Following a thorough review of the effectiveness of its COVID-19 health and safety controls, the latest scientific evidence and expert health advice, BHP will introduce vaccination as a condition of entry to its Australian sites and offices effective no later than 31 January 2022. 

All workers and visitors seeking access to BHP workplaces in Australia will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. BHP workplaces in NSW (e.g. Mt Arthur Coal) will introduce this controls sooner considering local risk factors and the Company will also comply with recently announced public health orders in WA and Victoria relevant to the resources sector. 

BHP Minerals Australia President Edgar Basto said: “The science is clear that widespread vaccination saves lives. In line with Government guidance, we recognise the path forward is through widespread vaccination in Australia and we are looking at a range of practical ways to support that while protecting communities and workforces.

“We have undertaken a thorough assessment and believe that this is the right path forward to protect the health of our people, their families and the communities where we operate – including remote Indigenous communities – while continuing to safely run our operations. We know this raise will questions for some, and we will work closely with our workforce as we go through the process of implementing these controls at our workplaces.”

Today’s decision comes as BHP continues to support regional vaccination programs in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, including:

• An on-site vaccination trial at the Mt Arthur Coal mine NSW – an official pilot with the National COVID-19 Vaccination Taskforce and a first for the Australian resources sector, which is boosting local vaccination rates and informing future workplace-based programs across Australia.
• Funding a new vaccination hub in Central Queensland that has already delivered more than 2000 jabs.
• Working with the SA Health Department’s mobile vaccination service to support vaccinations at Olympic Dam in South Australia. 
• Working with WA Health Department to increase vaccination rates in the Pilbara.