Course Access
Australian health care services
Infection prevention and control (IPC), including prevention of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is an essential component of healthcare quality and patient safety. IPC extends across multiple areas in healthcare and practices are governed by varying discipline guidelines and standards.
The following pages of collaborated IPC resources aim to guide, support, and inform all in health care services and the broader community.
Note: Resources shared across all health care settings are in theses collaborative resource pages in accordance with country.
Australian National Guidelines
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/infection-control-guidelines-feb2020.pdf
Australian National Guidelines
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/infection-control-guidelines-feb2020.pdf
Australian State and Territory Guidelines
NT: https://health.nt.gov.au/professionals/centre-for-disease-control
NSW: https://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/keep-patients-safe/infection-prevention-and-control
ACT: https://www.health.act.gov.au/businesses/infection-prevention-and-control
Victoria: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/infection-control-guidelines
WA: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/U_Z/WA-health-infection-prevention-and-control-policies
TAS: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/infection-prevention-and-control
National Health Standards
The National Safety and Quality Healthcare Standards (NSQHS)
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards
Standard 3- National Preventing and Controlling Infections
Clinical Care Standards
Sepsis: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/sepsis-clinical-care-standard
Primary and Community Health Care Standards
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/primary-and-community-healthcare
Infectious Diseases Network
Infectious Diseases
Department of Health and Aged Care – Diseases: https://www.health.gov.au/diseases
State and Territory
NT. Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control
QLD. Health Diseases
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/diseases
NSW. Infectious diseases:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Pages/default.aspx
Victoria. The Blue Book – Disease information and advice: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/disease-information-and-advice
SA. Infectious Diseases: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/infectious+disease
WA. Communicable disease control guidelines: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Communicable-disease-control-guidelines
TAS. Infectious diseases guides and factsheets: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/infectious-diseases/infectious-diseases-guides-and-fact-sheets
One Health
Australian Centre for Disease Control (interim) – One Health
https://www.cdc.gov.au/about/what-we-do/one-health
WHO One Health
https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/one-health
CDC One Health
https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/
One Health CDC Commission
https://www.onehealthcommission.org/
One Health Master Action Plan for Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy – 2020 and beyond
Indo-Pacific Centre for health security
https://indopacifichealthsecurity.dfat.gov.au/one-health
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/news/one-health-approach
Australian Medical Association – One Health position statement
https://www.ama.com.au/articles/one-health-position-statement
Australian Veterinary Association
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Australia’s national antimicrobial resistance strategy
https://www.amr.gov.au/news/australias-national-antimicrobial-resistance-strategy-2020-and-beyond
Australian Government
Australian AMS Clinical Standard
AURA 2023
National antimicrobial prescribing survey
https://www.naps.org.au/Default.aspx
National centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship
https://www.ncas-australia.org/
Australian Society for Antimicrobials – Australian Society for Antimicrobials (asainc.net.au)
TGA – antibiotics
https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/guideLine?guidelinePage=Antibiotic&frompage=etgcomplete
NPS Medicine wise – Antibiotic Resistance
https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/reducing-antibiotic-resistance
https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/reducing-antibiotic-resistance
AB Summary Table
https://www.tg.org.au/news/antibiotic-summary-table/
Media Release – It’s time to weigh up harm from antibiotics: new report
Vaccination/Immunisation
Immunisation for healthcare workers
NSQHS Standards Workforce Immunisation Risk Matrix
Australian Immunisation handbook
https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/
SAFEVAC reporting (of adverse reactions) – links to all the state reporting systems
ATAGI COVID 19 vaccine administration 2024
ATAGI Influenza vaccine administration 2024
Hand Hygiene
ACSQHC:
ACSQHC: 5 Hand Moments:
5 Moments for Hand Hygiene | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
National Hand Hygiene Initiative
Materials to support improved hand hygiene in Australia – NHHI
Hand hygiene and infection prevention and control eLearning modules
National Hand Hygiene Initiative Implementation Guide
NHHI FAQ How to manage auditors for an organisation
Direct observational auditing of hand hygiene compliance
NHHI Hand Hygiene Compliance Application (HHCApp) user guide
Standard and Transmission Precautions
ACSQHC:
State/Territory Guidelines:
PPE
ACSQHC Posters:
TGA – Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment for Health Professionals
TGA – Personal protective equipment
Face masks and respirators that are regulated by the TGA
Respiratory protection Program
State and Territory guides.
