Department of Health

The Victorian Government is committed to increasing access to vaccination for all Victorians, and ensuring there are a range of vaccination options that are convenient and available to protect those people most at risk of vaccine-preventable disease.

A number of health professionals are authorised to administer vaccines in Victoria, including general practitioners, nurse immunisers, nurse practitioners and pharmacist immunisers. From 21 August 2023, registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner (ATSIHP) immunisers will be authorised to administer vaccines under the written instruction of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or authorised midwife.

The circumstances under which health professionals are authorised to administer vaccines varies, and is defined by their scope of practice, the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017. Information about requirements for nurse immunisers, pharmacist immunisers, and soon registered ATSIHP immunisers in Victoria is available on this page.

The National Immunisation Education Framework for Health Professionals

The National Framework is a set of minimum curriculum content requirements and must be used as a resource by those involved in immunisation program management and education to assist with the planning and implementation of immunisation education strategies for eligible health professionals at undergraduate or post-graduate level, or through in-service modes of education.

National Immunisation Education Framework for Health ProfessionalsExternal Link

Health Education Services Australia

The Commonwealth Department of Health has established a single point of entry for immunisation education provider courses seeking to be accredited against the National Immunisation Education Framework for Health Professionals. Health Education Services Australia (HESA)External Link will undertake the accreditation of immunisation education programs against the National Framework.

A central national register of accredited immunisation education programs will be maintained on the HESA websiteExternal Link .

Please note that in Victoria, HESA accredited applicants may need to demonstrate further competencies relevant to Victoria’s immunisation specific requirements.

Reviewed 27 July 2023

Health.vic

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Immunisation Unit Department of Health

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