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Pharmacist led vaccinations

PSA has prepared this information to support pharmacists using the best and most up-to-date information available.

PSA members can contact the Pharmacist-to-Pharmacist Advice Line for practice guidance and support, including navigating regulatory queries and concerns on 1300 369 772 (business hours AEDT)

Vaccine initiation and administration must be in accordance with the relevant legislation and should be consistent with the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Community pharmacies may be eligible to receive a payment for administering National Immunisation Program (NIP) Vaccines. For information about this program, see National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program.

This information is a guide and should not be used as a substitute or replacement for review of regulation and legislative instruments.

ACT

Authority to vaccinate

Vaccine preventable diseases	Age restrictions and other conditions specific to the vaccine
Cholera	Not permitted
COVID-19	5 years and over
Diphtheria	5 years and over
Haemophilus influenzae type b	5 years and over
Hepatitis A	5 years and over
Hepatitis B	5 years and over
Herpes zoster	18 years and over Shingrix recombinant vaccine brand only
Human Papillomavirus	10 years and over
Influenza	5 years and over
Japanese encephalitis	5 years and over Pharmacists must complete the additional training module: Japanese encephalitis – A learning resource for Immunisation providers.
Measles Mumps Rubella	5 years and over
Meningococcal (ACWY)	5 years and over (quadrivalent) conjugate vaccine
Meningococcal C	5 years and over
Meningococcal B	5 years and over
Mpox	16 years and over (non-pregnant people only) Only in accordance with ACT JYNNEOS protocol
Pertussis	5 years and over
Pneumococcal	50 years and over (Aboriginal people) 70 years and over (non-Aboriginal people)
Poliomyelitis	5 years and over
Q Fever	Not permitted
Rabies and other lyssaviruses	5 years and over Only for pre-exposure prophylaxis in people who are not immunocompromised
Respiratory syncytial virus	Pregnant people between 28-36 weeks gestation (Abrysvo brand only) 60 years and over (Abrysvo or Arexvy brands)
Rotavirus	Not permitted
Tetanus	5 years and over
Tuberculosis	Not permitted
Typhoid	5 years and over
Varicella (chickenpox)	5 years and over
Yellow Fever	Not permitted

Note: All vaccination recommendations for individuals, schedules and administration processes, including combination vaccines, must be in accordance with the current digital edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook. Pharmacist immunisers must not initiate and administer vaccines outside of their individual scope of practice.

Regulatory instrument

 ACT Pharmacist Vaccination Standard 

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

1. Covid vaccination funding is available see: COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program.

2. Community pharmacies may be eligible to receive a payment for administering National Immunisation Program (NIP) Vaccines. For information about this program, see National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program.

3. Community pharmacies may be able to order free stock of NIP vaccines. Refer to ACT Health for information about ordering vaccines.

