How we work: Current restrictions

 

To understand how the current restrictions affect your workplace, see the Frequently asked questions on this page. 

This page is your key resource for COVID-19 restrictions applying to businesses in Victoria. It replaces the FAQs and industry guidelines on the sector guidance pages. Check back here for information while the current restrictions are in place.

 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

General Business FAQs

Can businesses refuse to service someone if they are not wearing a face mask? 

Businesses should not refuse service to patrons without a face mask, who may have a lawful reason for not wearing one. For more information, visit Face masks and human rights. 

Am I required to wear a mask at work? 

Yes, workers must wear a face mask when leaving the home, including in the workplace, unless a lawful reason not to wear one applies. Find out more information about face masks. 

Does a density quotient apply during the current restrictions ? 

Yes, a density quotient of one person per four square metres applies in all premises and spaces that are open and accessible to the public, and in shared spaces within workplaces (such as lunchrooms).  

A density quotient is the number of people allowed in each space. It is designed to support physical distancing and minimise close contact between people to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.   

Workers in publicly accessible spaces are counted in the density quotient if they are in the space on an ongoing basis (and not on an ad hoc basis).  

Does the Authorised Worker or Authorised Provider list apply? 

No. The Authorised Worker and Authorised Providers list no longer applies. 

Workers should work from home if they can, but they can leave their home to go to work.

Record keeping FAQs

Are there exceptions to record keeping and QR code requirements? 

Yes, but they are limited. Read more about the limited exceptions to record keeping and QR code requirements.  

I operate a petrol/service station. Do I need to use the Victorian Government QR Code Service?

Yes. All businesses in Victoria with on-site operations must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service. All customers and workers entering a premises such as a service station must check-in using the Service Victoria app. Check-in is not required where a customer does not enter the service station by making a contactless payment at the bowser.  
 
Business owners must display QR codes at entrances and points of service, and request customers check-in. For further information see About the free Victorian Government QR Code Service. 
 
Do ‘click-and-collect’ services need to keep records or use the Victorian Government QR code? 

‘Click-and-collect’ services that do not require the customer to enter the premises, are not required to keep records, although it is encouraged.

If the customer enters the premises, they must check-in using the Service Victoria app. For further information see About the free Victorian Government QR Code Service. 
 

What are the fines for businesses for not following QR code requirements?   

Business owners face on-the-spot fines of $1,817 if they fail to comply with electronic record keeping requirements. When a business is repeatedly non-compliant, the business owner can face a further fine of $10,904. For continued, blatant or wilful non-compliance, a business owner may face prosecution.  

I run a business. How do I comply with the Victorian Government QR Code requirements?

Maintaining good records and supporting checking in at your business helps to stop the spread of coronavirus and keeps our state safe. All businesses required to use electronic record keeping must now use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service.

If your business does not have a physical workplace (that is, a premises that the business owns or controls) you do not need to keep records or register with the Victoria Government QR Code Service. However, you are required to check-in at locations you visit as part of your work.

It is recommended that you maintain a record of locations you visit as part of your work, and the time you were there, in case contract tracing is required. Remember to check in everywhere, every time where Service Victoria QR codes are used.

Workplaces that must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service must make reasonable efforts to ensure people check-in.

Businesses must register for the free Victorian Government QR Code Service and display a Service Victoria QR code prominently at each entrance to the work premises. Additional requirements apply to hospitality, retail, supermarkets, markets, and market stall worksites. For more information, visit About the free Service Victorian QR Code app.

The workplaces that are required to implement the Service Victoria QR Code system must also provide an alternative record-keeping method for people who do not have a smartphone and cannot scan the Service Victoria QR code. This could include providing a device, such as a tablet, and using the Kiosk check-in service in the Service Victoria app, which allows workers to enter a customer’s name and phone number manually. Or you can use pen and paper as a last resort to record the person’s first name, last name, and phone number.

How do I comply with the Victorian Government QR Code Service requirements if I have a permanent worksite, temporary worksite or mobile worksite?

Permanent worksite
Any permanent worksite such as an office must display the Service Victoria QR code in a place that allows visitors to easily check in, including at each entrance. If you have multiple permanent worksites (for example two offices and a showroom) you must register for a different QR code at each worksite.

Temporary worksite
A long-term temporary worksite, such as a construction site, must display a Service Victoria QR code in the same way as a permanent worksite. Every customer, worker and visitor must check-in. If you have multiple temporary worksites you must register for a different QR code for each worksite. 

