Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

Upcoming Events

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Five Day, Face-to-face Immunisation Course for Health Professionals 

Dates:  

Session 1 -Monday 13th to Friday 17th April 2026
Session 2 – Monday 15th to Friday 19th June 2026 

Venue: AH&MRC Training Campus (35 Harvey Street, Little Bay NSW 2036) 

NACCHO and AH&MRC, together with the Benchmarque team, are hosting a 5-day face-to-face immunisation course for health professionals working in ACCHOs across NSW. 

This course is fully funded by NACCHO for those are working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.  

This course is HESA accredited, and endorsed by NAATSIHWP 

April session is fully booked, but if you are interested, please register for the June Sessions.  

Registration links:  

Session 1 – April
Session 2 – June

2026 Immunisation Professional Development Conference – Sydney 

Date: Thursday 30th April 2026
Venue: Rydges Sydney Central 

The Benchmarque team is excited to host a one-day Immunisation Professional Development Conference in Sydney. It’s a great opportunity to hear about the latest in immunisation, including: 

  • Vaccine Hesitancy 
  • Travel Vaccinations 
  • Priority Populations 
  • Updates on Winter Respiratory Conditions for 2026 

Further information and registration links can be found via the following link: https://www.benchmarquegroup.com.au/2026ipdc/ 

Seats are limited, so if you’re interested, register soon to save your spot. 

Register here.

National Centre for Immunisation research Webinar: RSV vaccines and prevention programs: evidence, safety and impact 

 Date: Thursday 23 April 2026
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m. AEST  

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects people across the lifespan, with infants and older adults experiencing the highest risk of severe disease and hospitalisation.  
  • New vaccines, prevention products and funded programs are now available in Australia, creating important opportunities to reduce RSV illness and its impact. This webinar will provide an evidence-based overview of the evolving RSV landscape.  

Register here.

NACCHO Weekly immunisations webinars + Q&A sessions for the ACCHO sector  

Q&A Sessions will run fortnightly on Wednesday (altering with webinars) 1-1:30pm AEDT/AEST. 

  • These sessions are for those who have completed or are about to complete accredited immunisation training. Sessions will be run by an immunisation nurse practitioner and are an opportunity for staff to ask clinical questions. 

Immunisation webinars will run fortnightly (alternating with Q&A sessions at the same time). 

  • These sessions are open to all ACCHO staff interested in immunisations. Run by an immunisation nurse practitioner, webinars will focus on engaging with clients around vaccinations and showcase ACCHO immunisation programs. 

Find out more and register here.

Entries are now open for the World Immunisation Week NACCHO Video Competition  

Promote uptake of vaccines in your community! Create a fun, 90-second video that gets Mob rolling up their sleeves to protect against respiratory diseases. 

A merchandise pack valued at $10,000 will be awarded to one ACCHO for each of the following categories: 

  • Most Creative 
  • Best Comedy 
  • Most Original performance 

For more info & to submit your video via email to:  immunisations@naccho.org.au 

Entries close 23 April 2026. 

Scholarship for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People for the Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Conference 2026. 

Applications are now open for scholarships to attend the PHAA Conference 2026, themed “Public Health at Risk – Collective Solutions to New Challenges.” 

Limited funding is available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to attend the conference. All eligible candidates are encouraged to apply, with priority given to those working in communicable diseases and in remote areas. 

Applications opened on Monday, 16 March 2026, and will close at 11:59 pm on 3 May 2026. 

For more information and to access the application form, please visit: Scholarships | CDIC 2026 

Flu and JEV Vaccination Updates: ACCHOs Can Lead the Way

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

2026 seasonal influenza vaccination 

With flu season fast approaching, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recently released a statement outlining its 2026 flu vaccine recommendations. The Australian Immunisation Handbook has also been updated. 

The ATAGI statement highlights the key role of healthcare providers in promoting flu vaccination, with a recommendation from a healthcare provider the strongest predictor of vaccination. As trusted healthcare providers, ACCHOs can have a powerful impact on boosting flu vaccine uptake in Aboriginal communities.

A major development in 2026 is the introduction of the nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) as an option for children aged 2-17 years. And, in a change from previous recommendations, most healthy children aged 2 years and older now only need a single dose of flu vaccine, even when receiving it for the first time.