4. State funded Hepatitis B vaccines are available for ACT residents who meet certain criteria.

5. State-funded MMR vaccines are available for unvaccinated people born in 1966 and onwards.

Last reviewed: 10/04/2025

NSW

Authority to vaccinate

Vaccine preventable diseases	Age restrictions and other conditions specific to the vaccine
Cholera	Not permitted
COVID-19	5 years and over
Diphtheria toxoid	5 years and over
Haemophilus influenzae type b	5 years and over
Hepatitis A	5 years and over
Hepatitis B	5 years and over
Herpes zoster	18 years and over Shingrix vaccine brand only
Human Papillomavirus	9 years and over
Influenza	2 years and over
Japanese encephalitis	5 years and over Mandatory completion of the additional training module: Japanese encephalitis – A learning resource for immunisation providers hosted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia or the Pharmacy Guild of Australia
Measles Mumps Rubella	5 years and over
Meningococcal (ACWY)	5 years and over
Meningococcal B	5 years and over
Meningococcal C	5 years and over
Mpox	JYNNEOS brand only. Non-pregnant eligible people 16 years and over. Subcutaneous injection for primary prevention vaccination only. Selected pharmacies in NSW that are an authorised vaccination setting under the NSW Health State-wide Protocol for the Supply and Administration of JYNNEOS Vaccine
Pertussis	5 years and over
Pneumococcal	50 years and over – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only 70 years and over – non-Aboriginal people Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine only
Poliomyelitis	5 years and over
Q Fever	Not permitted
Rabies and other lyssaviruses	5 years and over Intramuscular injection pre-exposure prophylaxis treatment only for people who are not immunocompromised
Respiratory syncytial virus	Arexvy: 60 years and over Abrysvo: 60 years and over and pregnant women at 28 to 36 weeks gestation Other brands not permitted.
Rotavirus	Not permitted
Tetanus	5 years and over
Tuberculosis	Not permitted
Typhoid	5 years and over Intramuscular injection (IMI) formulation only
Varicella (chickenpox)	5 years and over
Yellow Fever	Not permitted

Legal instrument

NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

1. Covid vaccination funding is available see: COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program.

3. Community pharmacies may be able to order free stock of NIP vaccines. Refer to Guidance for Pharmacist Immunisers – Access to pharmacist approved NIP vaccines for information about ordering vaccines.

4. State funded Hepatitis A vaccines are available for NSW residents for post exposure management.

5. State funded Hepatitis B vaccines are available for some NSW residents including:

Aboriginal people
household and sexual contacts of acute and chronic hepatitis B cases
men who have sex with men
injecting drug users
sex workers

6. State funded MMR vaccines are available for NSW residents born during or after 1966 and rubella seronegative post-natal women.

7. State funded Japanese encephalitis vaccines are available for NSW residents who meet the specified criteria.

Last reviewed: 25/04/2025

NT

Authority to vaccinate

Vaccine preventable diseases	Age restrictions and other conditions specific to the vaccine
Cholera	Not permitted
COVID-19	5 years and over
Diphtheria	5 years and over
Haemophilus influenzae type b	5 years and over
Hepatitis A	5 years and over
Hepatitis B	5 years and over
Herpes zoster	5 years and over
Human Papillomavirus	5 years and over
Influenza	5 years and over
Japanese encephalitis	5 years and over
Measles Mumps Rubella	5 years and over
Meningococcal (ACWY)	5 years and over
Meningococcal B	5 years and over
Mpox	Not permitted
Pertussis	5 years and over
Pneumococcal	5 years and over
Poliomyelitis	5 years and over
Q Fever	Not permitted
Rabies and other lyssaviruses	Not permitted
Respiratory syncytial virus	5 years and over
Rotavirus	Not permitted
Tetanus	5 years and over
Tuberculosis	Not permitted
Typhoid	Not permitted
Varicella	5 years and over
Yellow Fever	Not permitted

Regulatory instrument

Pharmacist Vaccination Scheduled Substance Treatment Protocol V2

Pharmacists may initiate and administer vaccines consistent with:

funded programs delivered under the NT Immunisation Schedule or National Immunisation Program, or
the current version of the Australian Immunisation Handbook

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

1. Covid vaccination funding is available see: COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program.

3. Community pharmacies are able to order free stock of NIP vaccines. Contact NT CDC for more information at TEHS@nt.gov.au.

Last reviewed: 04/02/2025

QLD

Authority to vaccinate

Vaccine preventable diseases	Age restrictions and other conditions specific to the vaccine
Cholera	2 years and over
COVID-19	No age restrictions
Diphtheria	2 years and over
Haemophilus influenzae type b	2 years and over
Hepatitis A	2 years and over
Hepatitis B	2 years and over
Herpes zoster	2 years and over
Human Papillomavirus	2 years and over
Influenza	No age restrictions
Japanese encephalitis	2 years and over
Measles Mumps Rubella	2 years and over
Meningococcal (ACWY)	2 years and over
Meningococcal B	2 years and over
Mpox	2 years and over
Pertussis	2 years and over
Pneumococcal	2 years and over
Poliomyelitis	2 years and over
Q Fever	Not permitted
Rabies and other lyssaviruses	2 years and over for pre-exposure prophylaxis only
Respiratory syncytial virus	2 years and over
Rotavirus	Not permitted
Tetanus	2 years and over
Tuberculosis	Not permitted
Typhoid	2 years and over
Varicella	2 years and over
Yellow Fever	Not permitted

