Thousands of healthcare workers due to go on unpaid leave under vaccine mandate

In New South Wales, thousands of healthcare workers are set to be taken off the job and placed on unpaid leave, as the state's vaccine mandate comes into effect.

Health workers outside the Covid Vaccination hub at Macquarie Fields, south west of Sydney Source: AAP

It's been over 200 days since Australia's vaccine rollout began on February 22nd.

But now time has run out for 140,000 healthcare workers in New South Wales to get vaccinated.

From September 30th, all staff must have had at least one dose, or be placed on unpaid leave.

According to New South Wales Health, as of Monday,  94 per cent of the state's workforce have received one vaccine and 86 per cent have had two doses.