Infection Control Guidelines

Infection Control Guidelines - navigation page

This document outlines the principles involved in, and the procedures necessary for, the prevention of the transmission of infectious diseases in the health care setting, referred to as infection control or infection control procedures.

Infection control guidelines for the prevention of transmission of infectious diseases in the health care setting

Introduction (PDF 218 KB)

This part includes:

• How to Use this Document
• Preface
• Terms of reference
• Committee membership

Part 1 Principles of Infection Control

Print friendly version (PDF 319 KB)

This part includes:

1. Infection control strategy
2. Basic infection control measures
3. Identifying hazards and minimising the risks of infection
4. Who is at risk from what?
5. Responsibilities
6. Other key issues for infection control
7. Disinfectants and sterilants

Part 2 Quality Management

Print friendly version (PDF 177 KB)
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This part includes:

8. Quality administrative arrangements
9. Education and training
10. Ethical and legal issues

Part 3 Effective Work Practices and Procedures

Print friendly version (PDF 765 KB)
This part includes:
Contents and chapters 11 to 16 (PDF 333 KB)

11. Design and maintenance of health care premises
12. Handwashing and personal hygiene
13. Personal protective equipment
14. Handling and disposal of sharps
15. Management of clinical and related wastes
16. Reprocessing of reusable instruments and equipment

Chapters 17 to 22 (PDF 400 KB)

17. Instruments and equipment requiring special processing
18. Environmental cleaning and spills management
19. Linen, laundry and food services
20. Therapeutic devices
21. Surveillance and outbreak investigations
22. Protection for health care workers

Chapters 23 to 26 (PDF 256 KB)

23. INeedlestick and other blood or body fluid incidents
24. Bloodborne viruses: issues for infected health care workers and students
25. Blood and blood products for transfusion
26. Organs and tissues for transplantation

Part 4 Managing Infectious Diseases in the Health Care Setting

Print friendly version (PDF 721 KB)
This part includes:

27. Overview of diseases
28. Viral diseases
29. Bacterial diseases
30. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
31. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (PDF 231 KB) - revised version as of December 2007
32. Other diseases

Part 5 Infection Control in Specific Health Care Settings (PDF 219 KB)

This part includes:

33. Operating theatres and day surgery units
34. Office practice (general)
35. Dental practice
36. Midwifery and obstetrics
37. Home and community
38. Long-term care establishments

Appendices (PDF 3511 KB)

This part includes:

• Appendix 1 Consensus numerator definitions
• Appendix 2 Australian notifiable diseases
• Appendix 3 Australian/New Zealand Standards
• Appendix 5 Reviewers of previous edition
• Appendix 6 Respondents to public consultation
• Appendix 7 National Contact Information
• Appendix 8 ANCAHRD Bulletin No. 16
• Appendix 9 Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Glossary and Abbreviations and Acronyms (PDF 134 KB)
References (PDF 313 KB)
Consolidated document for Printing (PDF 3372 KB)


Hard copies of the Infection Control Guidelines have been distributed nationally to public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, peak health organisations, state and territory health departments, health libraries and universities.

Unfortunately, the department is not in a position to distribute a free copy to students or individuals requesting a copy for their own personal library. Alternatively, a free copy can be sent to a school/university library or a council/town library.

Requests for the Infection Control Guidelines should be sent to icg@health.gov.au

If you are having difficulty downloading the PDF document(s) please email icg@health.gov.au and we will make alternative arrangements.Top of page