Other key points from the ATAGI statement include: 

  • Yearly flu vaccination is recommended and free under the National Immunisation Program for all Aboriginal people aged 6 months and older
  • People should ideally receive flu vaccination before the flu season when it becomes available (around April)
  • Flu vaccination is recommended in every pregnancy
  • The nasal spray flu vaccine has equivalent effectiveness to injected vaccines
  • Children with moderate or severe immunocompromise should continue to receive injected flu vaccine as the nasal spray vaccine is contraindicated

NSW Health is funding a limited number of FluMist doses for children aged from 2 years to <5 years, prioritising supply to the ACCHO sector. If you have difficulties securing adequate FluMist stock, please reach out to us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au

Further resources: 

Expanded JEV vaccine eligibility 

With Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) now present in most of NSW, free JEV vaccination should be recommended and offered to everyone who is eligible and ACCHOs can order from the State Vaccination Centre. NSW Health has recently expanded the eligibility criteria for free JEV vaccine and released a Clinician Alert with further details.

Under the expanded criteria, free JEV vaccination is now available to anyone aged 2 months or older who: 

  • Lives or works/volunteers in a high-risk Local Government Area (LGA) 
  • Is visiting a high-risk LGA for outdoor recreation such as camping, caravanning, boating, hunting and fishing (until 1 June 2026) 
  • Works in or is exposed to pig farming or certain stages of pork production, or works directly with mosquitoes 

Eight further LGAs have been added to the list of high-risk LGAs, which now stands at 68 and covers most of NSW. JEV is now endemic in areas of NSW west of the Great Dividing Range and in the north-east corner (see map), with two NSW cases reported so far this mosquito season.

Recent cases highlight the importance of vaccination before travel to high-risk areas for outdoor activities. Six of the seven JEV cases in NSW in the past 2 years were linked to camping or caravanning in a high-risk area. Vaccination should therefore occur well ahead of potential exposure, as it takes 2-4 weeks for protective immunity to develop.  

Expanded eligibility for people engaging in outdoor recreation in high-risk areas extends up to the start of winter, due to the current prolonged mosquito season in NSW.  

Two JEV vaccines are available in NSW: 

  • Imojev (single dose) is registered for use in people aged 9 months and older and can be ordered directly from the State Vaccination Centre 
  • JEspect (two doses) is currently reserved for those who cannot receive Imojev, including pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and infants aged 2 to 8 months of age. To order, please contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 

See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for further information about JEV vaccination.

The AH&MRC Public Health team is available to support ACCHOs with any questions or concerns – please contact us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au

NSW Health issues expanded vaccination Authority for AHPs

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

NSW Health recently issued an updated Authority expanding the range of vaccines that appropriately-trained AHPs can administer and allowing AHPs to provide influenza vaccination to younger age groups. 

  • Lowering the age that AHPs may administer influenza vaccine from 5 years and over to 2 years and over. 
  • Inclusion of adult, adolescent and maternal vaccines:

    • COVID-19 vaccine 
    • Pneumococcal (conjugate) vaccines 
    • Shingrix brand vaccine  
    • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine 
    • Diphtheria antigen-containing vaccine 
    • Tetanus antigen-containing vaccine 
    • Pertussis antigen-containing vaccine 
    • Meningococcal ACWY vaccines 
    • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine 
  • Removal of the requirement to have a medical officer contactable for medical advice during a vaccination clinic. The requirement to work within the line of sight of a registered nurse or midwife remains in place. 

Further details, including specific vaccine formulations and patient age ranges approved, are set out in the Standards.

The expansion relates to AHPs that have completed additional immunisation training accredited by Health Education Services Australia (HESA), injection technique competency assessment, and current basic life support competency.  AHPs meeting the criteria in the Authority are able to independently administer vaccines listed in the Authority without the order of a medical officer. This change does not impact on AHPs administering medications that are ordered or prescribed by a medical practitioner.

Is there an AHP at your service looking to upskill in immunisation? Find out more about upcoming immunisation training opportunities, including accredited immunisation courses, here.

