The Health Education and Services Australia (HESA) is reviewing its Immunisation Education Program Accreditation Standards to ensure they continue to support high-quality education and prepare graduates for safe, competent and culturally safe immunisation practice.
Consultation on the draft Standards is open from 20 October to 30 November 2026.
About the review
First published in 2020, the Standards set expectations for the quality of immunisation education programs accredited by HESA. They are aligned with the National Immunisation Education Framework for Health Professionals (2017), which provides a nationally consistent foundation for immunisation education.
The review maintains alignment with the National Framework while responding to changes in immunisation policy, workforce roles, education and assessment, and community needs. It considers how programs prepare graduates to practise across different professional, jurisdictional and service contexts, with an emphasis on cultural safety and equitable immunisation outcomes.
Have your say
We invite feedback from education providers, health professionals, health services, government agencies, professional and peak bodies, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, and consumer and community representatives.
Your feedback will help ensure the Standards are clear, relevant and achievable. We welcome comments on the proposed requirements and evidence guide, any gaps or areas needing clarification, and practical considerations for implementation.
To contribute:
- Download the consultation paper below.
- Provide feedback in a separate document or as comments directly within the draft Standards. Feedback should identify the relevant standard or section and, where possible, include suggested amendments and supporting rationale.
- Email your submission to consultation@hesa.com.au by Monday 30 November, using the subject line “Immunisation Education Standards Consultation” by the closing date.
Process overview
The Standards review follows five phases:
- Planning – environmental scan, establishment of the Standards Review Committee and evaluation of the current Standards
- Development – preparation and internal review of the draft Standards, evidence guide and consultation paper
- Targeted consultation – stakeholder feedback on the draft Standards and evidence guide
- Refinement – consideration of consultation findings and revision of the Standards and evidence guide
- Approval and publication – HESA Board approval and publication of the Standards and supporting resources
Project governance
The Standards Review Committee (SRC) provides expert advice throughout the review. The HESA project team will collate consultation feedback for the Committee’s consideration and use it to refine the draft documents. The HESA Board is responsible for final approval of the Standards.
The SRC Terms of Reference have been published as an appendix in the below consultation paper.
Consultation paper
Download the consultation paper and draft Standards here
Consultation on the draft Standards is open from 20 October to 30 November 2026
For questions about the review or providing feedback, contact consultation@hesa.com.au
Regulatory context
The Standards establish the requirements against which HESA assesses immunisation education programs seeking or maintaining HESA accreditation. Compliance with the Standards is expected for programs seeking HESA accreditation; however, HESA accreditation is not mandatory for immunisation education programs in Australia.
Education providers must comply with applicable professional, regulatory and jurisdictional requirements, including any state or territory requirements relating to recognised immunisation education, vaccination authorisation and scope of practice.