Mobile worksite
Mobile worksites, such as a food or coffee truck, must display a Service Victoria QR code in a location on the vehicle (that is, at the window where customers order).  When workers interact face-to-face with a customer, they should ask them to check-in using the Service Victoria QR code in the same way they would if they were entering a business. Your workers do not need to use a different QR code as they move locations, but if you have multiple mobile worksites (that is, multiple trucks) you must register for a different QR code for each mobile worksite. 

How do I comply with the Victorian Government QR Code Service requirements if my workers visit customers’ homes?

If you or your workers visit customers’ or clients’ homes, you do not need to provide a QR code for the residents or customers to check-in. This is because a customer’s home is not a workplace that the employer controls. 

What is required at shopping centre entrances to encourage customers to check-in?

Shopping centres and large retail facilities should endeavour to ensure that everyone checks-in with the Service Victoria QR code. Shopping centres and large retail facilities are required to have QR codes prominently displayed at all entrances.  Staff members must request that customers check-in using the Service Victoria app as they enter main entrances (entrances with high volumes of foot traffic).  Shopping centres and large retail facilities should also consider other methods of reminding customers to check-in, such as regular PA announcements and signage in busy walkways.

Large retail facilities are defined as those with greater than 2000 square metres of publicly accessible floorspace.
 

Interstate travel FAQs

If I am required to get a COVID-19 test for work or essential travel, can I get tested without having symptoms?  

Yes. If you’re getting a COVID-19 test for work or essential travel, you need to get tested even if you do not have any symptoms.

 

Industry FAQs

Allied Health FAQs

I operate an allied health private practice. Do I need to use the Victorian Government QR Code Service in my workplace? 
 
Yes, all businesses in Victoria must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service in the workplace, except for essential support groups and health services where confidentiality is typically required. These exceptions do not apply to allied health private practices unless they are providing services that require confidentiality (for example, to survivors of family violence or child protection clients).

Given the transmission risks posed by primary care practitioners and settings, allied health private practices must ensure they adhere to their record keeping obligations. Businesses who are not using the Victorian Government QR Code Service at their premises risk fines.

See About the free Service Victoria QR Code app for further information and a full list of exceptions.

I operate an allied health private practice from my residential address. Can I continue to operate?

Yes, if this is your usual place of business. However, telehealth remains the preferred method of service delivery wherever clinically appropriate.

COVIDSafe requirements apply to your business. These include having a COVIDSafe Plan and complying with requirements on record keeping, density quotients, face masks and cleaning.

You must make sure clients know they are not to attend their appointment if they are unwell or show any symptoms of COVID-19, however mild. They should stay home and get tested. If they do attend while unwell, you must have a procedure to manage this.

It is recommended that the practice:

• have a separate entry from the residence, and
• have separate space, with separate facilities from the residence.

All COVIDSafe principles should apply to the work premises, including maintaining physical distancing where possible and encouraging regular hand hygiene. 

 I operate an allied health private practice. What are the density quotients for my premises under current restrictions? 
 
A density quotient of one person per four square metres applies to all healthcare premises, except hospitals. This requirement extends to treating rooms, staff offices, administration offices and waiting areas.

 I operate an allied health private practice. Can I provide group therapies or interventions? 

Yes, face-to-face group interventions are permitted. However, we recommend providing individual interventions where possible.

Telehealth remains the preferred method of service delivery wherever clinically appropriate.

Arts and entertainment FAQ's

How is a discrete outdoor space defined at an outdoor non-seated entertainment venue, such as the zoo? 

A discrete outdoor space means a space where crowds gather outside as an audience or participants in a shared activity. The crowding should be intended rather than incidental.  

In a zoo, for instance, a discrete outdoor space would be an amphitheatre where an animal demonstration takes place or outside an enclosure during a scheduled animal feeding. But it would not include the shared footpath between amphitheatres or a track outside an animal exhibit. 

In these cases, there is a density quotient of one person per four square metres but no capacity limit. For seated outdoor spaces that do not form a discrete outdoor space the seated capacity limit is 300 people (with a group limit of 10 people), for non-seated outdoor spaces there is no capacity limit. 

 

Construction FAQs

Is building, construction and renovation work allowed to continue?   

Yes. All indoor and outdoor construction and renovation work can continue at occupied and unoccupied premises. 

Office-based work is capped at 25 per cent or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is greater. A density quotient of one person per four square metres applies in shared spaces and publicly accessible areas. 

Workers must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors at all times, unless they have a lawful reason not to wear one.  

 

Creative studios FAQs

What is the definition of a creative studio? 

A creative studio is a workplace for artists or other creative professionals.  
It is a dedicated space and may include specialised equipment, such as lighting, sound or editing equipment, or facilities, such as a sprung floor.  

Creative studios may include those for visual arts and craft, recording, game development, fashion design and rehearsals of drama, dance or music).

