Link updated to form (as of 08/04)
In recognition of their support to our community, we’re proud to say thanks to Australia’s health workers by waiving their Postpaid mobile access fees for 3 months. Eligible new and existing Optus customers will be able to apply through an online form available next week until 30 April 2020. More information about specific eligibility criteria will be released shortly. We will continue to post updates here.
Mod: See all Healthcare Worker deals
IF the healthcare workers are looking at overseas infection rates (e.g. 15% of infections in Spain are healthcare workers) and are faced with the lack of personal protective equipment particularly in primary care settings then yes many are very concerned and would have shut the borders in early February.
Even receptionists at your local clinic are likely to be worried.
I did say "I'm hoping", but I was talking about front-line staff in hospital, working with suspected or confirmed cases.
My local clinic is not even seeing anyone with respiratory symptoms, and some GPs seem to be raking it in with Telehealth.
I'd be interested to know how many Spanish health-care workers who are infected end up needing critical care. Fatigue could be a contributing factor. We are not there yet in Australia.
Idk but I just heard today about some virus that's been going around. Not sure what it would have to do with health care workers though.
Workers like hairdressers, childcare workers, delivery drivers, emergency services workers, supermarket employees, they’re no ‘at risk’ too, if that truly is what this ‘gesture’ is about?
No comparison. Hairdressers are not cutting hair of people with coughs and fever. And unlike health-care workers, they should be sitting this out!
Drivers are low risk, with suitable precautions.
Healthcare workers are obviously at greatest risk, but yes there are obviously other professions at risk. Regardless, no need to be cynical, they're giving out free data and you didn't lose anything from this
Difference is Healthcare workers cant just turn around now and say i dont wanna risk COVID19 im staying home. If you do pretty much any other job you are going in for the money which is important but essentially you dont have too do it…. but if the health care sector said f__k this s__t and walked off the job the whole country will be f__ked
i think what JV is trying to say is,
yes health care workers are at high risk
but there are many industries right now that are jobless, incomeless and potentially on the edge of bankruptcy.
maybe 3 months free for them would also be great
health care workers are doing the work they've chosen to do and still have a job and getting paid.
maybe optus would consider waiving fees to those people impacted who can no longer afford to pay all their bills. That would be a fairer gesture…
@jv: Fact is, many would rather choose not to go into high risk areas like covid ward or operating theatres if they were given a choice, even if they were getting paid. But they do it coz someone has to do it.. somebody has to treat these patients who are dying.
Fact is, many would rather choose not to go into high risk areas like covid ward or operating theatres if they were given a choice
Fact is, most chose their vocation.
Just like other dangerous occupations, eg. police, firemen, politicians etc…
@jv: I fail to see how whether they choose to be a nurse or not is relevant to anything?
I think you know full well why it's health workers only (there has to be a cut off somewhere, and they've chosen the people who are directly saving lives and are at higher risk) though, you're just being your normal unpleasant self.
I fail to see how whether they choose to be a nurse or not is relevant to anything?
Exactly, so why discriminate?
Just like other dangerous occupations, eg. police, firemen, politicians etc…
Yep and they get perks that other in society don't receive. Same as this.
JV, what's your stance on Military veterans getting veterans discounts?
JV, what's your stance on Military veterans getting veterans discounts?
I rarely use them.
@jv: No, I was asking if you are entitled to veteran discounts.
Now that's cleared up, are you entitled to veteran discounts?
@jv: Settle down Karen.
Using your same logic, fact is, those who are currently out of work at the moment, chose their vocation knowing that their job is expendable.
So why should companies be offering them discounts now when they can't pay their bills? They chose to work in their profession.
@jv: Whilst I think all these healthcare worker deals are too much since for 90% of nurses, their job is completely normal and our numbers are abysmal compared to some countries, how many nurses signed up or were even trained to deal with a pandemic at this scale?
I don't know what your profession is but if suddenly your risk of dying increased, your level of workload increased and your level of abused increase, you would be saying 'well I didn't sign up for this' as well
you would be saying 'well I didn't sign up for this'
They actually did sign up for this.
Nobody forced them to be a nurse.
