The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association is providing support and advice to any members seeking information regarding COVID-19. Ensure you’re covered at work by joining the NSWNMA.

If you need further advice, members are encouraged to contact us here. If members are concerned their employer is not following COVID-19 guidelines, the NSWNMA can provide assistance to ensure appropriate measures are in place.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As a result of ongoing advocacy from the NSWNMA and other health unions, both NSW and national guidance has been changed to advise that fit testing should be undertaken for health workers wearing P2/N95 masks.

If you are providing care for patients who have or are suspected to have COVID-19 or are working in a high-risk clinical area, your employer must provide you with appropriate PPE to ensure you can do your job safely.

To make sure you’re properly protected at work, please read through our PPE guide here which also contains some frequently asked questions from NSWNMA members. Workers compensation covers COVID-19 exposure for workers in prescribed employment.

Workers Compensation

Workers compensation covers COVID-19 exposure for workers in prescribed employment.

This means all nurses and midwives in NSW do not have to prove the source of a COVID-19 infection when making a workers’ compensation claim.

These changes also cover casual workers, if any shifts are worked in the weeks prior to falling ill.

Liability for confirmed COVID-19 claims will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and the insurer will need to establish facts and evidence for each claim. For more information, click here.

If you test positive to COVID-19, you should notify your employer immediately.

Workers in prescribed employment (including the healthcare sector) are automatically presumed to have contracted COVID-19 at work, unless the contrary is established.

Despite this, you will still need to attain a Certificate of Capacity from your doctor to confirm your diagnosis and that work was the likely source of transmission. Further information may be required from you, your employer and nominated treating doctor subsequently.

Your employer will then notify the insurer within 48 hours of receiving your notification.

The insurer must start provisional weekly payments of compensation within 7 days of notification, unless they have a reasonable excuse.

If you have not been notified of the insurer’s decision within 7 days, you can contact the Independent Review Office (IRO) for help on 13 94 76, through their online complaints form or by email at complaints@iro.nsw.gov.au

If you would like some more advice or your claim has been declined, please contact the Association. ​​​​​​