 

 

 

Offices FAQs

Do I need to reintroduce workforce bubbles and ensure physical distancing in the office? 

No, you do not need to reintroduce workforce bubbles for office workers, but workers should maintain 1.5 metre physical distancing where possible.  

Which workers count as part of the return to office cap? 

All workers, employees, subcontractors (and their workers), and volunteers are counted as part of the cap.  

Workers on site because they cannot work from home are not included when calculating your return to office.

 

Pet and animal welfare FAQs 

Can pet groomers continue to operate? 

From 11:59 pm on Tuesday 20 July 2021, mobile pet grooming services are permitted to operate if they:  

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• can operate solely outdoors
• can operate in a contactless way, and
• can maintain physical distancing at all times.

From 11:59 pm on Tuesday 27 July 2021, all forms of pet grooming services may operate. 
 
I am a dog walker, can I continue my work? 

Dog walking services are permitted if they operate in a contactless way. Dog walkers should maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres at all times and must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors, unless they have a lawful reason not to wear one. 

 

Property, real estate and strata FAQs

Do owners’ corporations of residential buildings need to use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service? 

Yes. Owner’s corporation must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service through the Service Victoria app. Residents, workers and visitors are only required to check-in if they access areas such as gyms, pools, cinemas and other communal facilities. They are not required to check-in to access individual residential apartments or common property areas such as lifts, foyers, and hallways. 

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, residents, and visitors are encouraged to wear face masks when in common areas of the building. Workers must wear a face mask indoors and out.  

For more information about QR codes, please see Checking in with QR Codes. 

Can auctions operate during the current restrictions?  

Yes, indoor and outdoor auctions can be held on-site with a density quotient of one person per four square metres or 100 members of the public, whichever is fewer. A COVID Check-in Marshal must be onsite at all times to ensure attendees check-in using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service through the Service Victoria app. For more information about QR codes, please see Checking in with QR Codes. 

The minimum number of people required to conduct and broadcast the auction and the owners/residents of the property are not included in the density quotient. 

Can inspections times be advertised? 

Yes, as long as the inspection is conducted in line with current restrictions. An appointment is required.   

Can inspections for appraisals for sale be conducted? 

Yes, but the inspection must be conducted in a contactless way. Only the minimum number of people required to undertake the appraisal are permitted on-site.  

Can styling and professional photos or videos be taken for marketing purposes? 

Yes, photographic or video services are permitted for work purposes. Photo shoots and condition reports are permitted in consultation with residents. Any necessary marketing services (for example, photography, videography, and stylists and rental furniture providers) should be limited to one agent and one service provider. Agents should not accompany the service provider unless necessary for access.  

 

 

Retail trade FAQs

Are retail businesses required to display a Victorian Government QR code? 

Yes. All businesses in Victoria must use the free Victorian Government QR code Service, unless an exemption applies. 

All retail customers, workers and visitors must check-in with the Service Victoria app, no matter how long they are at the premises. A 15-minute threshold for checking in no longer applies.  

Business owners who are not using the Victorian Government QR Code Service at their premises risk fines. 

Having access to fast and accurate contact information for anyone who has visited a COVID-19 public exposure site is vital to help contact tracers contain an outbreak quickly.

Retail businesses include supermarkets, retail stores, retail shopping centres, and markets or market stalls.  

The QR codes on display should be at least 100 square millimetres at the entrances and 50 square millimetres at points of sale. You can download your QR codes when you register for the free Victorian Government QR Code Service.  You can also download other COVIDSafe posters, signs and templates. 

My business offers ‘click and collect’ for customers. Is it mandatory for ‘click and collect’ customers to check in using the Victorian Government QR Code Service?  

‘Click and collect’ customers must check in using the Service Victoria app if they enter a venue at any point or spend any time in an assigned indoor collection area while waiting to collect their purchase.  

You should display the Victorian Government QR Code at the entrance of the collection area. For instructions on using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service, please go to QR code app and digital record keeping for contact tracing. 

Do businesses need to record the details of ‘drive-through’ or ‘drive-and-collect’ customers?

No. Customers who visit your premises for the sole purpose of collecting takeaway food at a drive-through window do not have to check-in, although it is encouraged. 

Similarly, customers who ‘drive-and-collect’ goods other than takeaway food are not required to check-in as long as they do not enter the venue or leave their car, and use a contactless form of collection. 

 

Sport, exercise and physical recreation FAQs

Is training for professional sport allowed under current restrictions?  

Yes, training for professional sport is allowed. 

Who is included as a professional or high-performance sportsperson?  