There are lots of jobs out there much more dangerous than being a doctor or nurse. Eg. A police officer. a fireman, a soldier, a politician….
@jv: yes, there is the standard expected job that people sign up for that has been the same for the past 100 years and then there's in the case of a pandemic. Are you saying if you don't want to possibly be working 16 hours a day, risking your life and seeing bodies every you turn like in Italy or America, then you shouldn't be a nurse?
I meant if your job changed so drastically overnight, no one would blame you for having that response, well except people like you. I love these responses though 'nobody forced them to be a nurse' 'nobody forced them to be firefighters' it's like you just want everyone to quit except recognising the significance.
Even if firefighters signed up for their job, I don't look at the recent bushfires and go 'well they signed up for this'. It's completely disrespectful and I appreciate that this is beyond their normal job and what they signed up for. It's something that might happen but it doesn't make the event or their work any less significant.
I don't even understand how you can be saying this stuff. You seem like the type of person who thrives online from making comments like this. This gives your life meaning, this is how you define your importance, you think your opinion carries such significant weight trying to be a heartless, soulless smartass trying to undermine people actually working and saving lives. It's actually pathetic and if you can't put yourselves in their shoes, don't stop other people trying to appreciate them. They're not using your money and they're entitled to give you (profanity) all. You know darn well deep down inside how pitiful your existance is, how you wish you were more like them. You're jealous and wish you had their lime light, their respect. No one cares about you and this is the only way you get any interaction or anyone to notice you. There are plenty of nurses on this thread that don't want it. They don't ask for it, they just want proper ppe, they understand that it's part of their job but we should recognise that what is happening in Italy, America, UK is NOT what people imagined nursing to be despite you think the definition of the job is.
want to possibly be working 16 hours a day, risking your life and seeing bodies every you turn
Hospitals in Australia have been less busy and less deaths have been recorded in the last month compared to recent years. You are delusional if you think they are risking their lives. Unless they are nurses over 80 years old…
@jv: No you're right, like you I agree that all this is too much and it's too directed. It's your other comments, specifically your comment of 'They signed up for it' that transcends Australia and nursing in general. I mentioned it was in Italy if you actually read it but it could have very well, and still might, be Australia. We dodged a bullet. Because even if they signed up for it, it's to save lives and help others, then, when there's people who appreciate what they do, there are inconsequential people like you who will try to undermine it and prevent it. See what I'm getting at? They don't need YOU to tell them what THEY signed up for nor do people who show gratitude need you to tell them what they should or shouldn't do either. You're irrelevant in the exchange between these two parties. Get over yourself and just hope you don't end up in hospital with corona being treated by one of these people who 'signed up for it' because it will change your mind when you're lying their on the verge of death and everytime these health workers come to help you, you natrually feel immense gratitude (if they're good nurses) but if you don't then you're just a piece of entitled shit.
@jv: Optus can choose who they want to say thank you to
This is not a welfare gesture but a gesture to show that they appreciate health care workers.
Don't make assumptions about health care workers choice. I don't many want to work in setting and are not doing it for the pay but the duty which is associated with there profession.
Good-hearted company? Or a company looking to boost its popularity??
Gift horse in the mouth.
There is a terrible virus. Symptoms include cough, fever, and excessive use of bold font.
Dupe
FWIW
Rival Vodafone will also come to the table to support health workers, offering two months of free phone service to registered practitioners to help them “get on with the vital work they’re doing” to fight
What about other essential workers, everyone’s got a hard on for the nurses but supermarket staff get paid less and the COVID-19 risk is still high…
Totally agree but not taking away from nurses etc. It seems that all deals are directed only to healthcare workers where there are many others putting themselves in the frontline to keep things running while we hide away.
Working in healthcare, I’m getting to the point that these things are a bit much. Thanks but let’s just move along now.
Actually nice to come home from work (healthcare) and know that peyote truly appreciate what we do. Shoutout to everyone who's working in these difficult times across many industries.
Just like the firies only a few months ago, people always have respect for the likes of doctors and especially nurses, but it often takes a catastrophe for them to be openly celebrated.
