The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Practice Handbook supports day-to-day IPC practice across NSW health organisations. It outlines practical guidance for implementing the Infection Prevention and Control Policy.
Across 14 chapters, the handbook follows a risk assessment approach: establish context, identify and assess infection risks, apply control measures and review effectiveness.
Read the handbook alongside the Australian Guidelines for the Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare.
Download the handbook (PDF 5.2 MB)
Published: November 2025
Chapter downloads
- Clinical governance requirements (PDF 460.0 KB)
- Risk identification requirements (PDF 770.8 KB)
- Risk assessment framework (PDF 552.6 KB)
- Risk management (PDF 355.5 KB)
- Risk mitigation (PDF 1.3 MB)
- Transmission-based precautions (PDF 667.1 KB)
- Management of multi-drug-resistant organisms (PDF 593.8 KB)
- Outbreak and cluster management (PDF 601.4 KB)
- Surveillance, auditing and notification (PDF 316.1 KB)
- IPC in specialised settings and patient groups (PDF 418.0 KB)
- Reprocessing reusable devices in health (PDF 721.3 KB)
- Surgical Site Infection Prevention (PDF 325.0 KB)
- Building, construction and renovation (PDF 481.1 KB)
- Environmental sustainability and IPC (PDF 333.6 KB)
- References (PDF 305.6 KB)