The AH&MRC Public Health team is available to support ACCHOs with any questions or concerns – please contact us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au

Inaugural Deadly Sex NSW

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

AHMRC together with ASHM and with the support of NSW Health, held the inaugural Deadly Sex NSW event on 17-18th March at the AHMRC Little Bay campus.

This event bought together over 55 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clinicians, community, outreach and health promotion workers and peers from across NSW.

The program was guided by our theme ‘Yarning about Sexual Health: Building Strength, Breaking Barriers’.

We were privileged to have Professor James Ward as our opening Keynote Speaker who took us through the timeline of where we’ve been to where we could be into the 2030s. He encouraged this event to mark the return of collaboration across the NSW landscape to utilise all the tools we have as there is no ‘silver bullet’ in facing the challenges of STIs and BBVs in our communities.

Keynote Speaker: Professor James Ward

Cooper and Rebekah from Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation in Broken Hill provided an overview of their service-wide sexual health activity plan. The activity plan shaped the implementation and normalisation of STI screening with a standardised approach across their service. They developed a useful resource for locum clinicians and were able to identify the impact and challenges to improving and maintaining sexual health screening in their communities.

The NSW Sexual Health InfoLink (SHIL) presented their state-wide nurse-led digital and phone services for consumers and health professionals. In the current landscape, with increased syphilis notifications, their Syphilis Support Program is a valuable resource for health professionals. It provides a designated access point to assist with result interpretation, syphilis staging, treatment options and contact tracing. Health Professionals can contact the SHIL Syphilis Support Program on 1800 451 624.

The Kirby Institute presented on the National First Nations Community-led Molecular STI Point of Care Testing. Mel provided an overview of the program which enables same day testing and treatment for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Trichomonas with Tanya providing the supporting data. Delegates were able to interact with the GeneXpert machine and consumables that are used within the program.

Stacey and Mel from The Kirby Institute with the GeneXpert device

We moved on to our knowledge sharing tabletop experience where delegates were able to spotlight the great initiatives they use in their services and communities to promote and normalise sexual health. The feedback from the groups highlighted that in their ‘ideal world’ unrestricted funding opportunities would greatly impact the work that needs to be done in their communities.

Great yarns during our tabletop experience[

Matilda, a sexual health nurse from the Kirketon Road Centre talked us through ‘taking a sexual history’. She covered what questions need to be asked and why we need to ask them. The importance of normalising the conversation and finding opportunities when and where we interact with our clients, including a 715 health assessment.

The NSW STI Program Unit (STIPU) shared the many programs, resources and partnerships they have that support early detection, treatment, management and promotion of sexual health in NSW.

Before we wrapped up day 1, we heard about the collaborative efforts to create the NSW edition of the Yarning Quiet Ways resource. This resource enables parents and caregivers to safely support young people through conversations about safe and healthy relationships and growing up.

Day 2 kicked off with a strong focus on peer-led initiatives and removal of stigma and discrimination.  

From Sex Workers Outreach Project NSW (SWOP) Aunty Rusty and Nyx shared their experiences and work as peers, in the support they provide to mob in urban and rural areas of NSW. For some, sex work or sex for favours is a way of living and SWOP continues to advocate for non-judgment to ensure safety, health and wellbeing to all in this sector.

Peers from NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA), who represent the voices and needs of drug-users in NSW communities, presented on the many programs their service provides. They touched on the importance of peers to reduce stigma and discrimination in their communities when talking about harm minimisations and accessing resources and services.

Michelle, from Positive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network (PATSIN) is a strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV. She shared the origins of the organisation on the back of the stigma and discrimination that surrounded the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Knowing they were ‘Stronger Together’, the organisation is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. Michelle shared a preview screening of their anniversary video, both stark and touching in tribute to those that have walked together and continue to support communities around HIV.

Michelle from PATSIN

Maia from Hepatitis NSW – and the recipient of our “Most deadly up and coming champion for First Nation’s sexual health” walked us through moving away from transactional engagement to relational engagement. This allows communities to feel safe, trusted and empowered to lead, making conversations about sexual health more open.

Maia from Hepatitis NSW

Jinny-Jane from AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) talked on gender: identity, experience and expression and the use of pronouns. While shame and stigma can be a barrier for LGBTQI+SB from accessing services, providing inclusive practice with affirming health care and respectful language like use of pronouns and willingness to be open, can go a long way in improving health outcomes.