I would love some peyote when I get home from work
As a healthcare worker, this is a very nice gesture.
But also as a healthcare worker, I don't have to worry about loss of income due to staff cuts or businesses failing. I can probably keep paying my normal mobile bill.
Save the free service for those experiencing financial hardship, and just give me a shitload of extra data (which would be pretty helpful) or something.
👍
we don't need it, we still have jobs. poorly aimed PR.
Yeah as a health care professional I think we all echo that we don't need any free things. Either give these benefits for those that truly need the help (e.g recently unemployed ect) or instead donate PPE to essential workers (not just health care).
The same time as I can see it
Optus has updated the description
To apply, customers will need to provide their current AHPRA registration number, which matches the name on their monthly bill.
It sucks that the industry I’m in has been thinking of getting AHPRA but hasn’t done so yet (non-clinical profession in healthcare).
There's so many individuals that are on the front line that are AHPRA aren't register.
Examples
The engineer who has ensured that a hospitals self isolation rooms ventaltion is working as expected or if there's an issue
The receptionist at the ward managing all the beds and people moves; registrations and admissions.
The team wheeling around food to the patients….
When someone needs to go fix a printer. In a ward that is used to print prescriptions…
These guys have a vital role in the chain but not acknowledged
I mean these guys are great offering this. But it's narrow. And this isn't a go at Optus it's more in general offering these sort of offerings. don't get me wrong it's great! But using AHPRA and the evidence?
I think all of those are vital roles, however the clinicians on the frontline with prolonged close contact with patients are, like firefighters in a crisis, putting themselves in harms way. Repeatedly.
Good job Optus! Should be extended to other essential workers like teachers, police and corrections staff
Pretty much everybody working is essential.
Do nurses eat?
Do they need petrol?
Anyone work out how to actually apply for this?
Their website says an online form available this week.
yeah, can't find it either. They must be still working on it.
Bah, AHPRA registration number requirement is a bit restrictive. My wife works in a patient facing clerical role in the ED and in the coronavirus clinic at a major public hospital and has had contact with confirmed cases, but her role doesn't require AHPRA registration.
That being said we are both still getting paid and in a better position than those now out of work. Hopefully Optus is being understanding of those less fortunate.
Still not available.
'Next Week' hasn't arrived yet.
It was announced ’last week’
Thanks!
There is no ACTIVATE icon after completion of the form. Have you applied?
Solved it! Use Firefox.
Thanks! Updated the OP.
Only for front line staff as only front line staff have AHRPA numbers. Reckon this is worth going into the title OP?
Had anyone got their discount applied? I receive an email saying they'll get in contact within 5 days but it's been over a week now and haven't heard back.
Email said 5 business days but the long weekend happened…
I got my confirmation email on the 8th, so hopefully hear back tomorrow or Monday.
Just got an sms this morning saying charges have been waived!
@ballistykx: Oh nice.
I’m just received my bill, to be debited on the 2nd May.
Hopefully I get that sms too.
@digitalbath: Got my bill and 1 out of 3 of my services was rebated, I wonder why they asked for all services on the form.
Just got a sms saying I’ve been approved.
Switched over to optus from telstra and got approved for this deal but what a shocker when we tested the download speed. Am getting over 300mbps via telstra mobile and only got ~4mbps via optus mobile. Speed tested on same mobile and same location. Am in rural vic so not sure if things differ in metro areas.
Complained to optus done all the resets and new sim but to no avail.
Whinging done and just a quick note for anyone looking at this deal. Cheerios.
Lots of things that can influence download speeds, I've managed to optimise my connection by limiting it to certain frequencies and towers, have you looked at your nearest tower and what frequencies it supports?
yeah definitely alot of factors. speed improves slightly when outdoors or when tested in another building. not too sure how to limit frequencies or towers unfortunately. all good, probably will just port out to Telechoice or Telstra I reckon.
Health-care workers seeing all these offers are going to be asking themselves "Should I be more scared?".
Answer depends on your age and pre-existing conditions, but I'm hoping that with PPE, healthcare workers are exposed to a small initial viral load, and so are at lower risk than the average person who gets this from a close contact.