The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has announced that COVID-19 vaccines will transition to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) from 1 October 2026, replacing the stand-alone National COVID-19 Vaccine Program (NCVP) established during the Australia’s pandemic response. Under the NIP, eligibility for funded COVID-19 vaccines will change, with free COVID-19 vaccines available only to people at highest risk of severe disease: all adults aged 75 years and over (one dose every 6 months) adults aged 65–74 years […]

In July, the Commission will release the initial draft of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (third edition). Shaped by extensive sector-wide feedback, the draft reflects best practice evidence and responds to current healthcare realities, as well as emerging challenges and issues. This is your opportunity to contribute to improvements in patient safety and the delivery of high-quality care across Australia. You can provide feedback on the draft Standards by completing an online survey or written submission. […]

World Health Organization Guideline Development Groups for both the peripheral intravascular catheter guidelines and the central venous catheter/CLABSI prevention guidelines were launched on 11 June 2026. The WHO Guidelines for the Prevention of Bloodstream Infections and Other Infections Associated with the Use of Intravascular Catheters (Parts 1 & 2) were developed through a rigorous process involving international experts, evidence reviews, and the GRADE methodology. These guidelines provide an important global framework for preventing bloodstream infections and other infections associated with […]

The RACGP has updated the reprocessing section of the Infection prevention and control guidelines (IPC Guidelines) to support safer, more consistent reprocessing in general practice. These updates align with Australian Standard AS/NZS 5369:2023 Reprocessing of reusable medical devices and other devices in health and non-health related facilities, translating a complex national standard into clear, practical guidance tailored for general practice. They provide a structured framework to support safe workflows, informed decision‑making, and consistent reprocessing across all aspects of care. The […]

From 1 July 2026, there will be changes to the adult pneumococcal vaccination schedule under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Key changes: From 1 July 2026, the 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (21vPCV), Capvaxive®, will be introduced on the NIP and the adult immunisation schedule updated. Capvaxive® will replace Prevenar 13® and Pneumovax 23® on the NIP for adults. Capvaxive® is recommended and free through the NIP (from 1 July) for: Adults aged 65 years and over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander […]

ACIPC has launched the Aged Care IPC Training Hub — a free, ready-to-use collection of infection prevention and control teaching resources developed specifically for the aged care sector. Hosted on the ACIPC website as part of the Aged Care Community of Practice, the hub is designed to make high-quality IPC education more accessible to aged care providers across Australasia. It is intended to complement the existing Aged Care IPC Templates and Tools page, together forming a comprehensive suite of practical […]

The national model provides new guidance on clinical governance that is clear, relevant and effective in helping health services to strive for consistently high-quality care. It replaces the 2017 National Model Clinical Governance Framework. The release of the model represents a significant change in how clinical governance is understood, led and embedded in health services. Australian Health Ministers have urged all public and private hospitals to implement the national model as part of national efforts to strengthen the safety and accountability […]

The Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) has advised that the 2026 edition of The ACORN Standards will officially go live on 1 June 2026. The current edition will be replaced by the 2026 edition on the ACORN standards platform. The 2026 edition reflects the latest evidence-informed guidance to support safe, high-quality perioperative practice across Australia. ACORN will continue to provide resources to support implementation and educational materials to assist perioperative teams with integrating the updated standards into practice. To […]

Vaccine-derived poliovirus has been detected in wastewater during routine surveillance of untreated sewage at a treatment plant in Perth. This is an environmental detection and the risk to the community remains very low. There are no confirmed cases of polio in Australia. High vaccination coverage provides strong protection and helps prevent the virus from spreading. In response to this detection, the WA Department of Health is increasing the frequency of wastewater poliovirus testing in the Perth metropolitan area and working with clinicians to enhance existing systems for […]

Western Australian residents are being urged to ensure they are up to date with their diphtheria vaccination in response to an outbreak of cases in regional WA. There have been 60 confirmed cases of diphtheria reported in regional WA since late December 2025, with the majority occurring in Aboriginal people. This includes 55 cases in the Kimberley, three in the Pilbara, and two cases in the Goldfields. Cases have primarily occurred in children and young adults, with a smaller number spread across […]