QLD:
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/1032682/fit-testing-guidance.pdf
NSW:
ACT:
Victoria:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/quality-safety-service/victorian-respiratory-protection-program
SA:
SA – Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for Infectious Respiratory Diseases Clinical Guideline
WA:
https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Respiratory-Protection-Program
Ventilation
National Construction Code: Part 3.8.5
ACSQH:
DoHAC:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-and-ventilation-easy-read?language=en
AUSHFG:
https://aushfg-prod-com-au.s3.amazonaws.com/Part%20D%20Whole_7_2.pdf
AS 1668.2-2012 Amd 2:2015 -The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings – purchase site:
DR AS 1668.2-2012 Amd 2:2015 The use of ventilation and airconditioni (intertekinform.com)
State and Territory
NSW: Engineering Services guide
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Hospitals/Publications/engineering-services-guide.pdf
ACT:
https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/stay-safe-and-healthy/covid-19-guidance-on-ventilation
Victoria:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-infection-prevention-control-guidelines/ventilation
Victorian Health Building Authority V 4 – ventilation:
WA:
Tasmania:
Building and Construction
National Construction Code
Australasian Health Facility Design Guidelines (AusHFG)
https://healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/
AusHFG Part D: Infection Prevention and Control
https://www.healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/part/part-d-infection-prevention-and-control-0
State and Territory
NT: IC During Construction Renovation Maintenance NT Hospital Policy
https://digitallibrary.health.nt.gov.au/prodjspui/handle/10137/671
QLD: West Morton IC Principles construction and renovation and repair
NSW: IPC during construction and renovation and maintenance
Victoria: IC construction booklet
Infection Control Principles for the Management of Construction Renovation Repairs and Maintenance within Health Care Facilities
Infection Control Principles for the Management of Construction, Renovation, Repairs and Maintenance within Health Care Facilities https://content.health.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/files/collections/policies-and-guidelines/c/constructionrenovationrepairsmaintenanceinhealthcf—pdf.pdf
Maintenance standards for critical areas in Victorian health facilities
Mental Health – example:
WA: IPC construction and renovation activities policy
AS / NZS 3666 Air-handling and Water Systems of Buildings
SA: IPC during construction and renovation toolkit
Commissioning Building Checklist
20230517+Checklist+Commissioning.pdf (sahealth.sa.gov.au)
Tasmania: Redevelopment example – including resources:
Guidelines for Legionella Control - health care
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection
ACSQHC: Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control resources
ACSQHC: Fact sheet: Clean and safe environment
ACSQHC: Infographic – Benefits of Environmental Cleaning
Coronavirus cleaning and disinfection for health and residential aged care homes
TGA: Appropriate use of disinfectants:
TGA: Disinfectants, sterilant and sanitary products
https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/resource/guidance/disinfectants-sterilants-and-sanitary-products
ARTG: Search Visualisation Tool
Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices
ACSQHC: Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices
Standard purchase: AS 5369:2023 Reprocessing of reusable medical devices and other devices in health and non-health related facilities
https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-5369-2023
Transitioning from AS/NZS 4187:2014 to AS 5369:2023
Sterilising Research and Advisory Council of Australia
Federal: https://www.fsraca.org.au/
State and Territory
QLD: https://sracaqld.memberjungle.com/home
NSW: https://www.sracansw.org.au/
Victoria: https://www.sracavic.org.au/
SA: https://www.sracasa.org.au/
WA: https://www.sracawa.org.au/
Australian Society for Ultrasound Medicine – guidelines for reprocessing ultrasound probes
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajum.12042
AHFG: Part B – Health Facility Briefing and Planning 0190 – Sterilizing Services and Endoscope Reprocessing Units
https://aushfg-prod-com-au.s3.amazonaws.com/HPU_B.0190_7_0.pdf
Aseptic Technique
ACSQH: Aseptic Technique
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/aseptic-technique
Aseptic Non-Touch Technique: The Association for Safe Aseptic Practice – resource download
