Construction Update: Changes to Essential Work Requirements to Cross Borders

The Queensland Government announced changes to the Queensland – New South Wales border for essential workers. These changes have been in place since 1am, Saturday 21 August 2021.

As per the new process, essential workers applying for an essential work endorsement must demonstrate that the work being undertaken cannot be obtained in Queensland and all efforts have been made to replace this person. Further, they need to demonstrate that the service must be provided without delay and will have a significant impact if not provided. The essential worker must be physically present to perform the duty and the worker’s employer should have a plan in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among its employees and the community.

The requirements are for essential workers to have a Queensland Border Declaration pass and proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine remain in place.  

Workers crossing the Queensland – NSW border for other essential work that does not meet the definition of essential work and need to be approved by the Department of Energy and Public Works by applying through the Queensland Health Portal.

Construction or energy sector companies requiring workers to travel to Queensland from a declared hotspot (outside the NSW border zone) can still apply for a specialist worker exemption.

To find out more about the restrictions, please read the Border Restrictions Direction.

For information for vaccinations for essential workers including walk-in vaccination locations, please read here.