Rob Monaghan from The Kirby Institute provided the most recent National STI and BBV data. An important focus was on the increasing notifications of infectious syphilis and reported cases of congenital syphilis.

This segued nicely into our session from Kodie, the sexual health nurse at AHMRC, who provided an overview of syphilis: the symptoms, staging of the disease and treatment. While adding another tool to our kit, the syphilis point of care testing was also covered and we heard from our colleague, Cameron, from Western Australia, who discussed how they utilise the point of care screening tool within their urban services.

We finished off a jam-packed day with Rob again, who delivered a condensed version around self-care and identifying the impact of taking on the cultural load in your teams and the importance of saying no.

The Deadly Sex NSW event provided a safe and inclusive platform to yarn about sexual health. It created opportunities to network with peers and colleagues. Early feedback highlighted the success of the 2-day program and enthusiasm to continue this deadly work.

Collaborating for Safer Communities: Highlights from the NSW Health Emergency Management Forum

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The biannual NSW Health Emergency Management Forum, held on 19 March 2026 at the NSW Ministry of Health in St Leonards, brought together health, emergency management and community partners to discuss preparedness, response and recovery across New South Wales. A strong focus was placed on strengthening preparedness in primary healthcare and supporting priority populations. 

Adjunct Professor Nicole Turner, CEO of AH&MRC, spoke about opportunities to strengthen collaboration between NSW Health disaster managers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. Her presentation highlighted the disproportionate impact of disasters on Aboriginal people, the critical role of ACCHOs as first responders and trusted community supports, and ongoing gaps in the inclusion of Aboriginal communities in emergency planning. She called for genuine partnerships, shared decision-making and culturally safe approaches to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery. 

Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network also shared local initiatives to support general practices, pharmacies and aged care facilities with emergency planning, alongside targeted campaigns encouraging people—particularly those with chronic conditions or disabilities—to prepare for their health needs in emergencies. 

The forum also highlighted current global risks and preparedness activities associated with the Middle East conflict, including planning for potential repatriations, cyber security threats and fuel distribution pressures. Health leaders from New Zealand shared key lessons from a major cyber-attack on the regional health authority Te Whatu Ora Waikato, underscoring the critical importance of having a preparedness and response plan in place to manage cyber incidents within health facilities.  

At the local level, participants reflected on the multiagency health response to the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025, acknowledging the essential contribution of hospitals, pathology, forensic services, communications teams and mental health clinicians in supporting affected individuals and communities.   

Ongoing infrastructure disruption at Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway, combined with the fuel supply constraints, was identified as a significant challenge for the region. Government agencies outlined coordinated planning underway to maintain health services and minimise community impact, including the expanded use of virtual healthcare where travel is disrupted. 

Please reach out to our Public Health team on publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if your service would like assistance with connecting and building relationships with Local Emergency Management Committees.

Key Medicare Updates from March 2026- Things to know

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Significant Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) changes came into effect from 1 March 2026, with important implications for our member services. These updates aim to improve access, modernise care, and better support patients with complex needs.

What’s Changed? 

More flexible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments 

Age-based restrictions have been removed from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments. From March, item descriptors focus on preventive health activities and clinically relevant assessments, reflecting a more flexible, person‑centred approach to care across the life course.

New in-person support for patients during specialist video consults

New in‑person patient‑end support items allow GPs and other eligible practitioners to provide face‑to‑face clinical support to a patient during a video consultation with specialists. This is particularly valuable for housebound patients, people in residential aged care, and rural or remote patients who may require physical observations or assistance with technology during a telehealth consultation. These items are available nationally and apply specifically to video consultations.

Expanded disability eligibility under MBS M10

Eligibility has expanded under MBS Group M10 – Complex neurodevelopmental disorder and disability services. Newly included conditions are:

  • Stuttering,
  • speech sound disorders, and
  • cleft lip and/or palate

This means improved access to assessment and allied health services for children and families who were previously excluded.

ECG Item Changes

In another welcome change, ECG MBS restrictions have been lifted, allowing GPs to claim item 11714, reversing changes introduced in 2020. Item 11707 has also been clarified for ECG traces forwarded to specialists for formal reporting.

