1800 061 660
acn@acn.edu.au
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.
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
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 Assessments
Course Content
Recommended duration
Assessment Format
Grade to pass
Theme 1
15 hours
Assessment 1 Multiple choice x10 questions
75% within 3 attempts
Theme 2
Assessment 2 Multiple choice x10 questions
Theme 3
Assessment 3 Multiple choice x10 questions
Theme 4
Assessment 4 Multiple choice x10 questions
Assessment 5.1 Multiple choice x50 questions
80% to pass within 3 attempts
Assessment 5.2 Catch up tables x3 Dropdown box Question and answer
100% to pass within 3 attempts
All assessments are open book and do not have a time limit. *Students are encouraged to work through all three scenarios concurrently. 100% is required in each component due to safety and the importance of accuracy with medication administration. Discussion with course tutors is highly encouraged.
Academic Integrity The Australian College of Nursing takes Academic Integrity and course quality very seriously. Therefore, we have systems in place to flag course progress and activity that is considered out of the ordinary for further review.
Collusion, working with fellow students or experienced colleagues to complete this course is not permitted. If there is reasonable suspicion that you may have breached ACN's academic integrity as per our academic integrity matrix and expectations, you may be asked to complete a final catch-up scenario which is unique to you and referred to as an alternate assessment. A review occurs for approximately 5% of all students and an alternate assessment is required for 1-2% of students.
Admission
This course is available to the following with National board registration:
NOTE: All health professionals applying to enrol in the course must confirm their eligibility to immunise independent of medical officers by checking the Department of Health and Aged Care policy in their relevant state or territory. Immunisation scope of practice information for health professionals can be found on this NCIRS document.
Technical Requirements
It is a requirement of this course that you have access to a computer or laptop and internet access using either Google Chrome or Firefox. Any costs in relation to this requirement are additional and not part of the course fees.
All assessment items must be completed online with a stable internet connection, a drop in internet connection may cause any unsaved assessment data to be lost. ACN is not liable for any lost assessment data.
Support
ACN recognises that immunisation is a complex and fluid area of health care which requires critical thinking and analysis particularly when planning catch-up. This course focuses on real world scenarios and fosters a deep understanding of reviewing and interpreting immunisation resources, in particular the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) rather than memorising facts.
Each course intake will have a course coordinator who oversees the course and provides tutoring as required. You are encouraged to contact them as required for assistance with navigation, course progress, assessments and general immunisation related questions.
Resources
The following are some of the resources used which you can access online prior to course commencement:
Award
Students who have successfully passed this course will be awarded an electronic certificate of completion when all course requirements have been met, and 80 CPD hours. Certificates or letters stating completed CPD hours will not be awarded for partial completion of the course. CPD hours can be self-recorded using the Ahpra template.
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.
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?‘.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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)
Pharmacist initiation and administration of vaccines
Expansion of NSW pharmacist vaccination program from 1 January 2019
Northern Territory
Immunisation: health professionals
Queensland
Queensland Health information and authority for RNs and ENs
South Australia
Vaccine administration code
Tasmania
Authorised immunisers in Tasmania
Information for Immunisation providers
Victoria
Immunisers in Victoria
Nurse immunisers requirements and responsibilities
Pharmacist immunisers
Western Australia
Immunisation education
This course is self-paced and flexible. Future enrolment is not possible, your course begins on the day you enrol.
Yes. You do not need to be currently employed or have any specific experience to enrol in the course.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes! Even though this is an online self-directed course, you will have access to the following support as required and when requested:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Full fees will need to be paid at the time of application for enrolment.
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.
It is best to speak to your accountant or contact the Australian Taxation Office.
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