A pharmacist may only initiate and administer the vaccine in accordance with the:

current online edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook; or
current recommendations issued by ATAGI; or
product information approved by the TGA; or
current recommendations provided on the Immunisation Schedule Queensland

Legislative instrument

Extended practice authority ‘Pharmacists’

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

1. Covid vaccination funding is available see: COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program.

3. Community pharmacies may be able to order free stock of NIP vaccines. For information about ordering NIP vaccines see QLD Health Immunisation website.

4. Meningococcal B State funded program to commence in early 2024 – details TBC.

5. Queensland residents may be eligible for a free influenza vaccine. For information about this program see QLD Health 2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program.

Last reviewed: 9/4/2025

SA

Authority to vaccinate

Vaccine preventable diseases	Age restrictions and other conditions specific to the vaccine
Cholera	No age restrictions
COVID-19	No age restrictions
Diphtheria	No age restrictions
Haemophilus influenzae type b	No age restrictions
Hepatitis A	No age restrictions
Hepatitis B	No age restrictions
Zoster (herpes zoster)	No age restrictions
Human Papillomavirus	No age restrictions
Influenza	No age restrictions
Japanese encephalitis	No age restrictions Specific use beyond AIH may also authorised – check status of JEV vaccination program on SA Health Pharmacist immuniser page
Measles Mumps Rubella	No age restrictions
Meningococcal ACWY	No age restrictions
Meningococcal B	No age restrictions
Meningococcal C	No age restrictions
Mpox	No age restrictions
Pertussis	No age restrictions
Pneumococcal	No age restrictions
Poliovirus	No age restrictions
Q Fever	No age restrictions
Rabies and other lyssaviruses	No age restrictions
Respiratory syncytial virus	No age restrictions
Rotavirus	No age restrictions
Tetanus	No age restrictions
Tuberculosis	No age restrictions
Typhoid	No age restrictions
Varicella (chickenpox)	No age restrictions
Yellow Fever	No age restrictions*

* Only Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres- external site can provide yellow fever vaccination. These centres must be approved by the relevant state or territory health authorities.

Pharmacists may only administer vaccines within their individual scope of practice. This means a pharmacist must have appropriate skills and knowledge to initiate and administer each vaccine, noting some will require additional training, experience or certification prior to administration.

Pharmacists can only initiate and administer vaccines within the recommendations contained in the current version of the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Regulatory instrument

The Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulation 2011, sub regulation 18(3a) provides authorisation for a pharmacist to administer vaccine:

if instructions for the administration of the drug are in the Australian Immunisation Handbook—the Australian Immunisation Handbook; or
in any other case—requirements specified by the Minister.

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

1. COVID-19 vaccination funding is available see: COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program.

3. Community pharmacies can order free stock of NIP vaccines to administer to people >5 years age. For information about ordering NIP vaccines, go to SA Health: Vaccine ordering.

