347 National Immunisation Program for Healthcare Practitioners

 

Scheduled website upgrade

We are scheduled to upgrade our CNnect website from 5:00pm AEDT Monday 15 January 2024 and is expected to be back online by 12:00pm AEDT Tuesday 16 January 2024. The system will be temporarily unavailable during this period and students will not be able to access their course material.

Should you encounter any difficulties logging into CNnect following the upgrade, please reach out for assistance via email at CNnect.support@acn.edu.au. For any enquiries regarding your CPD or Immunisation course, please contact your course coordinator at cpd@acn.edu.au or immunisation@acn.edu.au. Your understanding is appreciated and apologise for any inconvenience.

The Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) National Immunisation Program for Healthcare Practitioners course is based on the National Immunisation Education Framework for Health Professionals (2017) and has been accredited by the ANMAC subsidiary Health Education Services Australia (HESA) to deliver this course. HESA is the National body for health education accreditation and ACN is the first institution to have its Immunisation course accredited.

ACN aims to continually offer self-directed courses that are contemporary and relevant to meet the needs of our students and industry which includes an interactive and engaging learning delivery system with opportunities to interact with other students while also having a dedicated course coordinators for support.


Intakes
Start instantly!
Apply now


Duration
Flexible, self-paced
(a minimum of 21 days up to a maximum of 120 days)


Study Mode
Online
self-directed courses


CPD
Equivalent to 
80 hours

 

 

 

Why study this course

Health care providers are at the forefront in protecting the community’s health and wellbeing. Immunisation as a national public health strategy continues to be a cost-effective means in reducing the mortality and morbidity rates related to vaccine-preventable diseases in Australia. In line with the emphasis of the National Immunisation Strategy 2019 – 2024, it is also recognised that having appropriately trained health professionals is crucial in ensuring successful delivery of immunisation services to improve immunisation coverage rates nationally.

The design of the National Immunisation Program for Healthcare Practioners (HESA accredited) course hinges on the national educational requirements as determined by the National Framework (2017). This course aims to equip health practitioners with the essential attributes to be immunisation advocates and promote immunisation uptake nationally. Health practitioners who have successfully passed this course should refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care in the jurisdiction they practice in, or wish to practice in, for information and conditions leading to authorisation to immunise independent of a medical officer.

 

Course overview

 

How to apply

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care professionals to study this course. If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person we encourage you to let us know in your application. If you require assistance with completing your application or support during the course please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Before applying

COVID-19 vaccines and training is not specifically included in this course. For information on COVID-19 vaccines please access this website.

Please note that completing the 347 National Immunisation Program for Healthcare Practitioners (HESA accredited) course does not necessarily change your scope of practice or allow you to immunise without a medical officer. Direct entry midwives or dual registration nurse/midwives who do not have current RN registration, enrolled nurses, registered nurses in the ACT and other health care professionals are responsible for checking their standards of practice as designated by the NMBA or other applicable registering authority. State and Territory jurisdiction and guidelines must be followed by all health care professionals and you are advised to check with your practising authority to consider if this course is appropriate for you to use in your desired clinical setting. For more information please refer to our FAQ ‘Can enrolled nurses, midwives and pharmacists study this course?‘.

Scholarship

Eric Murray Achievement Award
The Eric Murray Achievement Award is a scholarship that can be applied for by current immunisation students. More information can be found here

Course price

2025 price*:
$500


Refunds are not applicable for this course and are not permitted unless requested within the first 10 business days from course enrolment AND the course has not been accessed. If an applicant meets certain criteria with extenuating circumstances, a refund voucher may be requested within the first two months of the course IF the course has not been accessed in this time. This will permit the applicant to re-enrol into the course at a later date within 12 months.
*Fees are subject to change without notice.

 

Current intake

TitleOpen DateClose DateApply
347 National Immunisation for Health Practitioners 2024 Dec1/12/202431/12/2024Apply Now

 
Only the current intake month will be displayed and is available for enrolment, this will update automatically on the first of each month. Enrolment for future start dates is not permitted.

