Vic nurse fined for COVID-19 violations

A Victorian nurse has been fined $25,000 for working at an aged care facility while positive with COVID-19. This case highlights the ongoing risk that non-compliance with health directives poses to vulnerable people in care settings.

The nurse was sentenced after pleading guilty to failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of persons at the Melbourne aged care home, reinforcing why strict adherence to safety protocols remains essential for every workplace.

What Happened in This COVID-19 Case

The Moorabbin Magistrates Court heard that the nurse worked multiple shifts after receiving a COVID-19 positive test result. Rather than isolating as required, continued attendance at work created a serious risk to elderly residents already vulnerable to severe illness.

Aged care residents face heightened risk from infectious disease due to age and existing health conditions, making strict compliance with isolation requirements a critical professional obligation for all staff entering these facilities.

WorkSafe's Response to the Breach

WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Narelle Beer said all Victorian workers must ensure their actions do not put others at risk.

"This includes cooperating with their employer's efforts to control health and safety risks by following any instructions, policies and procedures and using supplied protective equipment," Beer said.

Her comments serve as a clear notice to professional staff across Victoria that individual accountability remains central to workplace safety standards, particularly where COVID-19 exposure risk is involved.

Why This Case Matters for Care Providers

This fine demonstrates how seriously courts and regulators treat breaches of health and safety obligations within care environments. Employers and workers alike carry shared responsibility for minimising risk to those receiving care.

For organisations managing infection control, reviewing internal procedures against current COVID-19 documentation and compliance resources can help reduce exposure risk and support consistent professional conduct across teams.

Similar enforcement action has been seen elsewhere in the state, including cases such as Vic employers fined more than $17 million for workplace safety violations in 2025 and Vic stonemasonry firm fined for silica exposure risk, both underscoring Victoria's firm stance on workplace safety compliance.

Read the full story on the WorkSafe Victoria website.