Vaccination legislation, regulations and training
- ACT
- NSW
- NT
- QLD
- SA
- TAS
- VIC
- WA
ACT
History of pharmacist vaccination services in the ACT
2016: Legislation amended to allow trained pharmacists to administer influenza vaccine to people aged 18 and over.
2019: Pilot program run for community pharmacies to administer NIP-funded vaccines to patients 65 years or older.
2020:
- Pharmacists and intern pharmacists authorised to administer dTpa and MMR vaccines to patients aged 16 years and older, without a prescription.
- The minimum age for patients eligible to receive influenza vaccines in pharmacy was reduced to 10 years.
- Permanent arrangements put in place for community pharmacies to administer NIP-funded vaccines, in conjunction with ACT Health, following 2019 pilot program.
2021:
- Pharmacists and intern pharmacists authorised to administer COVID-19 vaccines in community pharmacy.
- Minimum age of patients for pharmacist administration of a COVID-19 vaccine reduced to 5 years of age.
2023: Expansion of pharmacist administered vaccines to include vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, typhoid, and herpes zoster.
Information for Pharmacists
In January 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care have rolled out the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in community pharmacies. This means that patients that are eligible will receive vaccines at no cost to them at a pharmacy.
Program rules for NIP can be found here: National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
The NIP schedules and eligibility criteria are different in different states and territory. The ACT NIP Vaccination Schedule can be found here: NIP ACT Pharmacy Immunisation Schedule
Pharmacies are also authorised to administer private vaccinations under the state and territory vaccinations. The ACT Pharmacist Vaccination Standard and patient eligibility criteria can be found here: Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods (Vaccination by Pharmacists) Direction 2023 (No 2)
Other key legislations and resources:
Who is authorised to administer vaccines?
- Registered pharmacists who can demonstrate suitability against all the pharmacist training requirements set out in the Standards; and
- Intern pharmacists who have successfully completed the pharmacist training requirements may only administer vaccines under the supervision of a pharmacists.
NSW
History of pharmacist vaccination services in the NSW
2015: Legislation amended to allow pharmacists to administer influenza vaccine to people aged 18 or over.
2019: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to administer measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) vaccine to people aged 16 years and over.
2021: Pharmacists and intern pharmacists authorised to administer COVID-19 vaccines in community pharmacy.
2022:
- Pharmacies in NSW will have access to National Immunisation Program funded influenza vaccines for people aged 65 years and over.
- Expansion of pharmacist administered vaccines to include vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, poliomyelitis, typhoid, and herpes zoster.
2023:
- Pharmacists authorised to administer vaccines against diphtheria, measles, meningococcal ACWY, mumps, pertussis, rubella, and tetanus to people aged 5 years and over and administer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to people aged 9 years and over.
- Expansion of pharmacist administered vaccines to include vaccines for Meningococcal B vaccine, haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine and varicella vaccine.
Information for Pharmacists
In January 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care have rolled out the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in community pharmacies. This means that patients that are eligible will receive vaccines at no cost to them at a pharmacy.
Program rules for NIP can be found here: National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
The NIP schedules and eligibility criteria are different in different states and territory. The NSW NIP Vaccination Schedule can be found here: Guidance for Pharmacist Immunisers – Access to pharmacist approved NIP vaccines
Pharmacies are also authorised to administer private vaccinations under the state and territory vaccinations. The NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standard and patient eligibility criteria can be found here: NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standard
Other key legislations and resources:
Who is authorised to administer vaccines?
- Registered pharmacists who have completed the pharmacist training requirements of the Standards and who comply with the rules prescribed in the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 (NSW).
- Intern pharmacists who hold a certificate confirming competency to vaccinate following completion of an accredited training program for all vaccines they intend to administer, is only able to administer specified vaccines under the direct supervision of a pharmacist immuniser who holds certification to vaccinate for the relevant vaccine.
NT
History of pharmacist vaccination services in the NT
2015: Legislation amended to allow trained pharmacists to administer a vaccine in accordance with the approved scheduled substance treatment protocol.
2017: Expanded pharmacist scope of practise to administer diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTPa) vaccines to people aged 16 years and over.
2020: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice for trained pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines to peopled aged 10 years and over.
2021: Pharmacists and intern pharmacists authorised to administer COVID-19 vaccines in community pharmacy.
