Becoming a COVID-19 vaccine provider

Who can join the rollout

General practices

Many general practices are already providing access to COVID-19 vaccinations for their local communities. 

Contact your local Primary Health Network (PHN) to find out how your general practice can take part in the program. To join, your practice must:

• hold a valid accreditation (or be undergoing accreditation) through the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme, or
• administer vaccines as part of the National Immunisation Program.

Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics

Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics are providing GP-led COVID-19 vaccination services to everyone in Australia, including those who are not eligible for Medicare.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs)

Most ACCHSs are providing COVID-19 vaccination services.

ACCHSs can provide culturally specific vaccination care for regular clients and others in the community.

GPs, CVCs and ACCHOs may also provide vaccinations at locations other than their clinic or surgery. Find out more about requirements for providing offsite vaccinations.

Community pharmacies

Many community pharmacies are already providing COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Pharmacy Programs Administrator is coordinating the onboarding of community pharmacies into the COVID-19 vaccine program. 

Read more about the program and how your pharmacy can become involved.

Supervising vaccine administration

A supervising GP must accept full responsibility for services provided under the COVID-19 vaccination suitability assessment Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items.

Everyone administering vaccines, including supervising GPs, must complete the training required to deliver the below COVID-19 vaccination services.

Training for vaccine providers

Currently, it is required that mandatory training is completed before administering COVID-19 vaccines.

Training modules cover:

• administering vaccines from multi-dose vials
• handling and storage 
• monitoring for safety
• reporting adverse events.

Training can be accessed from the COVID-19 vaccination training website. 

Training is also available for non-clinical and administrative staff.

This training was developed by the Australian Government in partnership with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN).

For additional support with education resources for COVID-19 vaccines, please refer to:

• Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice:
  • Clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers
  • ATAGI recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses – poster
  • COVID-19 Vaccines in Australia – poster.
• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA):
  • COVID-19 vaccines
  • PI/CMI search facility
• State and Territory Immunisation contacts.

Training updates

We regularly update training modules to:

• include the latest advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)
• ensure they are fit for purpose for all stages of the vaccine rollout.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

This training is accredited by Health Education Services Australia (HESA). The ACN convened a Course Expert Advisory Group to assist with the development, review, and finalisation of the training modules. This group includes key peak body representatives and professional colleges.

The ACN has worked with professional colleges and organisations to accredit the training as a CPD activity for their members. Check with your professional organisation for further information.

Vaccine administration training certificates

Training certificates are issued and located in a learner’s account upon completion of the training. An employer may ask for evidence of the completed mandatory training.