‘It’s a restoration of our rights’: How a Sikh student’s advocacy led to an inclusive mask policy at Ambulance Victoria

Ambulance Victoria has introduced a new mask fit-testing pathway using the Singh Thattha technique. This allows paramedics who maintain facial hair for religious, cultural, or medical reasons to meet safety requirements. The change follows Monash University paramedic student Prabhjeet Singh Gill, 19, being denied a mask fit test due to his beard, an article of faith for Sikhs. The new approach ensures paramedics can maintain their beliefs while staying safe on the job.

Prabhjeet Singh Gill, a 19-year-old Monash University paramedic student. Credit: Prabhjeet Singh Gill.

Key Points

• Ambulance Victoria now has the most formalised approach to the Singh Thattha method.
• Prabhjeet lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission to ensure the exemption became a systemic change benefiting all staff and students.
• 'We regularly review our policies and have been expanding our respiratory protection options while maintaining safety,' says Ambulance Victoria.

The new policy accepts the Singh Thattha technique as an additional masking technique for Ambulance Victoria workers. The method is already accepted across several Australian states, in cases when standard mask fitting is not possible due to facial hair.

In a statement to SBS Punjabi, a spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria confirmed that the organisation is “building internal capacity” to support this change by training its respiratory protection team, with external fit-testing available during the transition.

This approach, they said, ensures that the staff continue to meet national infection prevention and control requirements while accommodating individual needs.

For Prabhjeet, the policy shift is less about personal victory and more about ensuring equal opportunity for all.

“I don’t consider it a win. It’s just a restoration of our rights. Nobody should have to fight a government organisation just for the right to maintain their religious identity," he said.

I think it sends a message that these organisations are willing (and) are able to provide change. It's just that sometimes they require a catalyst to encourage them to perform this change.

Prabhjeet Singh

"But Ambulance Victoria specifically, it does show that they are open to having an inclusive and diverse paramedic workforce. And I also want to thank Ambulance Victoria for coming to the table and agreeing to approve this new policy," he said.

Harmick Singh is the former secretary of Victorian Sikh Gurudwara Council. Credit: Supplied by Harmick Singh.

Harmick Singh, who previously lobbied for the cause when the Victorian Government approved an alternative method for health professionals to wear masks while keeping their beards intact, said he is happy with Ambulance Victoria’s new pathway.

Muslim, Jewish, and others who wear beards can now train and work as paramedics without compromising their religious or cultural identity

Harmick Singh

“Since this barrier is no longer in place, other students from the Sikh faith and other religions, too, will be able to complete their training and seek employment without having to compromise their identity,” he said.

Listen to this podcast to hear the full conversations.

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‘It’s a restoration of our rights’: How a Sikh student’s advocacy led to an inclusive mask policy at Ambulance Victoria

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