In Victoria, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner (ATSIHP) immunisers are Ahpra-registered ATSIHPs who are approved to administer specified vaccines and can manage adverse reactions under a written instruction and supervision of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or authorised midwife.
The vaccines that registered ATSIHP immunisers are authorised to administer, following completion of required training, are listed in the Secretary .
Registered ATSIHP immunisers can provide this service to people under their care in:
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
- general practice
- hospitals
- community health.
Registered ATSIHP immunisers are approved under regulation 160 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017.
The Secretary Approval for registered ATSIHP immunisers was published in the Government Gazette G26 29 June 2023 pp. . This is provided to support service planning and workforce training preparation for registered ATSIHPs.
Registered ATSIHP immunisers are required to complete an ‘Immuniser program of study’ and hold a current first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate. The registered ATSIHP must meet the Secretary Approval criteria to practice in immunisation.
Japanese encephalitis vaccination
A condition of the Secretary Approval for administration of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine by registered ATSIHP immunisers is completion of the Japanese encephalitis - eLearning module for immunisation providers in Victoria, which has been recognised by the Deputy Chief Health Officer - Communicable Disease. The module is free and available at the Victorian Immunisation Learning and must be completed prior to administering the vaccine.
The JE vaccine is only to be administered to people recommended for vaccination as listed on the Japanese encephalitis webpage as amended from time to time.
Mpox (monkeypox) vaccination
A condition of the Secretary Approval for administration of the mpox vaccine by registered ATSIHP immunisers is completion of the mpox eLearning module for immunisation providers in Victoria, which has been recognised by the Deputy Chief Health Officer - Communicable Disease. The module is free and available at the Victorian Immunisation Learning and must be completed prior to administering the vaccine.
The mpox vaccine is only to be administered to people recommended for vaccination as listed on the Mpox (monkeypox) webpage as amended from time to time.
COVID-19 vaccination
Additional COVID-19 vaccination training is no longer mandatory for COVID-19 vaccination providers. However, ATSIHP immunisers should refer to the COVID-19 vaccine webpage for key information and links to ATAGI recommendations, vaccine schedules and other resources that have been developed to support immunisers administering COVID-19 vaccines.
Reviewed 02 October 2023