Public health codes of practice
This page has information about links to codes of practice relating to public health in the ACT.
Cooling towers, evaporative condensers and warm water storage systems
The Cooling Towers, Evaporative Condensers and Warm Water Storage Systems (Specialised Systems) Code of Practice 2005 provides a framework for reporting and management relating to cooling towers and warm water storage systems in the ACT, with a focus on the control of Legionella bacteria.
For more information or advice, contact the Health Protection Service on 02 5124 9700.
For more information, go to cooling tower systems licensing.
Healthcare facilities
The ACT Health Care Facilities Code of Practice 2021 (the Code) protects the community from the public health risks associated with the operation and management of health care facilities that provide prescribed medical and dental procedures.
Its objective is to protect and promote health and prevent illness, injury and disability.
For more information, go to health care facility licensing fees.
Infection control for office practices and other community-based services
Businesses in the ACT that perform skin penetration procedures are required to be licensed and comply with the ACT Health Infection Control for Office Practices and other Community-based Services Code of Practice 2005.
Businesses are inspected regularly by public health officers from the Infection Control Unit to check for compliance with the code.
The ACT Health Infection Control Guidelines for office practices and other community-based services have been developed to assist businesses to comply with the code. The guidelines are based on the key principles of infection control.
Find out more at infection prevention and control.
Community pharmacies
A community pharmacy must be licensed according to the Public Health Act 1997 and must comply with the requirements of the Public Health (Community Pharmacy) Code of Practice 2016.
In addition, a pharmacy must comply with requirements of the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008, which establishes authorisations and criteria to deal with medicines and poisons.
For more information, go to community pharmacy licensing.
Drinking water utilities
The Public Health (Drinking Water) Code of Practice 2007 provides a framework for water quality management relating to the supply of drinking water under a drinking water utility licence in the ACT.
The code of practice specifies the technical requirements for the supply, quality, monitoring of, and reporting on drinking water in the ACT. The code of practice also documents the notification procedures the water utility must follow if an incident occurs that poses an imminent risk to public health.
For more information or advice, contact the Health Protection Service on 02 5124 9700.
Swimming pools and spas
The ACT Public Swimming and Spa Pools Code of Practice 1999 specifies the minimum levels of chemicals and disinfectants for the treatment of public swimming pools and public spa pools.
For more information, go to public swimming and spa pools.
Reporting notifiable conditions
The Public Health Act 1997 imposes obligations on certain individuals to report notifiable conditions to the Chief Health Officer in accordance with the applicable code of practice.
This code of practice outlines the process for reporting notifiable conditions for those functioning in a clinical and/or diagnostic role who are obliged to report notifiable conditions under the Act.
Prompt notifications will allow early public health intervention.
This code of practice applies to:
- medical practitioners
- authorised nurse practitioners
- pathologist
- hospitals.
People who are responsible for the care, counselling, support or education of someone else, are also able to report notifiable conditions under the Act, this code of practice is not the applicable code of practice for these people.
This is an enforceable code of practice under the Public Health Act 1997. It is an objective of the code to provide the notifier and the government with a set of standards for reporting notifiable conditions. It is not intended that strong enforcement practices be implemented without first consulting with the notifier and working together to address problems.
Prompt notifications will allow early public health intervention.
Go to the code on the ACT Legislation Register.
Find out more about reporting a notifiable disease.
Contact
For more information or advice on any of these codes, contact the Health Protection Service on 02 5124 9700 or email hps@act.gov.au.