from home.

You do not have to have a separate or dedicated area of your home set aside
for working, such as a private study.
The shortcut method rate covers all deductible running expenses, including:

electricity for lighting, cooling or heating and running electronic items used for work (for example your computer), and gas heating expenses
the decline in value and repair of capital items, such as home office furniture and furnishings
cleaning expenses
your phone costs, including the decline in value of the handset
your internet costs
computer consumables, such as printer ink
stationery
the decline in value of a computer, laptop or similar device.

You do not have to incur all of these expenses, but you must have incurred
additional expenses in some of those categories as a result of working from
home due to COVID-19.
If you use the shortcut method to claim a deduction for your additional
running expenses, you cannot claim a further deduction for any of the expenses
listed above.
You must keep a record of the number of hours you have worked from home as a
result of COVID-19. Examples are timesheets, diary notes or rosters.
If you use the shortcut method to claim a deduction and you lodge your 2019–20
tax return through myGov or a tax agent, you must include the note ‘ COVID-
hourly rate’ in your tax return.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Wedding cancellations
My wedding has been cancelled or reduced in size. Am I entitled to a refund of the deposit I’ve paid separately to other vendors for products or services I no longer need, such as my florist, photographer, live band, car hire company, etc.?

You should first approach the provider of each service to see if they are prepared to offer a refund or other remedy, such as credit note or voucher.
Whether you are entitled to refund of your deposit will depend on the terms and conditions of your booking with each vendor.
You may also have rights under contract law where the contract can no longer be performed.
Given the exceptional circumstances, the ACCC encourages all businesses to treat consumers fairly.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Telecommunication services
I’ve paid for a subscription service to receive sporting service – what are my rights?

Major sporting codes in Australia and overseas have cancelled, suspended or postponed their seasons in response to COVID-19, and this means that many popular live sports are currently not available on subscription service platforms.
If you signed up with a subscription service to receive live sports, and these live sports are no longer available, the ACCC expects that you will receive a refund or other remedy, and will not continue to be charged for your subscription while the services cannot be provided.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, businesses should not take payments for services when they know they are unable to supply those services, or will only be able to supply materially different services.
If you are not receiving what you signed up for, including concerns about any replacement services (e.g. a ‘movies’ package in substitute for live sports), you may be entitled to certain remedies under the consumer guarantees.
You should contact your subscription service provider to see if they are prepared to offer a change of plan or other remedy.
If you have not been able to resolve things directly with your service provider, you can lodge a complaint with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Local sporting clubs or associations 
What if the season is cancelled?

If your sporting club or association’s season has been cancelled, the ACCC expects that you will receive a refund or other remedy, such as a credit note or voucher for a future season, in most circumstances.
If the season is cancelled due to government restrictions, this impacts your rights under the consumer guarantees. However, you may also have other remedies outside of the Australian Consumer Law.
You should check for a cancellation policy under your membership terms and conditions, and contact the state or national body directly to see if you are entitled to full or partial refund, credit note or voucher.
If you had a right to a refund under these terms and conditions at the time you purchased your membership, the state or national body is not permitted to change the terms at a later time to deny you a refund.
You may also have rights under contract law where the contract can no longer be performed.
You should contact your club directly if you believe you are entitled to a refund or other remedy, such as a credit voucher to use in a future season. Given the exceptional circumstances, the ACCC encourages the state and national bodies, and clubs and associations, to treat consumers fairly and consider appropriate mechanisms to provide refunds or credit notes to consumers.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Travel cancellations and changes
My flight, cruise or tour has been cancelled. Am I entitled to a refund?

If your travel is cancelled the ACCC expects that consumers will receive a refund or other remedy, such as a credit note or voucher, in most circumstances. In some cases, consumers will have the right to receive a refund, rather than a credit note or voucher. For example, you may be entitled to a refund under the terms and conditions of your ticket.
If you had a right to a refund under these terms and conditions at the time you purchased your ticket, businesses are not permitted to change the terms at a later time to deny you a refund.
Similarly, if you were previously told by a business that you would receive a refund for your cancelled travel, the business is not permitted to later deny you the promised refund.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also have other rights under common law, contract or state legislation.
Travel cancellations due to government restrictions do impact your rights under the consumer guarantee provisions of the Australian Consumer Law. However, you may have other remedies, including potential rights to a refund, outside of the consumer guarantees, as explained above.
You should check your terms and conditions, and any previous communications with the business, and contact the business directly to request a remedy. This may be a refund or credit note or voucher, depending on your circumstances.
If you receive a credit note or voucher, it should have an expiration date which is long enough to allow you to use the credit note or voucher.
State and territory consumer protection agencies may be able to assist with guidance or conciliation involving relevant state legislation. Consumers may also wish to seek independent legal advice about whether they may have a remedy under common law, contract or state legislation.
The ACCC encourages all businesses to treat consumers fairly in these exceptional circumstances.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Gym memberships
What if I have made an upfront payment that covers the closure period?

If you’ve made an upfront payment that covers the period of the closure then the ACCC expects you will receive a refund or other remedy such as a credit note or voucher. However, if the service has been suspended due to government restrictions, this impacts your rights to a refund under the consumer guarantees. You should look at the terms and conditions of your contract and any cancellation policy announced by the business, and get in touch with them directly. You may also have rights under contract law where the contract can no longer be performed.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Local sporting clubs or associations 
What if the season resumes, but is shortened?