A professional sportsperson means a person who meets one or more of the following criteria: 

• performs their sporting activity in an open-aged national or international competition (at the highest level as identified by the recognised national body)
• employed to perform that sporting activity as their primary source of income (e.g. employed by a professional club or recognised national body)
• holds a National Institute Network Scholarship or equivalent level national categorised athlete.

Can I continue to play community sport under the current restrictions? 

Yes, community sport is open for all ages, training and competition. A density quotient of one person per four square metres applies.  

Community sport is limited to the minimum number of people required to participate in and facilitate the activity. This includes teachers, instructors, trainers, coaches, umpires, and carers, parents and guardians attending to support participation of a child or a person with a disability. 

General spectators are not permitted. 

 

Tourism and accommodation FAQs

If a business needs to book multiple rooms at an accommodation facility, is this classified as one booking or several?  

A booking refers to a single room or premises. There may be several bookings in one transaction. Where a business books multiple rooms for its workers in one hotel, these are considered different bookings.  

 

Victorian Alpine Resorts

What are the COVID-19 test requirements for Victorian Alpine Resorts? 

Visitors and workers must receive a negative COVID-19 test result before arriving at a Victorian Alpine Resort to be allowed entry. This does not apply to children under 12 years of age. 

• Visitors must have a COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before arriving at an alpine resort. Visitors must get retested if they leave and re-enter the alpine resort, and more than 72 hours has passed since taking the COVID-19 test. 
• Workers must have a COVID-19 test no more than 7 days before entering an alpine resort. Workers must get re-tested if they leave and re-enter the alpine resort, and more than 7 days has passed since taking the COVID-19 test. 

Exceptions to the COVID-19 test requirement for Victorian Alpine Resorts apply when a person: 

 

• is required to travel to an alpine resort to deliver an essential service, for emergency purposes or to escape harm or risk of harm (including harm relating to family violence or violence of another person at the alpine resort), and it is not possible to take the test
• cannot take a COVID-19 test because of a disability, illness or medical condition 
• ordinarily resides at the alpine resort, or 
• travels to or through the alpine resort to attend school or transport a child to a school.  

Alpine resort staff, authorised officers or Victoria Police may ask to see evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result such as a text message, email, or print copy. Workers must provide evidence of a negative test within 7 days of entering an Alpine Resort. Workers must also show evidence of employment at the resort such as a  letter from their employer or a payslip. 

Visitors and workers are not allowed to enter Victorian Alpine Resorts without proof of a negative COVID-19 test. 

If someone is travelling to multiple resorts, or up and down the mountain because they are staying off-mountain, they must still show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result in line with the above requirements. 
 

 

Other FAQs

What are the restrictions for home-based businesses?  

Home-based businesses must follow the rules that apply to their industry workplace. This includes:  

• having a COVIDSafe Plan that follows relevant density quotients and specific industry requirements
• using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service and ensuring customers check-in with the Service Victoria app  
• following current face mask requirements   
• applying the six principles of COVIDSafe workplaces, including cleaning, displaying signage and physical distancing.   

 
Home-based businesses should ensure workers get tested for COVID-19 if unwell (even if they show only mild symptoms).  

Are indoor home services allowed under current restrictions? 

Yes, indoor home services (such as domestic cleaners and trades people) are permitted at occupied and unoccupied homes. Workers must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors, unless they have a lawful reason not to wear one and should maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres at all times.  

Are there any restrictions to cleaning, maintenance and service works? 

No. All aspects of maintenance and service works can continue. This includes indoor work. 

Workers must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors, unless they have a lawful reason not to wear one. 

Can display homes, sales suites, and colour selection centres open?  
  
Yes, these are allowed to open but must operate under a density quotient of one person per four square metres.  

If a building is used as a place of worship and by community groups for non-religious purposes, is it a community facility or a place of worship for the purposes of capacity limits? 

The relevant capacity limit on a building will generally depend on what it is being used for. When a building is being used for religious activities, it is a place of worship, and the capacity limit for places of worship applies. When a community group uses the same building as a community centre, community hall or youth centre, the building is a community facility. When used as a community facility, the venue may open in line with community facilities capacity limits. For a list of up to date restrictions and capacity limits on venues and facilities, please see the restriction table. 

Can car washes open?   

From 11:59 pm on Tuesday 27 July 2021, car washes (including those operating as part of petrol stations) are permitted to operate.  

Are commercial car parks allowed to open?  

From 11:59 pm on Tuesday 27 July 2021, car parks are permitted to operate.  

Are letter box drops allowed to continue? 

From 11:59 pm on Tuesday 27July 2021, the delivery of pamphlets and advertising material to outdoor mailboxes may continue.  

Workers must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors, unless they have a lawful reason not to wear one, and should maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres at all times.