The NSW Government won’t declare COVID-19 vax mandates for GPs and practice staff, declaring a mandate would be unnecessary as vaccination is already recommended by federal health authorities.

NSW is currently the only state that is yet to make getting a shot a condition of work in private practice, although it is compulsory in aged  care and its public hospitals.

The situation has led to complaints from AMA NSW, which argues a public health order would offer practices protection against unfair dismissal claims from staff who refused a COVID-19 vaccine.

There are no official figures, but an Australian Doctor survey last month suggested that 40% of practices report having at least one staff member who has refused to be vaccinated.