There are many different places that you will go where you will need to manage your allergy. We have information on allergy management in:
If you are going to a new place and have questions about how to manage your allergy, or would like specific information, you can call the National Allergy Helpline and speak to an allergy educator or contact us online.
There may be extra information and support for different communities to help manage allergies. This may include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- People with disabilities
- People in regional, rural and remote areas
- Multicultural communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
As well as your doctor, nurse or nurse practitioner, you may be able to talk about your allergies with:
- Staff at your local Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS)
- An Aboriginal health worker.
You can take a family member or a support person, such as an Aboriginal health worker, to your medical appointments.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website has information on some allergic conditions. Use the ‘search’ function to find information on the allergic condition you are interested in.
People with disabilities
Accessing allergy services is much like accessing other health services.
If you are accessing an allergy service, you or someone supporting you may wish to:
- Contact the clinic, consulting rooms or pathology lab before you attend the appointment and ask about accessibility.
- Ask for your care to be provided in a way that meets your specific needs. You or your carer may need to make it clear on how you need your care to be provided.
- Take a family member or a support person when you go to your appointments.
The Disability Gateway is a government website to help people with disability, families and carers find the information, services and support they need in Australia. Disability Gateway has information for each state on healthcare services.
People in regional, rural and remote areas
Depending on where you live, you may have to travel to see a specialist or another health professional with experience in managing allergies.
- Some specialists have clinics in regional areas. Ask your GP if there is an allergy specialist who visits your local area. You could also use the ASCIA ‘Locate a specialist’ page.
- You may be able to get some help with travel costs through a Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS). More information can be found here.
- Telehealth are appointments with your healthcare team through a telephone or video link. This can reduce the amount of time and money you need to spend on travelling for appointments. It also means less days off work and/or school. You may still have to travel for testing and some treatments.
Multicultural communities
Using an interpreter for healthcare appointments
Using an interpreter can be helpful if you do not speak English well or don’t feel confident that you will understand the information in English.
Some hospital clinics or health services use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provided by the Australian Government. If an organisation is registered with the TIS, they will cover the cost of the call. TIS National has access to interpreters across Australia who speak more than 160 different languages and dialects. People who work as interpreters are trained and must have approved qualifications. For more information, visit TIS National.
Some hospital clinics or health services may have their own interpreting services. Ask your doctor or clinic staff if they can arrange an interpreter when you book your appointment. This is usually free of charge.
Some health services have policies that interpreters have to be used and do not let family or friends act as interpreters. This is because interpreters have special training to talk about medical conditions.
Using translated information
Translated resources can be found on the following websites:
- ASCIA – Information for managing anaphylaxis – Action plans and information sheets
- Nip Allergies in the Bub – Infant feeding and preventing allergies – videos and information sheets
- Nip Allergies in the Bub – Eczema – videos and information sheets
- Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia – resources for eating out and travelling – chef cards and phrases
Some health services and health organisations may have their own translated resources that they can give you.
Understanding allergy care
Learn about allergy care, seeing an allergy specialist, the Australian health system, treatment options and more.
Developed as part of the Shared Care for Allergy Project, in collaboration with the National Allergy Council through funding from the Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care.
