Safety Protocols

The health and safety of our staff and visitors is our top priority, and we are strictly complying with public health directions to protect everyone who takes part in APA activities. APA is a COVID Safe organisation, and all programs are run with COVID Safe protocols in place.

The APA complies with all directives and safety measures outlined by the appropriate Government authorities nationally and in each state, and with their respective public health orders.  

Special conditions of entry

It is a requirement that all those attending APA programs and events in person must have had at least two doses of an approved recognised COVID-19 vaccine in order to attend. 

Proof of vaccination must be shown by all attendees, either with a digital certificate or a printed copy of their vaccination certificate with identification. 

All attendees must check in upon arrival, and proof of vaccination must be shown upon entry. For those unable to be vaccinated, proof of a valid medical exemption must be shown.

Attendees may be asked in advance to confirm by email that they meet these vaccination entry requirements. 

Further information

Detailed information on how to obtain proof of vaccination or valid medical exemption can be found on the Services Australia website.

“Attendees” is defined for the purposes of this policy as all those appearing in-person at the venue, at any time during the event. This includes ticket holders, participants, guests, commissioned contractors, APA staff, venue staff and invited speakers. 

The APA reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone unable to comply with the COVID Safe protocols.

Additional safety measures

  • Mask wearing is recommended, in line with state protocols and instructions. In settings where mask wearing is not legally mandated, the APA supports the preference to wear a mask.
  • Social distancing is encouraged. Observation of 1.5m physical distancing where possible is recommended when mixing or queueing, particularly during any breaks and networking.
  • Density limits required by public health orders and in place at the time of the event will be observed; this may mean alterations to anticipated occupancy limits for some events. 

Host venues

Every effort is made to ensure that venues selected to host APA events have clear and robust COVID Safe Plans in place, and that those plans align with public health orders and the APA’s own plans and policy.

Each venue provides the APA with a copy of their own COVID Safe plan and protocols, which may result in additional changes or restrictions being in place for particular events. Details of any additional restrictions required by the venue will be provided to attendees of those events.

What to do if you feel unwell

If you are unwell and can no longer attend

If you are no longer able to attend an APA event in-person due to COVID-19 symptoms or restrictions, contact the APA to discuss alternatives. These may include conversion of in-person tickets to online tickets, ticketing refunds, postponement or cancellation of your activity.

If you become unwell during an event 

If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms while attending an event, however mild, please seek a RAT or PCR test immediately and isolate until you receive a negative result. 

The Australian Department of Health maintains a list of COVID symptoms and what you should do if you test positive.

The APA will endeavour to provide RAT tests for those displaying symptoms at residential events; due to stock issues, this may not always be possible.

If you test positive during an event

If you receive confirmation of a positive COVID test while attending an event, please immediately isolate yourself, and seek medical attention if your symptoms develop. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000.) 

Once isolated, please notify a member of APA staff of your COVID positive result, using the contact information below. The APA will then endeavour to inform any close contacts, and will try to provide assistance if you are having difficulty in safely isolating in line with public health orders. The APA cannot accept any additional financial liabilities incurred by attendees needing to isolate or cancel in the event of a positive test.

If you need further information about COVID-19, call the helpline – open 24 hours and 7 days a week - on 1800 020 080.

Your responsibilities

All attendees are kindly requested to:

  • Read and understand the Special Conditions of Entry in this policy.
  • Ensure 1.5m physical distancing where possible when mixing or queueing, particularly during any breaks and networking.
  • Consider wearing a mask while at indoor events, if not legally mandated to do so.
  • Be considerate of others, who may have different risk tolerances.

If you believe you may have contracted or been exposed to COVID in any setting, including having been in an identified exposure site, you are asked to take all reasonable precautions in accordance with guidance from local health authorities.

We ask that you reconsider your attendance if you answer yes to any of the below points:

  • Do you have any COVID-19 like symptoms, however mild, including: fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste? If so, please get tested and quarantine until you receive your test results.
  • Have you had a COVID-19 test and are still waiting for the result? Please quarantine until you receive your test results.
  • Are you an active coronavirus (COVID-19) case? Please quarantine until you are cleared by medical advice.
  • In the last 7 days, have you been in close contact with:
    • any person diagnosed with COVID-19?
    • any person who has COVID-19 like symptoms, and has not been tested by health authorities and confirmed to be not carrying the virus?
  • In the last 7 days you have travelled from overseas?

General ticketing refund and transfer policy

Refunds can be requested up until 14 days prior to an event, minus a small administration fee. Transfers to colleagues are free. Please contact us to discuss.

Contacts

Questions or applications should be directed to the APA Office: 

Phone 02 9281 9788

Email: [email protected]