CLASS ACTIONS

QPS COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Class Action: Are You a Group Member?

Over the weekend, notices were published in newspapers across Queensland regarding a class action commenced against the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the State of Queensland. The class action concerns the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate imposed on QPS officers and staff, and it may affect you even if you’re no longer serving.

This article explains what the class action is about, who qualifies as a Group Member, and what to do next.

What Is the QPS COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Class Action?

The class action has been commenced in the Supreme Court of Queensland by Lead Plaintiffs Della Merrett, Shane Pokai and Deborah Pokai, against the State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) and the former Police Commissioner, Katarina Ruzh Carroll APM.

The Lead Plaintiffs allege misfeasance in public office, negligence and/or breach of statutory duty in connection with the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate imposed under Commissioner’s Direction No.12 and Instrument of Commissioner’s Direction No.14 (the COVID-19 Directions), and the loss and damage this caused to the Lead Plaintiffs and Group Members.

Who Is a Group Member?

You are a Group Member if, between 7 September 2021 and 12 December 2022, you were a QPS Police Officer or QPS staff member, and one of the following three categories applied to you.

1. Vaccine Refusal Group Members

You refused to comply with one or more of the requirements of the COVID-19 Directions, and were, or would have been, liable to be subjected to disciplinary action under Chapter 6 of the Public Service Act 2008 (Qld), or Part 7, Part 7A or Part 8 of the Police Service Administration Act 1990 (Qld), by reason of your non-compliance with one or more of the requirements of the COVID-19 Directions.

2. Vaccine Coercion Group Members

You complied with the requirements of the COVID-19 Directions under duress, coercion, undue influence or a practical compulsion, and but for the COVID-19 Directions you would not have received any dose of the COVID-19 vaccination (including a booster dose), and you did not seek a medical exemption.

3. Refused Medical Exemption Group Members

You applied for, but were refused, an exemption from complying with the requirements of the COVID-19 Directions on medical grounds, and upon being refused an exemption, you complied with the requirements of the COVID-19 Directions to be vaccinated — but only did so under duress, coercion, undue influence or a practical compulsion, and but for the COVID-19 Directions and being refused an exemption, you would not have received any dose of the COVID-19 vaccination (including a booster dose).

If you fall into one of these three categories, you are a Group Member.

Opt-Out Deadline

Group Members are automatically included in the class action unless they opt out. The Court has ordered that any person who wishes to have no part in the proceeding must opt out by 4:00pm on 18 September 2026 (the Opt-Out Deadline), otherwise they will not be able to bring a separate, individual claim covering the same conduct.

How to Register Your Interest

If you are a Group Member and want to join the QPS class action, we strongly recommend you register your interest as soon as possible at sibleylawyers.com.au/class-actions.

If you’re unsure whether you meet the Group Member criteria, our team can help you work through your circumstances against the three categories above.

Essential Services Team

Sibley Lawyers acts for QPS officers, QAS paramedics and other public sector and essential services workers facing legal, disciplinary or employment consequences arising from the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate and related matters. If you served during the relevant period and believe you may be affected, contact us early to discuss your position.

Notes for review

• This article is based on the FB post text supplied plus the published legal notice details already on file (Supreme Court proceeding, Lead Plaintiff names, Defendants, Directions No.12/14, and the 4:00pm 18 September 2026 Opt-Out Deadline). Please confirm the opt-out deadline and proceeding details against the final Notice to Group Members before publishing, as this wasn’t restated in the FB copy you provided.
• Written to combined SEO/GEO standard: descriptive H1/H2/H3 structure, legislation cited by name and section, firm contact details included, Essential Services Team referenced, and a clear registration CTA — all to support both search ranking and AI-tool discoverability.