If your sporting club or association announces that the 2020 season will be resuming, but will be shortened or altered, you may still be entitled to a remedy such as a partial refund, credit note or voucher where the value of the service has been reduced.
However, whether you are entitled to a remedy will depend on the particular circumstances of the revised season, any applicable terms and conditions of your membership, and what you receive in exchange for your membership fees. For example, funds paid toward uniform, equipment or insurance costs may be non-refundable given they cover the duration of the season or registration, irrespective of the season length.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Wedding cancellations
I’ve purchased my wedding dress online from overseas and I’m worried it won’t be delivered. Can I cancel my order and get a refund?

If a supplier has accepted payment for your wedding dress, they must supply it to you by the date they have indicated or, if no time was specified, within a reasonable timeframe.
You should first contact your supplier to ask whether the dress is still able to be delivered and, if so, when you can expect to receive it.
If the business advises that your dress can no longer be supplied, then the ACCC expects you will receive a refund or other remedy such as a credit note or voucher.
The ACCC understands that many businesses are struggling to manage supply delays at this point in time due to circumstances outside their control. We urge consumers to remain patient and anticipate that it may take longer than usual for goods to be supplied.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Event cancellations
I bought tickets for an event that has been cancelled. Am I entitled to a refund?

If your event is cancelled the ACCC expects that you will receive a refund or other remedy, such as a credit note or voucher, in most circumstances.
If the event is cancelled due to government restrictions, this impacts your rights under the consumer guarantees. However, you may also have other remedies outside of the Australian Consumer Law.
For example, you may be entitled to a refund under the terms and conditions of your ticket.
If you had a right to a refund under these terms and conditions at the time you purchased your ticket, businesses are not permitted to change the terms at a later time to deny you a refund.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also have other rights under common law, contract or state legislation.
You should contact the business directly to request a refund or other remedy such as a credit note or voucher.
If you receive a credit note or voucher, it should have an expiration date which is long enough to allow you to use the credit note or voucher.
State and territory consumer protection agencies may be able to assist with guidance or conciliation involving relevant state legislation. Consumers may also wish to seek independent legal advice about whether they may have a remedy under common law, contract or state legislation.
Given the exceptional circumstances, the ACCC encourages all businesses to treat consumers fairly.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Wedding cancellations
My venue has cancelled my booking. Am I entitled to a refund of my deposit?

If your wedding is cancelled due to government restrictions, this impacts your rights under the consumer guarantees. However, you may also have other remedies outside of the Australian Consumer Law.
For example, you may be entitled to a refund of your deposit under the terms and conditions of your booking.
You should contact the venue directly to request a refund or other remedy, such as a credit note to postpone your wedding to a later date.
If you had a right to a refund under the terms and conditions at the time you made your booking, businesses are not permitted to change the terms at a later time to deny you a refund.
If you receive a credit note or voucher, it should have an expiration date which is long enough to allow you to use the credit note or voucher.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also have other rights under common law, contract or state legislation.
For example, you may have rights under contract law where the contract can no longer be performed.
State and territory consumer protection agencies may be able to assist with guidance or conciliation involving relevant state legislation. Consumers may also wish to seek independent legal advice about whether they may have a remedy under common law, contract or state legislation.
The ACCC encourages all businesses to treat consumers fairly in these exceptional circumstances.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Event cancellations
I bought tickets to an event that has been cancelled. Am I entitled to compensation for related travel or accommodation expenses booked separately?

You should first approach your travel or accommodation provider to see if they are prepared to offer a replacement service, refund or voucher.
You should also check whether you are covered under any travel insurance policy.
You may be entitled to compensation for these expenses under the Australian Consumer Law but this will depend on the specific circumstances. This is unlikely to be the case where the event is cancelled due to government restrictions.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Material changes to services
Do I need to keep paying for this changed service?

Where there have been changes to the service being provided, the ACCC expects that the business will clearly communicate these changes to its customers.
Your rights in relation to a changed service will depend on whether the change is a material change or whether the change has a minimal effect on the business’ ability to provide the service originally contracted for.
Where the change is a material change, you may wish to still continue with the service. However, if you do not wish to continue, the ACCC expects that business will not charge you for the changed service where you have advised the business that you do not wish to proceed with the changed service.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Gym memberships
Can my gym charge me a membership ‘freeze’ or ‘holding’ fee for the period they are closed?

Membership ‘freeze’ or ‘holding’ fees may be charged by gyms when customers elect to pause their membership, if this is permitted by the terms and conditions.
Given many memberships are being paused due to the government restrictions preventing gyms from operating, rather than customers requesting a pause, the ACCC expects that gyms will not charge membership ‘freeze’ or ‘holding’ fees.
The ACCC also expects that gyms will refund any such holding fees incorrectly charged since the government restrictions came into effect.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
Travel cancellations and changes
My flight, cruise or tour service has been cancelled. Am I entitled to compensation for related expenses booked separately, such as accommodation?

You should first approach the provider of the related service to see if they are prepared to offer a refund, replacement service or voucher.
You should also check whether you are covered under any travel insurance policy.
You may be entitled to compensation for these expenses under the Australian Consumer Law but this will depend on the specific circumstances. This is unlikely to be the case where the travel is cancelled due to government restrictions.