In Victoria, nurse immunisers are registered nurses (not enrolled nurses) who are approved to administer specified vaccines and can manage adverse reactions where there may not be a medical practitioner present. They can provide this service to approved client groups in circumstances such as nurse-led immunisation services in:
- local councils
- general practice
- hospitals
- community health
- occupational health services.
Nurse immunisers are approved under regulation 8(1) and regulation 161 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017.
The Secretary Approval applies to a registered nurse who has completed a program of study. The nurse must meet the Secretary Approval criteria to practice.
The Secretary Approval does not apply to registered nurses who have not completed a program of study, but who may administer vaccines supplied under an individual prescription, or under the direction (for example, drug order) and supervision of a medical practitioner.
The Secretary Approval for nurse immunisers (in force) was published in the Government Gazette S 148-24 27 March 2024 pp. .
Japanese encephalitis vaccination
A condition of the Secretary Approval for administration of the JE vaccine to persons recommended for vaccination by nurse 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 .
Mpox (monkeypox) vaccination
A condition of the Secretary Approval for administration of the mpox vaccine to persons recommended for vaccination by nurse immunisers is completion of the Mpox (monkeypox) 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 .
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation
A condition of the Secretary Approval for administration of an RSV vaccine to persons recommended for vaccination by nurse immunisers is completion of any additional training and competency requirements.
Approved RSV vaccines and any additional immuniser training, competency and other requirements are listed on the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation webpage. Immunisers must comply with the requirements at the time of administration.
COVID-19 vaccination
A time-limited approval, Secretary Approval: Nurse Immuniser – SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) VACCINE, authorises a Nurse Immuniser to possess and administer any SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) VACCINE approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (COVID-19 VACCINE) in accordance with the conditions outlined in the Approval until 4 October 2024 (inclusive), unless revoked earlier.
The Secretary Approval was published in the Government Gazette S530 5 October (Nurse Immuniser – SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) VACCINE) or accessible via the Medicines and Poisons – Secretary Approvals webpage. This approval is in force from 5 October 2023.
- Further information is available on the COVID-19 vaccine webpage. Nurse immunisers administering COVID-19 vaccines in Victoria should refer to this webpage for any additional requirements (training or otherwise) and for information and links to ATAGI recommendations, vaccine schedules and resources for immunisation providers.
Employing a nurse immuniser
Employers of nurse immunisers must have these minimum elements in place to support safe, high-quality immunisation services by approved Registered Nurses:
- clinical risk management strategy and plan for immunisation services
- policy and procedure(s) relating to the provision of vaccinations by Registered Nurses under a Secretary Approval
- process for employment and ongoing clinical credentialing requirements for Registered Nurses practising under the Secretary Approval.
Employers should also consider the existing national and state immunisation policy, structures and legislation, including the requirements of a Poisons Control Plan (where applicable) that support this practice by Registered Nurses.
Reviewed 09 April 2024