(1)
A suitably qualified medical practitioner or nurse practitioner (an applicant) may apply to the Director-General for a COVID-19 vaccination exemption on behalf of a person specified in the application who is not vaccinated against COVID-19.
(2)
An application must be made in the form required by the Director-General and may be made only on the ground that the person on whose behalf the application is made (the person) meets the specified COVID-19 vaccination exemption criteria.
(3)
The person must—
certify that the information that they have provided to the applicant for the purposes of making the application is accurate; and
sign the application.
(4)
An application must be accompanied by a certificate signed by the applicant certifying that they—
have reviewed the person’s medical history and assessed the person’s state of health; and
have reasonable grounds for believing that the person meets the specified COVID-19 vaccination exemption criteria.
(5)
The applicant must state their grounds for believing that the person meets the specified COVID-19 vaccination exemption criteria.
(6)
On receiving an application, the Director-General may ask the applicant or person to provide any evidence or further information that the Director-General reasonably requires for the purposes of deciding whether to grant the application.
(7)
The Director-General may grant the application if the Director-General is satisfied, on the basis of the evidence or other information provided, that the person meets the specified COVID-19 vaccination exemption criteria.
(8)
A COVID-19 vaccination exemption is valid for the period that the Director-General determines, which must be no longer than 6 months.
(9)
The Director-General must notify the applicant and the person of the outcome of the application.
(10)
If the application is granted, the Director-General must—
enter the COVID-19 vaccination exemption in the COVID-19 vaccination record of the person; and
provide a copy of the COVID-19 vaccination exemption in written or electronic form to the applicant and person that states the date on which the exemption expires.
(11)
At any time before or after a COVID-19 vaccination exemption expires, a new application for a further exemption may be made under this clause by any medical practitioner or nurse practitioner on behalf of the person in respect of whom an exemption was granted.