Australians who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 are 'likely' to be banned from many workplaces and venues like pubs and cafes, experts warn.
No broad vaccine mandates exist in Australia yet with only 19 per cent fully vaccinated, but are already in place for some high-risk workers.
Aged care staff and anyone in the quarantine system were ordered to get the jab by September after multiple outbreaks began with unvaccinated workers.
Australians who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 are 'likely' to be banned from their workplaces and public life following moves in the United States
Despite there being no broad vaccine mandate for the general public in Australia, experts say specific high-risk workplaces may require vaccination in the future
This is likely to be expanded to other high-risk industries and eventually many other companies as a condition of employment, experts told the ABC.
Google and Facebook already require staff to get vaccinated to work in their US offices, and will likely make the same demand in Australia before long.
President Joe Biden on Friday announced US federal employees in law enforcement to the postal service will be required to sign a declaration they were vaccinated.
The administration declared those who were not inoculated would have to wear a mask and would be subject to regular testing and strict social-distancing rules.
Qantas boss Alan Joyce recommended a similar mandate in Australia, by calling for compulsory jabs for all airline employees for the safety of passengers and staff.
'We believe Covid vaccination should be a requirement for all aviation workers,' he told Radio National Breakfast on Friday.
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce also argued businesses should have the power to reject unvaccinated patrons.
Mr Joyce told Sky News vaccines would provide business owners more freedom when it came to protecting themselves against Covid-19.
'People in private enterprise are going to say look I've got rights here too,' he said.
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce (pictured) has also argued that businesses should have the power to reject unvaccinated patrons
The deputy prime minister said vaccines gave businesses more powers when it came to protecting themselves, staff and customers against Covid-19
'If you want to come into my barbershop, or my childcare facility… then I have a right to say, maybe, "have you been inoculated?"
'And if you say you haven't, I have got a right as the owner of the shop to say I can't have you sitting in a seat next to someone who has.'
The Fair Work Ombudsman said most employers not in high-risk industries would not at present be able to demand vaccination - but this could change with government regulations.
'In the current circumstances, the overwhelming majority of employers should assume that they can't require their employees to be vaccinated against coronavirus,' it said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison changed
