Immunoglobulin treatment 

Information provided on this page is intended to assist patients, carers and health professionals to understand how therapeutic decisions about immunoglobulin (Ig) are made and to manage Ig treatment. Some of the resources provided below were developed by NPS MedicineWise before it ceased operations in late 2022. The information remains current, and the NBA will update the resources as necessary. 

Information for patients and carers

Immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) play a vital role in the immune system. Immunoglobulins only occur naturally and cannot be made using synthetic chemicals. Ig products are made from immunoglobulins from plasma donated by healthy volunteers.

Ig products are necessary for people whose immune systems don’t make enough immunoglobulins or make ones that don’t work effectively. They are also important for the management of some autoimmune and inflammatory conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks normal cells.

In Australia, government-funded Ig products are restricted to conditions where:

  • use is supported by scientific and clinical evidence, and
  • other treatments are less effective or can’t be used.

This is because Ig products are expensive to manufacture and there is a limited supply. Careful management is needed to ensure that there is an adequate, secure and affordable supply of Ig products for Australians who need them. 

To ensure treatments go to those most likely to benefit, we manage access to Ig through a governance framework. The conditions and circumstances under which government-funded Ig products can be considered for use are set out in the Criteria for the clinical use of intravenous immunoglobulin in Australia (the Criteria). 

The following materials may help you to understand and manage your Ig treatment.

Videos

  • Video 1: About immunoglobulins 
    In this short video, Professor John Ziegler, Immunologist, introduces immunoglobulins and describes how immunoglobulin products are used for the treatment of immune-related conditions. You will learn about the conditions that immunoglobulin products can treat, how immunoglobulin products are made, their safety, and why they need to be carefully managed. Transcript can be found here.
     
  • Video 2: Immunoglobulins and me: Catherine
    In this video, Catherine, a working mother with three children, talks about her diagnosis with an immune deficiency disorder, the treatment she receives with intravenous immunoglobulin products, and how her treatment helps her live a full, productive and active life. Transcript can be found here.
     
  • Video 3: Immunoglobulins and me: Cheryl
    In this video, Cheryl talks about her diagnosis with an immune deficiency disorder after suffering infections since childhood, how she worked with her specialist to find the right treatment for her, and how she treats herself at home with immunoglobulin products. Transcript can be found here.

Support materials

  • Choosing wisely – immunoglobulin products
    This factsheet contains helpful information about Ig products and a list of five important questions to ask your doctor if you or someone you care for has been prescribed one of these products.
  • Immunoglobulin products in Australia: information about access and consent
    Ig products are a precious resource. This fact sheet outlines the careful management process required to ensure adequate and affordable supply of Ig products to Australians who need them. This fact sheet also provides helpful information on the types of consent you should provide during your treatment with Ig products.
  • Sharps disposal information sheet
    This information sheet provides direct links in each state and territory within Australia to assist you and your support network with up-to-date information about sharps disposal. This resource clarifies what a sharp is, how to safely dispose of used sharps and where across Australia this can be done. 
     
  • Frequently asked questions: subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy
    This fact sheet provides patients, carers and health professionals with summary information about accessing and administering subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy. 


Support materials for patients using subcutaneous immunoglobulin

A range of materials have been developed for healthcare providers supporting patients using subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg). They are available here.

Patient Support Organisations

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

https://www.allergy.org.au/(Opens in a new tab/window)

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) was established in 1990 as the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand. ASCIA's purpose is to advance the science and practice of allergy and clinical immunology. This is achieved by promoting the highest standard of medical practice, training, education and research, to improve the quality of life and health of people with immune system disorders. These include allergic conditions, immune deficiencies and other immune diseases. 

ASCIA has developed a range of resources for patients and carers about inborn errors of immunity (IEI), also known as primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID), a group of more than 480 potentially serious chronic medical conditions. The resources include specific information about immunoglobulins and the conditions that require this treatment.

ASCIA has also developed a range of health professional resources about IEI which are available to all at https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/immunodeficiency(Opens in a new tab/window)

Information about Ig replacement therapy (IRT) including SCIg is also available from this website. 

Australian Primary Immunodeficiency Patient Support 

https://www.auspips.org.au/index(Opens in a new tab/window)

Australian Primary Immunodeficiency Patient Support (AusPIPS) is a collective of patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) - also known as primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID), and their families. AusPIPS also has supporters who have no personal connection to IEI.

AusPIPS formed to meet a very clear need in Australia — for a patient-led organisation to be able to provide advocacy, support and education for people who have an IEI diagnosis and secondary chronic medical conditions, along with their carers. 

The AusPIPS committee is patient led, and patient focused. Their website includes resources to assist with empowering individuals to make health choices that best suit their needs. The website also provides an opportunity for people to connect with others who are in similar situations. This connection allows for sharing and support to assist with the difficulties of living with a chronic condition.

AusPIPS, in collaboration with Immne Deficiencies Foundation Australia (IDFA), Myasthenia Alliance Australia and Myeloma Australia have developed a patient-centred brochure explaining the uses of IRT and tips for new and existing patients receiving this important treatment. This brochure is available in multiple different languages including an AUSLAN video format.

Immune Deficiencies Foundation Australia 

https://www.idfa.org.au/

Immune Deficiencies Foundation Australia (IDFA) is a national not-for-profit and leading peak body offering education, advocacy and awareness for Australians living with inborn errors of immunity (IEI), also known as primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID), and secondary immunodeficiency. In conjunction with their community-focused model of care, IDFA assists in achieving improved patient outcomes and quality of life. IDFA’s vision is “A future where primary and secondary immunodeficiency are diagnosed and treated early, with affected people supported by clinicians, community and government to enable optimal quality of life”. With the support of a medical advisory panel and through national and international relationships, IDFA is a respected organisation within the medical and patient community.

Information for health professionals

It is common for patients to feel reluctant to make changes to their treatment. This conversation guide supports clinician-led discussions around changes to Ig treatment plans.

BloodSafe eLearning Australia courses for health professionals

The NBA funds BloodSafe eLearning Australia's courses on behalf of all Australian governments. BloodSafe eLearning Australia's immunoglobulin focused courses include:

  • Immunoglobulin: Essentials
  • Immunoglobulin: Governance and access
  • Immunoglobulin: Prescribing
  • Immunoglobulin: Administration
  • Immunoglobulin: Adverse events.

These courses are aimed at health professionals involved with the prescription, administration and reporting of Ig product use, including:

  • specialists who prescribe Ig
  • medical officers who are responsible for seeking authorisation for patient access to government-funded Ig
  • laboratory and pharmacy staff who store and dispense Ig products
  • nurses and midwives responsible for ordering Ig products from the laboratory or pharmacy and administering treatment to patients.

BloodSafe eLearning Australia has developed these courses in conjunction with a multidisciplinary group of expert clinicians. The courses are free and provide guidance on implementing the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Blood Management Standard(Opens in a new tab/window).

Explore BloodSafe eLearning's immunoglobulin education courses(Opens in a new tab/window).

Resources by specialty

For the following resources, please note that in certain circumstances PID can be used interchangeably with IEI.

Immunology

  • How I treat primary immunodeficiency 
    Three hypothetical scenarios in which patients present with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) highlight the complexities of treating patients with immunological conditions.

Haematology

  • How I treat acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia
    A series of hypothetical case studies developed by leading clinical experts to assist physicians and trainees gain a broader understanding of clinical diagnoses, treatments and outcomes.

Neurology

Transplant


Governance arrangements for subcutaneous immunoglobulin

You can find information about the governance arrangements in place to access SCIg under the national blood arrangements on this page

Last updated: 18 Jun 2025

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