vaccines will be mandatory for frontline workers from sydney hotspot lgas as testing is scrapped and the new rule could force thousands out of a job

Getting vaccinated will be a mandatory requirement for frontline workers in Sydney's hotspot local government areas from early September - and it could see thousands who don't wish to comply out of work.

The development follows a late rule change from the NSW government on Friday.

Previously, frontline workers had the option of rapid antigen testing as opposed to getting vaccinated.

'In line with the amended public health order, if an authorised worker is not vaccinated or does not have a medical contraindication form, they will not be able to work outside their LGA,' NSW Health said in a statement.

'Rapid antigen testing will no longer be an alternative to vaccination.'

Being vaccinated will soon be a mandatory requirement for frontline workers in Sydney's Covid-19 hotspots - and it could see thousands out of work (pictured, a man getting the jab in Sydney's west)

Frontline workers from the 12 LGA hot spots in Sydney previously had the option of rapid antigen testing (pictured, people lined up outside a vaccination clinic in western Sydney

The deadline to get the jab for frontline workers is now September 6, after unions and peak bodies reached an agreement with the government, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Originally the deadline was Monday August 30.  

The eleventh-hour change will now see a number of Sydney hospitals scrambling to book vaccinations for staff living in the 12 identified hotspots.

In further announcements, care workers 16 years and over who live in the hotspot LGAs must have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine before being able to work.

This includes those employed in early education and disability support. 

Another change will see authorised workers wanting to leave the area - or workers wanting to enter the area of concern - requiring a formal permit from Service NSW to do so.

The permit then needs to be renewed every two weeks. 

Earlier this week NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard stressed the importance of frontline workers being vaccinated as part of a mandate.

'Many health workers in NSW are already vaccinated but if all of our staff are vaccinated it will provide greater protection for patients, visitors and other health staff,' he said. 

'The public and private health systems have a responsibility to implement every possible measure to provide a safe work environment for their staff and most importantly, safe circumstances for their patients.'

NSW frontline health staff are already required to be vaccinated against contagious diseases including influenza, chickenpox, measles and whooping cough.

The NSW government have repeatedly stated mass vaccinations from the population will see life in Australia 'return to normal' 

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has stressed the importance of frontline workers being vaccinated