2023: Pharmacists authorised to vaccinate for people aged 5 years and over and expansion of the scope of pharmacist vaccine administration.
Information for Pharmacists
In January 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care have rolled out the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in community pharmacies. This means that patients that are eligible will receive vaccines at no cost to them at a pharmacy.
Program rules for NIP can be found here: National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
The NIP schedules and eligibility criteria are different in different states and territory. The NT NIP Vaccination Schedule can be found here: Immunisation Program
Pharmacies are also authorised to administer private vaccinations under the state and territory vaccinations. The NT Pharmacist Vaccination Standard and patient eligibility criteria can be found here: Scheduled Substance Treatment Protocol (SSTP) for Pharmacist Vaccination
Other key legislations and resources:
Who is authorised to administer vaccines?
- Registered pharmacists who are registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia with no conditions or undertakings which may limit delivery of clinical services directly to patients and have completed a training program accredited as meeting the standards set by the Australian Pharmacy Council’s “Standards for the accreditation of programs to support Pharmacist Administration of vaccines.”
- Intern pharmacists who meet the requirements outlined in the SSTP and are under the supervision of a pharmacist who is qualified to vaccinate.
QLD
History of pharmacist vaccination services in QLD
2016: Legislationamended to allow trained pharmacists to administer influenza, measles and pertussis vaccines to people aged 18 and over.
2019: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to administer authorised vaccines without a prescription to people aged 16 years and over.
2020: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to administer cholera, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (dTpa), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-inactivated poliovirus (dTpa-IPV), haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis A, meningococcal ACWY, pneumococcal and poliomyelitis vaccines to people aged ≥16 years.
2021: Pharmacists and intern pharmacists authorised to administer COVID-19 vaccines in community pharmacy.
2022: Pharmacists authorised to vaccinate people aged 6 months and above for influenza vaccines.
2023: Pharmacists authorised to vaccinate people aged 2 years and older to deliver all vaccines enabled under the Extended Practice Authority and it will expand to include vaccines for hepatitis B, varicella, meningococcal B, human papillomavirus, typhoid, herpes zoster and Japanese encephalitis.
Information for Pharmacists
In January 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care have rolled out the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in community pharmacies. This means that patients that are eligible will receive vaccines at no cost to them at a pharmacy.
Program rules for NIP can be found here: National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
The NIP schedules and eligibility criteria are different in different states and territory. The QLD NIP Vaccination Schedule can be found here: Immunisation Schedule Queensland
Pharmacies are also authorised to administer private vaccinations under the state and territory vaccinations. The QLD Pharmacist Vaccination Standard and patient eligibility criteria can be found here: Extended Practice Authority Pharmacists
Other key legislations and resources:
Who is authorised to administer vaccines?
- Registered pharmacists and intern pharmacists who have successfully completed either the training program for the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot I and II or a training program accredited to meet the standards set by the Australian Pharmacy Council’s “Standard for the accreditation of programs to support Pharmacist Administration of vaccines.”
SA
History of pharmacist vaccination services in SA
2015: Addition of pharmacists as a registered health practitioner to administer influenza vaccine from 16 years of age.
2017: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to include MMR and dTpa/IPV vaccines.
2018: Addition of meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccine, meningococcal B recombinant vaccine and meningococcal C conjugate vaccine.
2020: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to administer influenza vaccine to those from 10 years of age from 16 years of age.
2021: Addition of administration of COVID-19 vaccine.
2022: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to administer influenza vaccine to those from 5 years of age from 10 years of age.
2023: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to administer National Immunisation program vaccines from 5 years of age and as per the South Australian National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Information for Pharmacists
In January 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care have rolled out the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in community pharmacies. This means that patients that are eligible will receive vaccines at no cost to them at a pharmacy.
Program rules for NIP can be found here: National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
The NIP schedules and eligibility criteria are different in different states and territory. The SA NIP Vaccination Schedule can be found here: SA Health National Immunisation Program
Pharmacies are also authorised to administer private vaccinations under the state and territory vaccinations. The SA Pharmacist Vaccination Standard and patient eligibility criteria can be found here: SA Vaccine Administration Code
Other key legislations and resources:
Who is authorised to administer vaccines?
- Registered pharmacists who have successfully completed approved training programs as published on the SA Health website.
- Intern pharmacists may administer vaccines under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist and who have met all the requirements of the Vaccine Administration Code.
