Divisions
- About the Tasmanian State Service
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Aboriginal employment
- Aboriginal Employment Strategy
- Aboriginal Employment Strategy Action Plan
- Aboriginal Employee Network - Terms of Reference
- Aboriginal Cultural Leave
- Aboriginal Family Relationships (leave entitlements)
- Aboriginal Employment Portal
- Guide for Acknowledgement & Welcome to Country
- Calendar of Aboriginal Significant Dates and Events
- Aboriginal Employment Newsletter
- Aboriginal Employee Network Gathering
- NAIDOC Week
- Aboriginal Employees and COVID-19 Information for Agencies
- COVID-19 Information for TSS Aboriginal Employees
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- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Staff
Contact Details
By phone
Find the number of a specific division or office to contact them directly or call Service Tasmania on 1300 135 513.
Our staff
Use the Tasmanian Government Directory to find staff contact details
Social media
Follow our social media accounts to keep up to date with specific programs and initiatives.
Aboriginal Employees and COVID-19 Information for Agencies
Page Last Updated: 11 January 2023 LA
Information about COVID-19 in Tasmania is now provided on the
Department of Health website - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The current COVID-19 risk level in Tasmania is MODERATE. (11 Jan 2023)
If you have a question about your particular circumstances,
please contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
Valuing Aboriginal employees
Aboriginal employees make a valuable contribution to a range of important functions that support essential government and community services.
Due to the current COVID-19 response, some Aboriginal employees will need to consult with their manager to identify their individual health and related needs, and alternative work arrangements may be required.
This information has been developed as a resource to support Agencies to make considered and informed decisions to support Aboriginal employees as a result of State and Federal responses and changing Agency priorities relating to COVID-19.
Initiating conversations with Aboriginal employees and their needs at this time, is one way to demonstrate a culturally respectful workplace and demonstrate that Aboriginal employees are valued in your workplace.
Tasmanian State Service (TSS) Aboriginal employees – what does this mean for Agencies?
It is recommended that Managers speak with Aboriginal employees to identify their needs and, if required, develop appropriate and flexible working arrangements in response to individual needs.
There is no one ‘right ‘or ‘correct’ way to support Aboriginal employees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic Individual support for Aboriginal employees relies on having, open and genuine conversations to identify case by case needs and consider a range of possible solutions. Managers and employees are encouraged to explore considered and flexible options to respond to an Aboriginal employee’s specific needs and concerns.
There are a range of situations that are supported in the same way for all TSS employees. For example, Aboriginal employees may have children at home and be supporting learning at home arrangements, or they may have caring responsibilities for family or household members who is in isolation (but remain well themselves).
The prevalence of chronic health issues amongst Aboriginal people may also result in an increased likelihood that Aboriginal employees need to care for a family member who is vulnerable and self-isolating, or that they may be in a vulnerable position themselves.
If required, depending on the nature of the work, it may be appropriate for Aboriginal employees to complete a risk assessment. Risk needs to be assessed and mitigated with consideration of the individual’s circumstances, the workplace and their role/work. This may include Aboriginal employees being redeployed to non-frontline based roles where appropriate. If there are any concerns or risks in relation to vulnerable workers, Managers and Aboriginal employees should consider alternate work arrangements.
Information to support Agency decision-making
Whilst all conversations with employees should recognise Aboriginal employee’s individual circumstances, there are a number of specific and unique factors that can impact Aboriginal employees that need to be taken into consideration. These factors include Aboriginal health and social determinates, Community, family and extended family cultural and relational responsibilities and expectations, holistic concepts of health and wellbeing, and the ability to self-determine needs within a decision-making process.
In addition to keeping Aboriginal people safe, ensuring that Aboriginal employees are appropriately supported is critical and can determine and reinforce trajectories related to Aboriginal employment, workplace cultural respect and safety, and the general valuing of Aboriginal employees within the TSS.
Tasmanian Government COVID-19 response
Please visit the Department of Premier and Cabinet Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage
Leave because of COVID-19
- Common Scenarios - Workforce Absences during COVID-19 | October 2022
- PPS: Arrangements for Employees in Isolation who Cannot Work From Home
Further information and resources
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
NACCHO Aboriginal health alerts - Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage
NACCHO provides up-to-date Aboriginal specific information relating to COVID-19. Aboriginal identified COVID-19 banner, tiles and other resources are available to download from this website.
Australian Government Aboriginal people and COVID-19
For information on COVID-19 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and information about how COVID-19 vaccines can be accessed, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.