TB services for healthcare professionals

Tuberculosis in Australia

Australia has an annual TB case notification rate of 5.5 to 7.0 cases per 100,000 population, which has been consistent since the 1980s. Approximately, 87% of TB notifications relate to people born overseas.

The rate of TB in Australian First Nations populations over this same period is consistently 5 to 6 times higher than that in the Australian-born non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations.

Risks of tuberculosis infection

Known risks that can increase the likelihood of TB infection in Australia are:

• Close contact with a person with TB
• Employment in the health or aged care sector
• Homelessness
• Smoking, alcohol and other drug use
• Mental illness
• Incarceration

Reporting cases of tuberculosis 

In Australia, TB is a nationally notifiable disease, and TB disease is monitored through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Incidences of laboratory or clinical evidence confirming a diagnosis of TB should be notified to the Victorian Department of Health on the Enhanced Surveillance Form.

Medical practitioners can discuss testing, test results and patients affected by TB with the staff of the VTP. Please contact the VTP if you need assistance in making a notification.

Treating active and latent tuberculosis

Clinical care for active TB is provided in public and private settings. Those accessing public clinics will receive TB treatment under the hospital provision of tuberculosis and leprosy services understanding. Referral should be made to the nearest tertiary hospital infectious diseases or respiratory clinic for treatment.

Latent TB can be treated in general practice and community settings. Learn more about latent TB.

The VTP team is an educational resource and available for consultation about TB and contact management.