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Clinical placement checks and clearances
Vaccination and immunisation
Requirements
The vaccination and immunisation requirements are outlined under a NSW Ministry of Health policy directive.
You will need to have completed vaccinations before you start your placement and show evidence of protection against the following infectious diseases:
- dTpa – Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Hepatitis B*
- MMR – Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- TB – Tuberculosis – via risk assessment tool
*Carrying Hepatitis B does not necessarily preclude you from meeting NSW Ministry of Health verification requirements.
If you have not already had the required vaccinations you need to complete this process which can take up to six months. Vaccinations and advice are available through the University Health Service at the Camperdown Campus.
If you are a higher degree by research student, check the requirements below and contact Student Verification at student.verification@sydney.edu.au as they will manage the submission of your documents to NSW Health.
Tuberculosis (TB) screening
TB testing will be required if you meet any of the following criteria.
- You were born in a high-incidence tuberculosis country.
- You have lived or travelled a cumulative 3 months or more during your lifetime in any of the high-incidence countries.
- You have had contact that could result in transmission of infection with someone known to have TB.
The above criteria also apply to higher degree by research students attending a NSW Health facility.
The University Health Service offers TB screening. Both an IGRA (QUANTAFERON GOLD test) and Mantoux Skin Test are acceptable evidence you have been tested for TB under the Occupational Screening Policy (2018). Depending on your result, you may be required to have a chest x‐ray.
If you're a student visa holder and had a chest x-ray when you applied for your student visa, you will still need to have a TB screening if you meet any of the above criteria. Chest X-rays only show active or infectious tuberculosis. You may have latent or silent tuberculosis which does not show on a chest x‐ray. Latent or silent tuberculosis does not cause any symptoms but can progress to active or infectious tuberculosis.
Attending placements if you need TB screening
If you are in the first year of your degree you can be granted a 6 month temporary compliant status, and can attend placements during this 6‐month period, provided you have:
- completed all other vaccination requirements (including at least one documented dose of hepatitis B vaccine)
- submitted your criminal record check to Student Verification for processing.
You need to complete your hepatitis B vaccination schedule and tuberculosis screening during this six‐month period or your temporary verification will lapse.
You can't attend a placement after this six‐month period until you show evidence you have completed your hepatitis B vaccination schedule and TB screening.
Influenza Vaccination
Annual influenza vaccination is mandatory for all students who are attending a placement between 1 June and 30 September each year. Students must receive the current southern hemisphere influenza vaccine registered for use by the TGA. You should also have your doctor, vaccination nurse or pharmacist update the information on your NSW Health Adult Vaccination Record or Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
Student Placements and COVID-19
Effective 16th May 2024, NSW Health has removed the requirements for students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. All students and healthcare workers are, however, strongly recommended to stay up to date with COVID-19 immunisation as recommended for their age and health status by ATAGI in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Blood borne virus declaration (Medicine, Dentistry and Oral Health students)
Commencing students in the disciplines of medicine, dentistry or oral health will need to complete the Attachment 1 blood borne virus declaration form (pdf, 58KB) and have it verified by NSW Health before your first clinical placement. You will need to repeat this process every three years.
Refer to the Information for healthcare students who perform exposure prone procedures (pdf, 97KB).
Last updated: 20 May 2024