 

Frequently asked questions

Pre-enrolment - eligibility and intake

How do I enrol?

Click on the ‘apply now’ green button at the bottom of this page. Have your Ahpra number ready as this must be entered to progress with your application.

Can enrolled nurses, midwives, paramedics, ATSIHW and pharmacists study this course?

Yes, they can!
The National Immunisation Program for Healthcare Practitioners (HESA accredited) course is suitable for registered and enrolled nurses, midwives, pharmacists and other allied health workers. Evidence of registration with a relevant professional board is required on application. All health professionals applying to enrol in the course must confirm eligibility to immunise independent of medical officers after completing this course by checking the health policy in their relevant state or territory. Immunisation scope of practice information for health professionals can be found on this NCIRS document.

Please refer to the jurisdictional conditions in the state / territory you practice in for further information regarding authorisation as immunisers.


State / Territory

Information

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Registered Nurse and Midwife Vaccination Standards

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Vaccination services

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia – Immunisation training

New South Wales

Authority for registered nurses and midwives

Authorised Nurse Immunisers (policy directive)

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia – Immunisation training

Pharmacist initiation and administration of vaccines

Expansion of NSW pharmacist vaccination program from 1 January 2019

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Vaccination services

Northern Territory

Immunisation: health professionals

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Vaccination services

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia – Immunisation training

Queensland

Queensland Health information and authority for RNs and ENs

South Australia

Vaccine administration code

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia – Immunisation training

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Vaccination services

Tasmania

Authorised immunisers in Tasmania

Information for Immunisation providers

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Vaccination services

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia – Immunisation training

Victoria

Immunisers in Victoria

Nurse immunisers requirements and responsibilities

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia – Immunisation training

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Vaccination services

Pharmacist immunisers

Western Australia

Immunisation education

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Vaccination services

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia – Immunisation training

What intakes are available or when can I start?

This course is self-paced and flexible. Future enrolment is not possible, your course begins on the day you enrol.

I am a new graduate nurse looking for work. Can I still do the course?

Yes. You do not need to be currently employed or have any specific experience to enrol in the course.

I have completed an Immunisation course with ACN previously. Do I need to do this course again?

If you have previously completed an Immunisation course with ACN, and have maintained the education updates as stipulated by the jurisdiction you are practicing in, you may not be required to complete this course again. Immunisation updates sessions as continuing professional development (CPD) are offered by ACN and are available around Australia.

Is there recognition of prior learning (RPL) for this course?

If you have previously completed a non-ACN immunisation course that was not HESA accredited in the last 5 years that meets the requirements as stipulated in The National Immunisation Education Framework for Health Professionals (2017), you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL). RPL is assessed on a case-by-case basis.  Please email immunisationadmin@acn.edu.au to receive an information package for RPL.

How is the Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) course different from other HESA accredited courses?

ACN has been delivering immunisation courses for over 15 years to thousands of nurses, and other health professionals and was the first to gain HESA accreditation and National recognition in 2020.

This self- directed course is 80 hours’ worth of study and designed for students to use their critical thinking skills, rather than just rote learning, and apply this in practice to become safe and independent nurse immunisers.

During the course

How do I login?

Your username is your email address. If you are not logged in and need to retrieve your username or password, select Sign in from the menu followed by Forgot username? or Forgot password?
If you are still having issues logging in after attempting to retrieve your username or password please email membership@acn.edu.au or phone (02) 9745 7500.

How will this course benefit my practice?

Immunisation remains a simple, safe and effective means of protecting one from illness, disability and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases (WHO, 2023).
The ‘No jab, no pay’ immunisation requirements introduced in 2016 by the Australian government means that there are greater career opportunities for authorised immunisers to be involved in leading and delivering immunisation services Australia-wide.
The National Immunisation Program for Healthcare Practitioners (HESA accredited) course will benefit your practice by helping you to develop a better understanding of the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to competently deliver a professional immunisation service to the communities in Australia.
Please refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care of your state or territory for specific restrictions, requirements and scope of practice as an authorised immuniser.

What are the prospects of completing the immunisation course?

