Virgin Australia will make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory for all staff, which it says is necessary to protect employees, customers and the wider community.

The country’s second largest airline said all frontline workers - such as aircrew and airport staff - will need to be jabbed by November 15, and office-based workers will need to be vaccinated by March 31 next year.

Those deadlines match Qantas’, which announced last month vaccination would be a condition of employment at the larger airline.

Virgin said it would grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis for employees on medical grounds or other reasons “that can be substantiated”.

The airline said it developed several elements of its policy after consultation with unions and staff. That included:

- reimbursement of up to $100 for employees to visit a GP to discuss concerns about vaccinations

- up to two days of leave for members who feel unwell after their jab, if they have two days or less personal leave available

- an extension to the vaccination deadlines if an employee has not been able to access vaccines based on where they live or eligibility

- a clearer process for staff to claim an exemption on medical grounds

“This is the right policy for the extraordinary times we live in and is a decision that will keep our people safe,” said Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.

“We know this will be difficult for some of our people, but we have a responsibility to do our part to protect our people, the community and our way of life. Vaccination is the way to do that.

“Our guests can know that when they fly with us later this year, all of our frontline teams will be fully vaccinated.”