Medicare Benefits Schedule - Note MN.12.1

Publication date: 1 July 2026

SUMMARY

This note outlines the requirements for item 10988 for the provision of immunisation services provided by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of, and under the supervision of, a medical practitioner.

USE OF THE ITEM

Note: The requirements in this note must be met in addition to the requirements for ‘on behalf of’ items contained in MN.12.6.

This item is used to administer vaccinations to patients by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of, and under the supervision of, a medical practitioner.

Health practitioners should refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook and the National Immunisation Program Schedule for guidance when assessing patient vaccine eligibility and administering vaccinations to patients.

Can I charge the patient for the cost of the vaccine if this service is bulk billed?

Yes, under certain circumstances. Where the patient is bulk billed, an additional charge can only be raised against the patient by the practitioner where the patient is provided with a vaccine or vaccines from the practitioner's own supply held on the practitioner's premises.

If the cost of the vaccine supplied in connection with a service described in item 10988 is not subsidised by government (Commonwealth or State), the service is taken not to include the supply of that vaccine.

For example, it would not be acceptable to bulk bill an Aboriginal adult patient and levy a charge for the cost of an influenza vaccine as the vaccine is covered by the National Immunisation Program. However, if an influenza vaccine is administered for an adult who is not eligible under the National Immunisation Program (patient under the age of 65 years who is not of Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander descent, not pregnant and has no specified medical risk conditions) or relevant State subsidised vaccine program, the patient could be bulk billed and a charge levied for the cost of the vaccine if it is taken from the practitioner’s own supply.

Is it ever appropriate to co-claim the immunisation item and another item?

Yes. Co-claiming may be appropriate where the service provided by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner is a separate and clinically relevant service, all the requirements of each item has been independently met and there is no duplication of services.

However, where a patient receives more than one vaccine during the service, item 10988 may only be claimed once.

Can an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner administer any vaccine under this item?

The service must be provided in accordance with any relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory laws. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and supervising medical practitioners should refer to relevant State and Territory laws for the regulation, control, supply and use of drugs and therapeutic goods for further information on vaccine administration arrangements.

ELIGIBLE PATIENTS

This item is available to all Medicare-eligible patients who require an immunisation, provided they are not admitted patients of a hospital.

ELIGIBLE PRACTITIONERS

These items are medical practitioner items. The services are delivered by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of, and under the supervision of, a medical practitioner. The medical practitioner must claim the MBS item and retain responsibility for the health, safety and clinical outcomes for the patient.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner delivering the service on behalf of the medical practitioner must be appropriately qualified and trained to deliver immunisation services.

The Health Insurance Act 1973 requires the person rendering the service to be in Australia. As the medical practitioner’s Medicare provider number is used to claim the service, they are considered to be the person who renders the service.

Information on supervision arrangements can be found in MN.12.6 (overarching note).

RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Providers are responsible for ensuring services claimed from Medicare using their provider number meet all legislative requirements and they may be required to submit evidence for compliance checks related to Medicare claims. Practitioners should ensure they keep adequate and contemporaneous records. For information on what constitutes adequate and contemporaneous records see GN.15.39.

RELEVANT LEGISLATION

Details about the legislative requirements of the MBS item(s) can be found on the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au. This item is set out in the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2021.

Related Items: 10988

• Previous - Note MN.11.1
• Next - Note MN.12.2

Immunisation provided to a person by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner if:

(a)    the immunisation is provided on behalf of, and under the supervision of, a medical practitioner; and

(b)    the person is not an admitted patient of a hospital.

Fee: $14.35 Benefit: 100% = $14.35

(See para MN.12.1, MN.12.6 of explanatory notes to this Category)