Completing this course will help to enhance your employability and widen your career options. Being equipped with the knowledge and skills in immunisation may just help you clinch your next ideal job. You could be combining work and travel to the beautiful exotic locations that Australia has to offer. Please refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care of your state or territory for specific restrictions and scope of practice as an authorised immuniser.

Will I have support?

Yes! Even though this is an online self-directed course, you will have access to the following support as required and when requested:

  • a course coordinator who can provide additional support
  • IT support for troubleshooting access issues.

How is the course structured and what content do you cover?

Education Framework for Health Professionals (2017) requirements:
Theme 1: The Global and Australian Context for Immunisation (15 hours)
Theme 2: The Law, Ethics and Immunisation (15 hours)
Theme 3: The Immune System and Immunisation (15 hours)
Theme 4: Immunisation Practice (35 hours)
This course is 100% completed online where you will have the opportunity to interact with other students in a focused learning environment. 

Is there any clinical placement? Do I have to complete a clinical component to get the certificate?

There is no clinical component or face-to-face classes.
ACN will not be organising any clinical placement for the course and it is not a requirement to complete the course. A certificate of completion will be available after the completion of all online assessments as required.

What are the course assessment items?

There are six assessment tasks that are completed online. Each theme is assessed using a multiple-choice quiz. The last assessment is broken down into two parts; 5.1 which is a multiple choice quiz and 5.2 which contains three catch-up table based on scenarios.
All assessment tasks must be passed to pass the course which includes being completed on time.
There is a recommended study and assessment timetable to help you plan and manage the workload in this course.

Course recognition

How long will the certificate be valid?

The certificate has no expiry date as long as the required education updates stipulated by the jurisdiction you are practicing in are maintained annually. If you have not completed the required updates you may be required to complete the course again, you would be advised to check with your local immunisation coordinator or Public Health Unit (PHU) regarding the need for this.

Can I use this 347 National Immunisation Program for Healthcare Practitioners (HESA accredited) course in my jurisdiction?

Currently the 347 National Immunisation Program for Healthcare Practitioners accredited course is valid nationally.
Please ensure you check with your jurisdiction regarding your ability to practice using this certificate in your profession and any other requirements. 

What does HESA approval mean?

HESA stands for Health Education Services Australia which is a new subsidiary of ANMAC. HESA has been established to support institutions with health education projects and accreditation, including immunisation education.

Financial matters

Can I get a refund, deferral or withdraw from the course after I have already applied?

Refunds are not applicable for this course and are not permitted unless requested within the first 10 working days from course enrolment AND the course has not been accessed. If an applicant meets certain criteria with extenuating circumstances, a refund voucher may be requested within the first two months of the course only and the course has not been accessed. This will permit the applicant to re-enrol into the course at a later date within 12 months.

Withdrawals can be made at any time by sending an email to immunisation@acn.edu.au, no refund will be given in this instance. The course cannot be transferred to another person or redeemed as credit. For further information contact the Customer Services team on 1800 265 534. 

Can I pay for this course in instalments?

Full fees will need to be paid at the time of application for enrolment.

My employer wants to sponsor me to do the course. How can they do it?

Please email immunisationadmin@acn.edu.au with a purchase order so that an invoice can be created.
Group purchases can also be coordinated by emailing the admin team as above.  

Can I claim this course as a tax deductible expense?

It is best to speak to your accountant or contact the Australian Taxation Office.

 
 
 

Contact us

Need more information? You can contact our dedicated administrative team to help you with all of your general enquiries or to send purchase orders through for employer paid applications. If you need more assistance with deciding if this course is right for you please email the course coordinator .

For general enquiries:
Customer Services
t: 02 9745 7500 or 1800 265 534 (charges may apply)
e: immunisationadmin@acn.edu.au

 

 

For specific course assistance:
Rachel McCullough – Nurse Educator, Higher Education
Sally Byrne – Nurse Educator, Higher Education
Thuy-An Le (An) – Nurse Educator, Higher Education
Eva Liu- Nurse educator, Higher Education 

e: immunisation@acn.edu.au