https://www.antt.org/downloads.html
Nursing skills- Chapter 4 Aseptic Technique
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK593203/
State and Territory
Staff training, self-assessment and competency workbook
Healthcare associated Infections
ACSQHC: Healthcare associated Infections
ACSQHC: Healthcare-Associated Infection Program
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/healthcare-associated-infection-program
Australian Institute of health and Welfare (AIHW)- Admitted patient safety and quality
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/myhospitals/intersection/quality/apc
Urinary Tract Infection
CAUTI:
Gastroenterological
Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australasia (GENCA)
GENCA infection control guidelines
https://www.genca.org/public/5/files/Nurses%20info/IPCE%202021_Feb2022update.pdf
Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA)
Pathogens of Concern Management
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales
Clostridioides difficile
Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD)
Tuberculosis – CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units
Management of Blood Borne Viruses
CDNA National Guidelines for healthcare workers on managing bloodborne viruses
Australian Medical Association (AMA) Blood Borne Virus position statement
https://www.ama.com.au/position-statement/blood-borne-viruses-bbvs-2017
Hepatitis Australia – Hepatitis guidelines:
https://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/clinical-guidelines
Primary Care Australian STI Management Guidelines:
https://sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/hepatitis-b/
State and Territory
NT: Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses:
SA:
Aboriginal health Council: Sexually transmitted infections and bloodborne viruses
https://ahcsa.org.au/resources/S-Transmitted-Infections-and-Blood-Borne-Viruses-Handbook.pdf
Staff Health and Exposure
CDNA: Australian national guidelines for the management of healthcare workers living with blood borne viruses and healthcare workers who perform exposure prone procedures at risk of exposure to blood borne viruses
State and Territory
NSW: https://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/ActivePDSDocuments/PD2019_026.pdf
WA: https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Health-conditions/Blood-borne-viruses
ASHM: Emergency Service Providers and Blood-Borne Viruses
https://ashm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Resource_PBB_ESPBBV_2020_V3.
Education and Training
ACSQHC Infection Prevention and Control Work Book
NHMRC Clinical Educators Guide for the prevention and control of infection in healthcare
Victoria
VICNISS:
https://www.vicniss.org.au/department-of-health-resources/educational-opportunities/
State Gov: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/infection-prevention-and-control-online-learning
SA:
QLD:
ACSQHC:
Teleclass Education for Infection Prevention and Control
Environmental Services
Waste management
Australian Waste Policy – Department of Climate Change, Energy and Environment and Water
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/how-we-manage-waste/national-waste-policy
Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia
https://www.wmrr.asn.au/Web/Default.aspx
Environmental Protection Authority – Waste guidelines
NT: https://ntepa.nt.gov.au/consultation/environmental-guidelines
QLD: https://www.des.qld.gov.au/policies?a=272936:policy_registry/pr-gl-clinical-and-related-waste.pdf
NSW: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/waste/industrial-waste/clinical-and-related-waste
Victoria:
https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/iwrg612-1
SA: https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/waste_recycling/disposing-waste
WA: https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/guidelines-and-procedures
Linen Management
Australia/New Zealand Laundry Practice AS/NZS 4146:2000
https://www.saiglobal.com/PDFTemp/Previews/OSH/as/as4000/4100/4146.pdf
Australian HealthCare Laundry & Linen Services Association. (2012). Codes of Practice for Public Healthcare Operated Laundries and Linen Services.
Laundry Hygiene Australia
https://www.laundryhygiene.com.au/laundry-standards/
Catering
Food Standards and Safety
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/food-and-nutrition/about/food-standards-and-safety
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/
Food Standards Code
Surveillance
Validating infection surveillance data
Validating infection surveillance data | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care