Information updates

ASCIA Dietary Guides for food allergy are now available in html (webpage format) as well as pdf. This means that each Guide can be translated using ReadSpeaker, which was not possible when they were only available as pdf documents.  ReadSpeaker also enables text to speech for people who are vision impaired or have limited reading ability.

Each ASCIA Dietary Guide (as listed below) has ReadSpeaker installed, which enables translations by highlighting the text, clicking on 'translate’ and selecting the language. 

All of the following webpages can be accessed at www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy/ascia-dietary-avoidance-for-food-allergy

1. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Cow's milk protein (dairy) Updated October 2022
2. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Cow's milk protein (dairy) and soy Updated October 2022
3. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Egg Updated October 2022
4. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Fish Updated October 2022
5. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Peanut Updated October 2022
6. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Sesame Updated October 2022
7. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Shellfish Updated October 2022
8. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Soy Updated October 2022
9. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Treenut Updated October 2022
10. ASCIA Dietary avoidance - Wheat Updated October 2022

ASCIA Dietary avoidance for food allergy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) should be used with the ASCIA dietary guides listed above.

In response to requests to make translated ASCIA anaphylaxis information easier to locate, the ASCIA website update in 2022 has included the addition of a new webpage www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/translations-of-anaphylaxis-information

This webpage enables quick links to translations and can be accessed from the ASCIA homepage.

Translations of ASCIA anaphylaxis information include: 

Anaphylaxis Patient Information - English 
Anaphylaxis Patient Information - Other Languages
Anaphylaxis Patient Information - Maori, Samoan, Tongan  
First Aid for Anaphylaxis - English 
First Aid for Anaphylaxis - Other Languages 
First Aid for Anaphylaxis - Maori, Samoan, Tongan 
Anaphylaxis Fact Sheet for Parents - English and Other Languages  
Anaphylaxis Fact Sheet for Parents - Maori, Samoan, Tongan 
How to give EpiPen - English and Other Languages 
How to give EpiPen - Maori, Samoan, Tongan 

Other ASCIA information for patients and carers can be translated using ReadSpeaker, by highlighting the text, clicking on 'translate’ and selecting the language.

A major update of the ASCIA website (that commenced in July 2022) has been completed in October 2022.

The update includes the following new and updated webpages, to make information easier to find, and improve the user experience:

1. ASCIA website homepage - This webpage has been streamlined to feature quick links to the most frequently requested information, including How to Locate a Specialist, ASCIA Action Plans, ASCIA e-training courses and ASCIA anaphylaxis translations.
2. Translated ASCIA anaphylaxis information - A new webpage enables quick links to translations. 
3. ASCIA information for patients and carers - Now accessible via image panels/tiles on a user-friendly webpage. 
4. ASCIA health professional resources - Now accessible via image panels/tiles on a user-friendly webpage. 
5. ASCIA immunodeficiency resources for health professionals - Reordered under new headings (PID, IRT, SCIg, HAE) to make it easier to find information.  
6. ASCIA anaphylaxis resources for health professionals - Now easier to find as the length of this webpage has been reduced.    
7. ASCIA food allergy resources for health professionals - Reordered under new headings to make it easier to find information.  
8. ASCIA allergy prevention resources for health professionals - Reordered to make it easier to find information. 

Why do we need to continue updating and improving the ASCIA website?

• The ASCIA website is a world leading source of accessible, consistent and evidence-based information about allergy and immunodeficiency.
• The ASCIA website continues to attract a large number of users, with more than 3.2 million pageviews, 2.1 million visits and 1.7 million unique visitors in the past year.
• The ASCIA website is regarded as one of the main ASCIA member services (including information for their patients and carers), and sources of continuing professional development.

It is therefore important that we keep reviewing ASCIA website resources and the way that they are accessed, to inform future updates and improvements. The ASCIA website includes information about the development and review process of ASCIA online resources and courses.

Thank you for your comments and feedback about the ASCIA website, which have resulted in many of the updates listed above. We welcome your feedback about the updated ASCIA website, either via the online feedback form or by direct email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australasia (AIFA) research grants for 2022 were announced at the  ASCIA 2022 Conference AIFA Research Symposium, which also featured presentations by 2020 AIFA grant recipients.

To read more go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/news/aifa-announces-grant-recipients-for-2022  

To donate or sponsor 2023 AIFA grants go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/donate

ASCIA's objectives include Research - to promote and fund research to improve health and quality of life of people with allergy and other immune diseases. ASCIA achieves this through AIFA, which was established by ASCIA in 2013, to fund research into allergy, immunodeficiency and other immune system disorders.