Additional updates

  • Removal of outdated screening tests from time‑tiered health assessments, and
  • Clarification of hospital‑only MBS items to support accurate billing.

Member services are encouraged to review the full MBS updates and factsheets to understand how these changes can best support patient care and service delivery.

Any questions or for ongoing support in Optimising Medicare and CQI, please contact compliance@ahmrc.org.au

Clinical Care Standards for Alcohol and Other Drugs Treatment in NSW- Upcoming workshops

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

NSW Health’s Clinical Care Standards for Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Treatment provide a structured reference to support consistent, evidence‑informed AOD care across NSW. To support AOD workforce, CAOD is delivering face‑to‑face workshops across NSW focusing on the Clinical Care Standard of identifying, responding to and monitoring risks.

An evolving case study is used to support practical, integrated discussion, alongside consumer voice contributions, group activities and panel discussions. Perspectives from sectors including AOD, mental health, child wellbeing; and trauma-informed approaches are woven throughout the sessions. The workshops seek to facilitate discussions across providers and services within NSW regions to strengthen community access to culturally-safe service delivery.

What are the Clinical Care Standards?

Developed by the Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAOD), the Standards outline the essential components of care for people accessing AOD treatment and are intended for use across a range of clinical and service settings, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). The Standards are supported by a suite of practical tools designed to assist not only clinicians, but also team leaders, managers and organisations in planning, delivering and reviewing AOD care.

From a client perspective, the Standards describe what care a person can expect when they seek AOD treatment. For the AOD workforce, they articulate what is aligned with best available evidence, covering key stages of the treatment pathway. For services and organisations, the Standards identify core elements of care that can be used to guide practice, documentation and quality improvement.

The Standards also provide a reference point for services in meeting relevant NSW and Commonwealth legal and policy requirements, supporting consistent approaches to governance and accountability.

Structure and content

The Clinical Care Standards are organised around six stages of AOD care: intake; comprehensive assessment; care planning; identifying, responding to and monitoring risks; monitoring treatment progress and outcomes; and transfer of care. Each standard outlines what the quality statement means for clients, clinicians and treatment services.

The standards do not prescribe specific clinical interventions, and allow services to apply the Standards in ways that reflect local context, community priorities and organisational models of care.

Please contact publichealth@ahmrc.org.au with any feedback about these clinical care standards and workshops, so that we can advocate for your needs. ACCHOs and services interested in attending or hosting a workshop can contact the NSW Health Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs for further information.

$100 Million to Back First Nations Vocational Education and Training in New South Wales

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

First Nations students across New South Wales will soon benefit from expanded access to Vocational Education and Training (VET) support under a $100 million joint investment by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments in partnership with Aboriginal training and community organisations.

Read the full media release here.

AH&MRC CEO Adjunct Professor Nicole Turner named NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year 2026

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC) proudly congratulates its Chief Executive Officer, Adjunct Professor Nicole Turner, on being named NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year at the 2026 NSW Women of the Year Awards.

This recognition highlights Nicole’s outstanding leadership and her ongoing commitment to strengthening Aboriginal community-controlled health across New South Wales through her work with the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW. We’re proud to celebrate this achievement and the impact it reflects for our communities and the sector.

Read the full Media Release here.

Celebrating leadership, culture and connection at UGL

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Eleven emerging First Nations UGL leaders have taken the next step in their careers at UGL, gaining new skills, cultural confidence and clear pathways into future leadership roles.

Over recent months, these Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees completed UGL’s First Nations Leadership Program, delivered with the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC). The program focused on building capability, strengthening cultural identity and supporting participants to lead positive change in their teams.

A standout moment was a cultural immersion on Country led by Peter Jenson from Circles in the Sand. Participants learned traditional practices such as fire starting and ochre spitting while engaging in meaningful conversations about identity, family and leadership. Many shared that this experience deepened their pride and connection, helping them step confidently into leadership at UGL.

UGL is committed to creating meaningful pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and ensuring our workplaces reflect the knowledge, culture and strength of First Nations peoples.

Congratulations to all eleven participants on completing the program and stepping forward in your leadership journey.