Since 2020 Australian residential aged care providers have been required to deliver an annual influenza vaccination program for all staff. The Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (effective 1 November 2025) reinforce that requirement and add a deeper expectation of system-level immunisation governance.
The core requirements
- Offer free annual flu vaccination to all care and non-care staff working on site.
- Document each staff member’s vaccination status, or their refusal, on an internal register.
- Make reasonable efforts to encourage uptake (timing, accessibility, communications).
- Apply equivalent processes to volunteers, contractors and where appropriate visitors during outbreak season.
Refusals and exemptions
Refusal is generally permitted. Medical exemption is documented by the staff member’s GP. During an outbreak, unvaccinated staff may be restricted from contact with residents under public health direction.
How to deliver it efficiently
- Pre-clinic online consent and identification.
- Two pharmacist immunisers for clinics over ~30 staff.
- Two rooms running in parallel: one for vaccination, one for the 15-minute observation period.
- Same-day digital sign-off so the staff register updates immediately.
- End-of-clinic compliance report for your provider records.
The bigger picture
Flu mandates are one part of a broader immunisation system the Strengthened Standards now expect: a documented program covering residents, workers and visitors, with a qualified IPC lead and data analysis. See our strengthened standards explainer.
Sources & further reading
General information only. This article is educational and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Your immuniser will confirm eligibility and contraindications on the day.
TGA advertising compliance. Vaccines are referred to by disease or category in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. Specific brands and registered indications are discussed at the consultation.