• Only ASCIA members are eligible to apply for AIFA research grants.
• A total of $629,000 in AIFA research grants have been awarded to 27 research projects since 2015.
• The 18 research projects that received AIFA grants up to 2020 have been presented at ASCIA Annual Conferences.
• 100% of donations to AIFA fund research grants, due to the support of ASCIA.
• Thank you to our generous AIFA donors, sponsors and grant selection panel.

The ASCIA Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2022 was held on Friday 2nd September, and Minutes are available here www.allergy.org.au/members/ascia-agm

We welcome A/Prof Theresa Cole as the new ASCIA President and thank Prof Michaela Lucas for her excellent leadership as the ASCIA President over the past two challenging years, from 2020 to 2022.

ASCIA Council members for 2022-2024 are listed at www.allergy.org.au/members/committees#counc

Past ASCIA Presidents are listed at www.allergy.org.au/members/ascia-past-presidents

The ASCIA 2022 Conference was a highly successful hybrid event which was held from Tuesday 30th August to Friday 2nd September, with in-person participation in Melbourne.

The conference attracted more than 600 registered delegates, with around 60 per cent of delegates attending in person, and more than 150 sponsors and exhibitors. Delegates seemed to welcome their interactions with colleagues for the first time since 2019 at an ASCIA Conference.

Congratulations and thank you to the ASCIA 2022 Chair, Dr Dean Tey and the organising committee for compiling an outstanding program which included more than 40 sessions presented over four days.

ASCIA conferences are the leading source of allergy and clinical immunology CPD for health professionals in Australia and New Zealand. To provide further CPD opportunities, registered delegates can view sessions on demand for six months after the conference.

Read the full ASCIA 2022 Conference Report at www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference

The Basten Oration presented by Dr David Hill can be viewed open access at www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration

The time for Anapen^® adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors to be held in place has now been approved for 3 seconds (reduced from 10 seconds) by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Whilst the time has reduced from 10 to 3 seconds, Anapen^® devices have not changed. This reduction is based on data that confirms efficacy and delivery of adrenaline through the 3 second time frame.

All Anapen^® devices should now be held in place for 3 seconds, regardless of the instructions on the label.  However, if they are held for 10 seconds it will not affect the way that the adrenaline works. 

Anapen^® devices with the 3 second label are expected to enter pharmacies in Australia from January 2023 onwards. In the meantime, Anapen^® devices with a 10 second label can continue to be used, and injected for 3 seconds. Anapen^® devices should not be replaced unless they have been used, are just about to expire or have expired.  

To access the updated Anapen^® versions of the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (red) and ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (orange) go to www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis 

ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses have been revised to include the updated Anapen^® version of the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and instructions. To access the courses go to www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/about-ascia-e-training 

Information is also available on the Anapen website which has been updated to include a 3-D animation https://www.anapen.com.au/explore-in-3d and the option of entering product expiry so a reminder to renew can be received. The reminder email will be sent one month prior to expiry.

The Anapen^® version of the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (red) is provided to people with allergies who have been prescribed Anapen® adrenaline autoinjectors, which have been available on the PBS in Australia since September 2021. In September 2022 the TGA has approved Anapen® to be held in place for 3 seconds (reduced from 10 seconds). 

Anapen^®  doses recommended by ASCIA:

1. Anapen^® 150 (Jr): Children 7.5-20 kg (~1-5 yr)
2. Anapen^® 300: Adults or children >20kg (>5 yr)
3. Anapen^® 500: Adults or children >50kg (>12 yr)

In a major step towards addressing Australia’s allergy epidemic, the Hon. Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, alongside allergy experts, has launched two world-first allergy organisations at a media event on Wednesday 31^st August 2022 in Melbourne, during the ASCIA 2022 Conference week.

The new National Allergy Council and National Allergy Centre of Excellence are backed by a $26.9 million Federal Government investment, and will address recommendations from the Walking the allergy tightrope report from the Parliamentary Inquiry into allergies and anaphylaxis:

• The National Allergy Council (NAC) is a natural progression of the highly valued and successful National Allergy Strategy. The NAC will continue to implement and expand the National Allergy Strategy as a partnership between the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) – the leading medical and patient support organisations for allergy in Australia.

• The Centre for Food & Allergy Research (CFAR), hosted at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, has expanded to become the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE). As Australia’s peak allergy research body, it will develop hubs for allergy research, repository and discovery, evidence and translation, and training and innovation. This will ensure Australia remains at the forefront of evidence-based management of allergic disease.

• The NAC and NACE, with support from the country’s peak allergy organisations encompassing clinicians, researchers, policy-makers, patients and carers, look forward to working together to ensure efficient translation of the latest research into practice.

These initiatives will help accelerate allergy research and clinical care, to improve the lives of five million Australians living with allergic disease and prevent anaphylaxis, including needless deaths.

Read the Media Release here