Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Queensland manufacturers and businesses have retooled and innovated to make high grade PPE to address the needs of the health sector and broader community.
The Queensland Government is working with local manufacturers to ensure we have sustainable ongoing supplies to support the state and ensuring PPE and medical equipment used by our front-line health workers is manufactured to specific standards.
Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program
On 19 May 2020, the Queensland Government announced up to $50 million has been redirected to help Queensland manufacturers make essential goods such as personal protective equipment, health consumables and devices.
The Essential Goods Supply and Chain Program is closed to new applications. Through the Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program we worked with industry to develop and expand manufacturing and production capacity of essential goods and to shore up the supply chain of essential goods.
Learn more about the Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program.
Medical face masks – some helpful information
- PPE such as medical face masks are vital for frontline workers who need to care for patients.
- Level 1 surgical masks are recommended to protect staff and/or the patient from droplet exposure to microorganisms. P2/N95 masks are to be used for aerosol-generating procedures or those patients with severe symptoms suggestive of pneumonia.
- Face masks or PPE which are claimed to be for therapeutic use are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Authority (TGA) under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
- Face masks are manufactured to high-grade specifications and subjected to careful testing to meet both TGA and Queensland Health’s identified requirements.
Homemade face masks – some helpful information
- Homemade masks may help the wearer refrain from touching their mouth, but they are not medical or surgical masks and do not meet the TGA’s or Queensland Health’s standards.
- Washing your hands properly, practicing social distancing and avoiding touching your face are the best ways to stop yourself from catching COVID-19.
- Queenslanders can continue to do their part by practicing good hygiene and staying home if sick.
More information
Last updated: 09 Nov 2021