Practices that dismiss staff who refuse COVID-19 vaccinations will likely have the law on their side even without a government mandate, Avant says.

It comes as national cabinet considers making vaccination mandatory for all healthcare workers, with the AMA arguing that GP practice owners need legal certainty to insist on vaccination as a condition of employment.

While states like NSW have already introduced public health orders, the AMA says it has been fielding calls from GPs in other jurisdictions worried about unfair dismissal claims from staff who refuse vaccination.

But although the power to require mandatory vaccinations does lie with state and territory governments, Avant says individual practices can also be solid legal ground, imposing their own requirements.