4. State funded Japanese Encephalitis vaccines are available for SA residents who meet the specified criteria.

Last reviewed: 4/3/2025

TAS

Authority to vaccinate

Vaccine preventable diseases	Age restrictions and other conditions specific to the vaccine
Cholera	Not permitted
COVID-19	5 years and over For 5 to 10 years and over old: pharmacist must have additional paediatric authorisation with the Tasmanian Dept of Health
Diphtheria	10 years and over diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTpa) combination vaccine only
Haemophilus influenzae type b	Not permitted
Hepatitis A	10 years and over Vaccination for those recommended, but not funded, to receive Hepatitis A vaccination unrelated to travel
Hepatitis B	10 years and over Excludes vaccination for travel (including to endemic regions) and vaccination for post-exposure prophylaxis
Herpes Zoster	18 years and over Shingrix® only
Human Papillomavirus	10 years and over Catch-up vaccination limited to persons requiring a single dose only
Influenza	5 years and over For 5 to 10 years and over old: pharmacist must have additional paediatric authorisation with the Tasmanian Dept of Health
Japanese encephalitis	Not permitted*
Measles Mumps Rubella	10 years and over Vaccination for catch-up funded under the NIP, including combination products (e.g., measles , mumps, rubella and varicella)
Meningococcal (ACWY)	10 years and over Vaccination of individuals funded under the NIP and people recommended (not funded) for MenACWY vaccination
Meningococcal B	10 years and over Vaccination for those recommended to receive a Meningococcal B vaccination unrelated to travel, not funded under the NIP
Mpox	Not permitted
Pertussis	10 years and over diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTpa) combination vaccine only
Pneumococcal	10 years and over Refer to the Pneumococcal Vaccination Schedule decision tree when considering vaccination
Poliomyelitis	10 years and over Including in combination products with other antigens
Q Fever	Not permitted
Rabies and other lyssaviruses	Not permitted*
Respiratory syncytial virus	18 years and over Must be in accordance with TGA-approved PI and Australian Immunisation Handbook. Refer to ATAGI clinical guidance for the RSV vaccine administered.
Rotavirus	Not permitted
Tetanus	16 years and over diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTpa) combination vaccine only Excludes vaccination for tetanus prophylaxis related to wound management
Tuberculosis	Not permitted
Typhoid	Not permitted*
Varicella (chickenpox)	10 years and over Including in combination products with other antigens
Yellow Fever	Not permitted

^*Authorised Pharmacist Immunisers may administer the following vaccines to an individual aged 10 years and over if the vaccine was prescribed by a medical or nurse practitioner:

Japanese encephalitis
Rabies
Typhoid

Regulatory instrument

Tasmanian Immunisation Program Guidelines

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

1. Covid vaccination funding is available see: COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program.

3. Community pharmacies may be able to order free stock of NIP vaccines. Refer to Tasmanian Department of Health – Immunisation Providers for information about ordering vaccines.

4. State funded Hepatitis B vaccines are available for people who are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus.

5. State funded MMR vaccines are available for unvaccinated (no evidence of vaccination) or seronegative people born during or after 1966 (based on serology).

Last reviewed: 29/05/2025

VIC

Authority to vaccinate

Vaccine preventable diseases	Age restrictions and other conditions specific to the vaccine
Cholera	Not permitted
COVID-19	5 years and over
Diphtheria	5 years and over Excludes vaccination of people that are contacts in the event of a case of diphtheria, unless directed by the Victorian Department of Health Excludes vaccination with diphtheria antitoxin Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Haemophilus influenzae type b	Not permitted
Hepatitis A	5 years and over Excludes vaccination of contacts in the case of hepatitis A, unless directed by the Victorian Department of Health Excludes vaccination of people following acute exposure to potentially infected blood or body fluids Excludes immunisation with immunoglobulin Only under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Hepatitis B	5 years and over Excludes vaccination of people following acute exposure to potentially infected blood or body fluids Excludes immunisation with immunoglobulin Only under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Herpes zoster	5 years and over Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Human Papillomavirus	5 years and over Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Influenza	5 years and over Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Japanese encephalitis	5 years and over Excludes travel purposes Only for people recommended for vaccination as listed on the Victorian Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis in Victoria website
Measles Mumps Rubella	5 years and over Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Meningococcal (ACWY)	5 years and over Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Meningococcal B	Not permitted
Mpox	5 years and over recommended for vaccination as listed on the Department of Health’s Monkeypox webpage Excludes vaccination for travel purposes other than those people recommended for vaccination as listed on the Department of Health’s Monkeypox webpage
Pertussis	5 years and over Excludes vaccination of people that are contacts in the event of a case of pertussis, unless directed by the Victorian Department of Health Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Pneumococcal	5 years and over Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Poliomyelitis	5 years and over Only under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Q Fever	Not permitted
Rabies and other lyssaviruses	Not permitted
Respiratory syncytial virus	5 years and over recommended for immunisation as listed on the Department of Health’s Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) webpage. Excludes travel purposes other than those people recommended for immunisation as listed on the Department of Health’s Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation webpage.
Rotavirus	Not permitted
Tetanus	5 years and over Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot Excludes vaccination for the express purpose of post-exposure prophylaxis in people with a tetanus-prone wound Excludes travel purposes unless pharmacist/pharmacy is participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Tuberculosis	Not permitted
Typhoid	5 years and over Only under the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot
Varicella (chickenpox)	Not permitted
Yellow Fever	Not permitted