TAS
History of pharmacist vaccination services in TAS
2016: Legislation amended to allow trained pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines to people aged 18 and over.
2019: Age limit for pharmacist administered influenza vaccines lowered from 18 years to 10 years and over.
2021: Pharmacists and intern pharmacists authorised to administer COVID-19 vaccines in community pharmacy.
2023:
- Pharmacists authorised to vaccinate for people aged 5 years and above for influenza vaccine.
- Expansion of pharmacist scope for vaccination to include administration of prescribed Japanese encephalitis, rabies and typhoid-containing vaccines.
Information for Pharmacists
In January 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care have rolled out the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in community pharmacies. This means that patients that are eligible will receive vaccines at no cost to them at a pharmacy.
Program rules for NIP can be found here: National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
The NIP schedules and eligibility criteria are different in different states and territory. The TAS NIP Vaccination Schedule can be found here: Adult and Child Immunisation Schedule
Pharmacies are also authorised to administer private vaccinations under the state and territory vaccinations. The TAS Pharmacist Vaccination Standard and patient eligibility criteria can be found here: Tasmanian Pharmacist Immunisation Program Guidelines
Other key legislations and resources:
Who is authorised to administer vaccines?
- Registered pharmacists and Intern pharmacists must meet all the requirements set out in the Tasmanian Authorised Pharmacist Immuniser Application Guidelines.
VIC
History of pharmacist vaccination services in VIC
2016: Legislation amended to allow an approved pharmacist to administer influenza and pertussis vaccines to eligible people aged 18 and over.
2018: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to administer measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to people aged 16 years and over.
2020: Expanded pharmacist scope of practice to administer diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and meningococcal ACWY vaccine to people aged 15 years and over.
2021: Pharmacists and intern pharmacists authorised to administer COVID-19 vaccines in community pharmacy.
2023: Expansion of pharmacist administered vaccines to include travel vaccines for the pharmacist scope of practice pilot.
Information for Pharmacists
In January 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care have rolled out the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in community pharmacies. This means that patients that are eligible will receive vaccines at no cost to them at a pharmacy.
Program rules for NIP can be found here: National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
The NIP schedules and eligibility criteria are different in different states and territory. The VIC NIP Vaccination Schedule can be found here: Immunisation Schedule Victoria and Vaccine Eligibility Criteria
Pharmacies are also authorised to administer private vaccinations under the state and territory vaccinations. The VIC Pharmacist Vaccination Standard and patient eligibility criteria can be found here: Victorian Pharmacist-Administered Vaccination Program Guidelines
Other key legislations and resources:
Who is authorised to administer vaccines?
- Registered pharmacists who hold general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and who has completed an “Immuniser program of study” that has been recognised by the Victorian Chief Health Officer.
WA
History of pharmacist vaccination services in WA
2014: Legislation in Western Australia amended to allow pharmacists to administer influenza vaccine.
2020: Expansion of pharmacist scope of practice to administer diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTpa), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and meningococcal ACWY vaccines to people aged ≥16 years.
2021: Pharmacists authorised to take part in the COVID-19 Phase 2a vaccination program.
2022: Pharmacists authorised to vaccinate for influenza for people aged 5 years and above, human papillomavirus (HPV) and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines for people aged 11 years and above and meningococcal ACWY for people aged 15 years and above.
Information for Pharmacists
In January 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care have rolled out the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in community pharmacies. This means that patients that are eligible will receive vaccines at no cost to them at a pharmacy.
Program rules for NIP can be found here: National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
The NIP schedules and eligibility criteria are different in different states and territory. The WA NIP Vaccination Schedule can be found here: WA Immunisation Schedule
Pharmacies are also authorised to administer private vaccinations under the state and territory vaccinations. The WA Pharmacist Vaccination Standard and patient eligibility criteria can be found here: Administration of Vaccines by Pharmacists by SASA
Other key legislations and resources:
Who is authorised to administer vaccines?
- Registered pharmacists who have completed an approved course of training in accordance with Appendix 1 of the Structured Administration and Supply Arrangements (SASA).
- Intern pharmacists who have completed an approved course of training in accordance with Appendix 1 of the Structured Administration and Supply Arrangements (SASA) and must be supervised by a registered pharmacist.
Page last updated on: 12 April 2024