Updates to National and State Immunisation Standards 2026

Various National and State Standards, Regulations and Guidelines have recently changed / updated or highlighted for reference.   These include:

• The Australian Immunisation Handbook – updating Varicella recommendations, by removing reference to 1 vaccination if under the age of 14.
• Australian Health Facility Guidelines – Isolation Rooms – Engineering Design Requirements – updating Class N – Negative Pressure Isolation rooms to include provision for interlocking door function in anterooms when used.
• Advisory D121/04 (October 2025): Disinfection requirement for reusable medical devices – confirming that the AS/NZS 5369:2023 Reprocessing standard applies to medical imaging providers for reusable medical devices.  Includes need to classify and reprocess RMDs based on the Spaulding classification.

It also sets out that Ultrasound transducers used in percutaneous procedures are classified as non-invasive medical devices unless they:

• • penetrate inside the body through non-intact skin (burn, open wound) or contact areas with mucous membrane, or
  • are unsheathed when used and come into direct contact with a puncture site.

At which point they become an invasive medical device.

• The Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations – amendments including:
  • Changing Rubella and congenital Rubella to urgent notifiable conditions.
  • Updating Rubella exclusion requirements.
  • Removing exclusion requirements for CMV, glandular fever, Hep B, Hep C, HIV, and Molluscum contagiosum.
  • Having stronger exclusion requirements for Herpes (cold sores).
  • Having stronger exclusion requirements for Pertussis contacts.
  • Having new Measles contact exclusion requirements.

• The NSW Government Health Policy Directive for the Management of Occupational Exposure to blood borne viruses (PD2026_026).
  • Important:  where the source does not consent to testing or to their test results being provided, the exposed worker should be followed up and managed as if the source is positive.
• The South Australian Government Health Guideline on Blood and Body Fluid Occupational Exposure (V1.1 G0213).

All healthcare facilities should have the capacity to monitor changes to National and State guidelines and regulations and adjust internal policies and procedures as appropriate.

For IPA members, updates have been made to relevant IP&C policies and an additional tool added to simplify understanding of notification requirements for infectious disease by State and for staff exclusion periods by disease by State.