The AH&MRC welcomes recent changes introduced on the 10th September 2026 to the NSW Authority and Standards for Aboriginal Health Practitioners, which remove the requirement for Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHPs) to administer vaccines within the line of sight of a registered nurse or midwife.
This important change recognises the skills, qualifications and professionalism of AHPs and reduces an unnecessary barrier to the delivery of timely, culturally safe vaccination services in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs).
The updated standards also expand the authority for AHPs to administer the pneumococcal vaccine Capvaxive to people aged 18 years and over, aligning with recent changes to the National Immunisation Program.
These amendments follow advocacy by AH&MRC highlighting concerns that the previous line-of-sight requirement was inconsistent with the training, registration and capabilities of AHPs. The changes will provide services with greater flexibility in delivering immunisation services, particularly in regional and remote settings.
What has changed?
- Line-of-sight requirement removed: AHPs are no longer required to work within the line of sight of a registered nurse or midwife when administering vaccines under the NSW Authority and Standards.
- Capvaxive eligibility expanded: AHPs can now administer the pneumococcal vaccine Capvaxive to people aged 18 years and over, aligning with recent changes to the National Immunisation Program.
What this means for Aboriginal medical services
Under the current authority, eligible Aboriginal Health Practitioners can supply and administer the following:
- Adrenaline (epinephrine)
- Diphtheria toxoid
- Human papillomavirus vaccine
- Influenza and coryza vaccine ‘Influenza vaccine’
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Pertussis antigen ‘Pertussis vaccine’
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus pre- fusion F protein vaccine
- Recombinant varicella zoster virus glycoprotein e antigen vaccine
- SARS-COV-2 (COVID19) vaccine
- Tetanus toxoid
To be eligible, AHPs must meet the requirements of having the required knowledge, skills, competency and training under the NSW Aboriginal Health Practitioners Vaccination Standards.
Member services should implement the changes through their usual clinical governance processes and continue to follow current NSW requirements or restrictions relating to the patient’s age, National Immunisation Program guidance and relevant vaccine protocols.
A step forward, but more work remains
AH&MRC welcomes these changes as an important step towards recognising the full contribution of AHPs to immunisation delivery.
We will continue to advocate for AHPs to work to their full scope of practice in NSW, including consideration of broader authority to administer additional vaccines, particularly routine childhood vaccines, where appropriate training, competency and clinical governance arrangements are in place.
AH&MRC will also continue to support member services through immunisation resources, workforce support and advocacy to strengthen vaccine delivery and protect communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.
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