Navigating the plethora of seemingly conflicting information can be challenging, confusing and emotionally taxing.
ABIC are on the ground obtaining the correct first-hand information in official government covid taskforce sessions, along with state and federal meetings, and consultation meetings with the most recognised formal organisations that represent small business and employees such as ACCI, COSBOA, FairWork and varying Ombudsmen.
In these meetings ABIC fight for the solutions and the requests of the industry, so that we can have a strong voice in shaping critical government decisions that affect every single person in the aesthetic and beauty industry today and in the future.
Please click on the links provided to find out what we currently know, and see the answers we are still waiting on.
If there is something that you want us to ask the government, simply send us an email to [email protected]
What are requirements for beauty and aesthetics in latest NSW Roadmap to reopening?
NSW 70% ROADMAP
For people who are fully vaccinated:
NSW 80% ROADMAP
NSW FROM 1 DECEMBER 2021
Find this and more official information HERE
For further information about the Reopening NSW roadmap, go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
What are requirements for beauty and aesthetics in latest REGIONAL NSW Roadmap to reopening?
REGIONAL NSW ROADMAP
What are requirements for beauty and aesthetics in latest Metro Melbourne Roadmap to reopening?
METRO MELBOURNE 70% ROADMAP
METRO MELBOURNE 80% ROADMAP
Find this and more information in this link HERE
What are requirements for beauty and aesthetics in latest REGIONAL VIC Roadmap to reopening?
REGIONAL VIC 80% OF 16+ WITH A SINGLE DOSE:
REGIONAL VIC 70% OF 16+ FULLY VACCINATED:
REGIONAL VIC 80% OF 16+ FULLY VACCINATED:
Find this and more information in this link HERE
How does government and the press refer to the beauty and aesthetic industry in its communications, press releases and roadmaps?
Beauty and aesthetics come under the government heading Personal Services. Personal Services covers the 4 sectors of the industry, which are:
*Please note that Bachelor qualified Dermal Clinicians may also fall under Unlisted Allied Heath depending on the clinical setting.
4. Medical Aesthetic – Examples; Cosmetic Injectables, PRP, Mono-threads. Professionals such as Registered or Enrolled Nurses (Cosmetic Nurses).
These services are considered non-essential when performed for cosmetic purposes, yet they may also fall under essential medical depending on the clinical setting.
(See above for clinical setting considerations)
When Government refer to specific parts of the beauty industry in their communication, it typically includes the entire beauty and aesthetic industry.
For example, the beauty industry is sometimes referred to as “nails salons” in press releases. While this is frustrating, typically this includes all of beauty and aesthetics.
There are exceptions to this on occasion, however they are rare.
Currently mandated vaccinations are not applicable for non-essential retail staff and customers, does that mean that the same can be applied to the aesthetic and beauty industry?
No, at this stage NSW and VIC government have advised in their Roadmaps that beauty and aesthetics will come under a soon to be released Public Health Order, which stipulates that in order to return to work when the states reach the 70% fully vaccinated rate, practitioners and clients must be fully vaccinated.
What is the difference between a mandate and a public health order?
They are both types of laws and they are equally legally binding on the public and enforceable by the government, which means that both need to be followed.
The information that we have at this stage indicates that only certain professions will have long term or permanent mandates put in place. These are industries such as healthcare, aged care and freight.
Our current understanding is that beauty and aesthetics will fall under the upcoming public health orders (PHO) which should only be in place for a certain period of time, and NOT the permanent mandates. This means that when the PHO ends, so do the conditions within the order.
Therefore, this could mean that the vaccination requirement for workers in our industry will only last for the duration of the PHO.
Remember, that everything is subject to change.
Will there be any legal or discrimination protections for business owners with regards to asking that staff be fully vaccinated in order to return to work?
Yes, there will be new protections that will be released in the upcoming weeks to ensure that business owners are not legally liable for this responsibility, as it is an order from the government.
Why is there an allowable cap of 20 patrons in a gym class, as opposed to a 5 patron cap for beauty and aesthetic services?
The reasoning put forward by Fiona Dewar in a government taskforce meeting, in which ABIC was able to speak was, that the time spent with each patron was extensive and the close proximity to patrons was an issue.
ABIC put forward an argument and a case for consideration based on the following:
Average treatment time for a beauty service being 30 minutes, and the average gym class being 40 minutes.
Infection control standards, PPE and safety measures are inherent in every beauty qualification. In addition to 80% of beauty & aesthetics operating in single treatments rooms which are sanitized after each patron.
This is a general concern regarding the misunderstanding of the communities need for our industry, its safety and infection control measures and standards, and lack of consultation us.
Will employee disaster payments continue after we reopen?
Currently this information is being refined and finalised, but the information has been released indicates that payments will cease shortly after reopening for employees.
How will vaccinated people be identified?
The government COVID QR app will be able to be linked to Medicare, therefore your vaccination status will be able to be displayed via the QR app.
If you have any additional information that you would like us to know, any questions about this material, or any understandings that conflict with this information please email us on [email protected]
DISCLAIMER: This interpretation of information is based on our current understanding (at the time of writing this article) of the advice from government. Please always refer to, official government sources and communication and obtain legal advice and/or interpretation specific to your situation, employment or business.
If you have a question that has not been asked or answered in this blog please email us on [email protected]
Stefanie Milla
ABIC CEO