Pharmacist immunisers

In South Australia, pharmacist immunisers can provide vaccination services including:

• Government funded vaccines through programs such as the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program and SA funded programs
• Privately funded vaccines — including travel related vaccines.

Authorisation and practice requirements

From January 2025, appropriately trained pharmacists may administer vaccines in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Handbook under regulation 18(3a) of the Controlled Substance (Poisons) Regulations 2011.

Pharmacist immunisers must ensure they understand and comply with all relevant legal, professional and clinical practice requirements when providing vaccination services.

The following SA Health resources support safe and high-quality immunisation practice and should be used as primary reference for common queries:

• Pharmacist Vaccine Administration Practice Guide (PDF 327KB)
  
• Pharmacist Vaccine Administration - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 264KB)

National Immunisation Program Vaccination in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program – South Australia

The NIPVIP Program is an Australian Government funded initiative that allows eligible people aged 5 years and over to receive free National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines from participating community pharmacies, with no out-of-pocket cost.

In addition, pharmacists may administer NIP funded vaccines to children aged 6 months to under 5 years; however, a NIPVIP service fee is not payable for these vaccinations.

As NIP vaccines are delivered by a range of providers, including pharmacists, not all NIP vaccines are available for ordering by pharmacies.

More information, including FAQs, eligibility, claiming and payments, can be found on the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program Portal.

National Immunisation Program (NIP) – South Australia Schedules

The NIP — South Australia Schedules combine both NIP funded and state funded vaccines. The NIP Schedule outlines routinely recommended vaccines from birth through adulthood, while the South Australian Government also funds additional vaccines for eligible cohorts.

As of April 2026, there are two separate NIP — South Australia Schedules: 

• National Immunisation Program: South Australia Childhood Schedule (PDF 92KB) 
• National Immunisation Program: South Australia Adolescent and Adult Schedule (PDF 52KB) 

These schedules are updated regularly. Pharmacist immunisers must ensure they are using the most current version and administer vaccines according to these schedules, the SA Health Pharmacist Vaccine Administration Practice Guide, Australian Immunisation Handbook and relevant South Australian legislation.

Service fees for vaccine administration (pharmacies)

Vaccine stock

Australian and South Australian government funded vaccines are provided free of charge to community pharmacies.

NIPVIP service fee

For eligible NIPVIP vaccinations the Pharmacy Programs Administrator (PPA) pays a service fee of $20.05 per vaccination to pharmacies. This rate may be updated by the PPA.

Pharmacies must not charge patients any additional fees for a NIPVIP service.

NIPVIP service fees can only be claimed for people aged 5 years and over.

State funded vaccines

No government service fee is paid for the administration of state funded vaccines.

Pharmacies may charge a private service fee to the patient up to $20.05 per vaccination.

Any fees must be clearly communicated to the patient (or parent/carer) before vaccination.

Vaccine ordering and storage

Information on vaccine storage and how to order government funded vaccines is on the Vaccine ordering and storage webpage.

For further information on vaccine ordering refer to:

• Vaccine Ordering and Distribution Information sheet (PDF 270KB)
• NIPVIP Vaccine Ordering and service payment fact sheet (PDF 317KB).

Please only order vaccines in quantities appropriate to your pharmacy’s needs to minimise wastage and maintain cold chain integrity.

Some vaccines are available for people aged 10 to less than 20 years to catch up on missed vaccines. For more information, see the NIP catch-up schedule for people ≥10 years of age. To order these vaccines, contact the Immunisation Section on 1300 232 272

2026 Influenza Program

SA Health supports pharmacists to access funded influenza vaccines for eligible cohorts:

• Factsheet for Pharmacists: Influenza vaccine for children 6 months to less than 5 years of age (PDF 260KB)
• Factsheet for Immunisation Providers: 2026 South Australian Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccination program
• Annual Funded Influenza Program South Australia Schedule (PDF 65KB)

For further information refer to the Influenza information for health professionals webpage.

Reporting vaccine administration

Australian Immunisation Register

Vaccination providers are mandated to report all NIP vaccines administered to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) records vaccines for people of all ages in Australia. All providers delivering immunisation services must report doses administered to the AIR. For further information on applying to register with AIR, see Immunisation records and registers webpage.

SA Health Immunisation Section

Program errors

A vaccine administration error occurs when a vaccine is given outside the recommended clinical guideline recommendations and additional clinical management advice is required.

• How to report vaccine administration errors

Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI)

An AEFI is a notifiable condition. Pharmacists are required to report an AEFI to SA Health.

• How to report an AEFI (adverse event following immunisation)

Resources

For more information on immunisation program resources to support the delivery of immunisation services are available on the Immunisation Resources webpage.

Contact

Immunisation section
Phone: 1300 232 272
Email: HealthImmunisationadmin@sa.gov.au