Over the past few years, AH&MRC has continued to support smoking and vaping cessation initiatives and ongoing work across the sector. AH&MRC has worked closely with member services and stakeholders to support access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), workforce training, and culturally appropriate smoking cessation support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
AH&MRC has also collaborated with stakeholders including the Cancer Institute NSW, to support ACCHOs with access to funded NRT supplies, with opportunities available for services to receive funding support during this financial year.
AH&MRC has partnered with ‘WhichWay?’ to implement and evaluate a Women’s Group Program: ‘Gulibaa Project – Supporting Women on Their Quit Journey’ aimed at supporting the sector to deliver culturally safe smoking and vaping cessation support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
As part of this year’s World No Tobacco Day activities, AH&MRC is happy to announce the relaunch of the Quit Pack | WhichWay? with the resource expanding nationally to support more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. You can download their promotional resource kit here.
If your service would like further information about AH&MRC smoking and vaping cessation support, workforce training, or access to resources including NRT support initiatives, please reach out to the AH&MRC Public Health Team publichealth@ahmrc.org.au
This means that Member Services can now provide FREE FluMist to ALL children and teens aged 2 to 17 years.
We encourage Member Services to offer and promote FluMist as an option for children and teens aged 2 to 17 years. This will support efforts to boost flu vaccine coverage as we head into winter, with initial feedback suggesting high demand for FluMist among families attending Member Services.
Due to limited shelf-life, we encourage Services to prioritise timely use of existing FluMist stock, however Services with low stock can place a new FluMist order via the State Vaccine Centre.
Note that FluMist is not registered for use in children aged under 2 years or adults.
Read more about the nasal spray flu vaccine and find related AH&MRC resources here. As always, please reach out to us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if you have any questions or concerns.
A large diphtheria outbreak is currently affecting the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.
Between 1 January and 26 May 2026, at least 248 cases were notified nationally, making this one of the largest outbreaks in decades. Importantly, more than 94% of cases have occurred among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. No cases have been reported in NSW so far in 2026. Australia’s Chief Medical Officer declared the outbreak acommunicable disease incident of national significance (CDINS)on 22 May 2026, to improve the outbreak response coordination between the federal and state and territory governments.
Diphtheria is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Corynebacterium ulcerans. It commonly affects the upper respiratory tract, presenting with sore throat, low-grade fever and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Within 2–3 days, an adherent grey membrane may form over the throat, leading to difficulty swallowing and breathing. Severe complications can include paralysis and pneumonia, and the disease can be fatal.
Cutaneous form of diphtheria, more common in tropical regions, presents as shallow skin ulcers covered by a greyish membrane which are often slow to heal. In the current outbreak, over two-thirds of cases have been cutaneous infections, while around one-third have been respiratory. Approximately one quarter of all cases have required hospitalisation.
Diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets (e.g. coughing and sneezing) and close contact with infected individuals, including those without symptoms. Transmission can also occur via contact with contaminated surfaces, skin lesions, or items such as tissues or clothing. Good hygiene practices are therefore essential to reduce spread.
Treatment involves antibiotics and, in more severe cases, administration of diphtheria antitoxin. Vaccination with diphtheria-toxoid vaccine remains the key preventive measure. While vaccination is highly effective at preventing severe, toxin-mediated disease, it does not reliably prevent infection or transmission.
Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), children are recommended to receive five doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months, and at 4 years of age, with a booster at 11–13 years. Pregnant women are also eligible for a funded dose between 20–32 weeks in every pregnancy.
In response to the current outbreak, NSW Health has implemented a targeted vaccination program, funding Boostrix vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are not eligible under the NIP.
Key actions for ACCHO clinics
Check vaccination status for all patients
Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to provide opportunistic review of their patients’ vaccination status and ensure vaccinations are up to date.
Fund additional doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 20 years who have not received three doses, to complete the primary course (3 doses);
Fund a booster dose for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 20 years who have previously received at least three doses, where the most recent dose was more than 10 years ago;
Fund a booster dose for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 17 years and over who have previously received at least three doses, where the most recent dose was more than 5 years ago AND they are travelling or moving to areas considered at higher risk for diphtheria.
ACCHOs can order Boostrix via the NSW Vaccine Centre using the routine vaccine order form. Please note the funded booster doses are currently only available through Aboriginal Medical Services or General Practices, not through vaccinating pharmacies.
Remain alert for diphtheria
Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion, particularly in patients with recent travel to affected regions. For suspected cases:
Take a throat swab for respiratory presentations;
Take both ulcer and throat swabs for suspected cutaneous disease.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients presenting with sore throat should also receive empiric antibiotic treatment for Group A Streptococcus, in line with current guidelines. Notify your local Public Health Unit of any suspected diphtheria cases on 1300 066 055.
You can find updates on NSW Health response to the outbreak here. You can also download diphtheria immunisation resources at the NACCHO website.
Diphtheria is vaccine-preventable but is re-emerging. Checking and updating vaccination at every opportunity, together with maintaining strong hygiene practices, remains the most important way to protect individuals, families and communities.
To support our sector to deliver smoking and vaping cessation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, AH&MRC have partnered with Which Way? to implement and evaluate a Women’s Group Program.
What is the Which Way? Women’s Group Program?
The Which Way? Women’s Group Program was developed to support our sector to deliver culturally safe smoking and vaping cessation support during pregnancy and beyond.
The program includes:
Online and in-person training (14 CPD points),
Complete resource kit, and
Access to small grants
This comprehensive program prepares Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners to facilitate the smoking and vaping cessation group program developed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. This Indigenous-led and evidence-based program combines cultural practices with behaviour change techniques to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women on their quit journey.
What topics are covered in the online training modules?
History of tobacco with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Understanding nicotine dependence and supporting withdrawal
Behaviour change techniques for smoking and vaping cessation
Running an effective group program
How to become a trained facilitator?
Sign your organisation up to the Which Way? program and evaluation
Complete the online smoking and vaping cessation training (10 CDP points)
Attend a half day in-person training with the Which Way? team (4 CPD points) to learn how to run groups – July date coming soon at Little Bay or the team can travel to your service!
Group Program Delivery After Training
The program consists of 6 flexible sessions that aim to deliver the knowledge and tools to support and empower women on their journey to being smoke and vape free. Each session contains information, activities and resources to make it easy to deliver groups. Session topics include:
Benefits of quitting smokes and vapes
Overcoming challenges to quitting
Changing behaviours and support to quit
Setting goals and developing a quit plan
Celebrating success and staying on track
The program has been designed to allow services to tailor the delivery and content. The in-person training will support services on how to do this.
What is the cost to sign up?
The program is free for AH&MRC Member Organisations who partner and contribute to the evaluation of the program. There are small grants available to support the costs of running groups in your community.
How to sign up?
Click here to access the Organisational Consent form, and a Which Way? team member will be in touch to give immediate access to the online training modules for your staff and book your team in to attend the half day in-person training.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 Programfor 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 FluMist for children aged from 2 years to 17 years, prioritising supply to the ACCHO sector. If you have difficulties securing adequateFluMist stock, please reach out to us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au
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
NSW Health recently issued an updated Authorityexpanding the range of vaccines that appropriately-trainedAHPscan administer and allowingAHPs 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
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.
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.
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.
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