Regulatory instruments

Medicines and poisons – Secretary approval S148 3 October 2024

Medicines and poisons – Secretary approval (Pilot) S528 10 October 2024

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

1. Covid vaccination funding is available see: COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program.

3. Community pharmacies may be able to order free stock of NIP vaccines. Refer to Ordering vaccines for information.

4. State funded Hepatitis B vaccines are available for people at risk of hepatitis B infection.

5. State funded MMR vaccines are available for all adults born during or since 1966 and aged from 20 years and over without evidence of two documented doses of valid MMR vaccine or without serological evidence of immunity.

6. State funded vaccines for Japanese encephalitis are available for some people.

7. State funded vaccines for mpox (monkeypox) are available for some people. An administration fee is also payable from the Department of Health (Victoria) when administering state-funded mpox vaccines to eligible people between 14 April 2025 and 30 June 2025

Last reviewed: 23/04/2025

WA

Authority to vaccinate

Vaccine preventable diseases	Age restrictions and other conditions specific to the vaccine
Cholera	Not permitted
COVID-19	5 years and over
Diphtheria	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Haemophilus influenzae type b	Not permitted
Hepatitis A	Not permitted
Hepatitis B	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Herpes zoster	5 years and over
Human Papillomavirus	5 years and over
Influenza	5 years and over
Japanese encephalitis	Not permitted
Measles Mumps Rubella	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Meningococcal (ACWY)	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Meningococcal B	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
MPox	Not permitted
Pertussis	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Pneumococcal	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Poliomyelitis	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Q Fever	Not permitted
Rabies and other lyssaviruses	Not permitted
Respiratory syncytial virus	5 years and over
Rotavirus	Not permitted
Tetanus	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Tuberculosis	Not permitted
Typhoid	Not permitted
Varicella (chickenpox)	5 years and over Excludes catch up vaccination*
Yellow Fever	Not permitted

* ‘excludes catch up vaccination’ reflects that the SASA does not authorise catch up of vaccines the individual was eligible for prior to turning 5 years of age.

WA Health may advise mandatory training (including annual mandatory training) is required to authorise and administer specific vaccines.

Regulatory instruments

Pharmacists – Administration of vaccines by pharmacists

Pharmacists – COVID-19 vaccination

Pharmacists (WA Health) – COVID-19 vaccination

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

1. Covid vaccination funding is available: COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program.

3. Community pharmacies are able to order free stock of NIP vaccines. Refer to Immunisation provider information and resources for information about ordering vaccines.

Last reviewed: 26/05/2025

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Pharmacist led vaccinations

ACT

Authority to vaccinate

Regulatory instrument

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

NSW

Authority to vaccinate

Legal instrument

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

NT

Authority to vaccinate

Regulatory instrument

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

QLD

Authority to vaccinate

Legislative instrument

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

SA

Authority to vaccinate

Regulatory instrument

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

TAS

Authority to vaccinate

Regulatory instrument

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

VIC

Authority to vaccinate

Regulatory instruments

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines

WA

Authority to vaccinate

Regulatory instruments

Funding considerations and ordering government-funded vaccines