ASCIA Action Plans and First Aid Plans for Anaphylaxis
ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis are emergency response plans for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). They are medical documents that are completed (patient details can be typed into text fields at the top) and signed by the treating doctor or nurse practitioner. To insert a digital photograph and signature, first save the plan as a PDF after typing patient details into the text fields. Alternatively, a physical photograph can be glued to the plan, with a wet or digital signature. A signature is sufficient, ASCIA Action Plans do NOT need to be stamped.
Current ASCIA Action Plans are the 2023 versions. However, prior versions (2022 and 2021) are still valid for use in 2024. Information about what has been updated in the 2023 plans is available at www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/new-2023-versions-of-ascia-action-plans-for-anaphylaxis
ASCIA Action Plans do not expire, and therefore the plan is still valid beyond the recommended review date, which is a guide for patients to see their doctor. For more information about ASCIA Action Plans go to www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/action-plans-for-allergic-reactions-faq
ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis
ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED) 2023
The general version of this plan is for people with allergies who have been prescribed either brand of adrenaline injector device. Device specific versions are available below.
These plans are not for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) due to pollen, dust mite, animals or other inhaled allergens.
ASCIA Travel Plan for people at risk of anaphylaxis
This plan is for use with the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions (GREEN) 2023
This plan is provided to people with allergies who have not been prescribed an adrenaline injector.
This plan is not for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) due to pollen, dust mite, animals or other inhaled allergens.
ASCIA Action Plan for Drug (Medication) Allergy (GREEN) 2023
This plan is provided to people with drug (medication) allergies who are not usually prescribed an adrenaline injector, because accidental exposure to drugs can mostly be avoided. They are usually recommended to wear medical identification, to avoid exposure to drugs used in medical procedures.
ASCIA Record for Drug (Medication) Allergy (GREEN) 2023
This record should be used in conjunction with the patient’s ASCIA Action Plan for Drug (Medication) Allergy.
ASCIA First Aid Plans for Anaphylaxis (ORANGE)
This plan can be used as a poster or stored with general use adrenaline injectors.
A version of this plan for use by crew on aircraft is available upon request.
For translated versions of the ASCIA First Aid for Anaphylaxis go to www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis#ta5
ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (ORANGE) 2023
The general version of this plan can be used as a poster or stored with either brand of general use adrenaline injector devices.
Device specific versions are available below.
ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis Pictorial Poster (ORANGE) 2023
The plan is best viewed when printed as an A3 poster.
Important Information:
- ASCIA Action Plans were first developed in 2003 to standardise the recognition of signs and actions for mild to moderate and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). This includes easy to follow steps for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. ASCIA Action Plans continue to be used as the standard action plans throughout Australia and New Zealand. The content is regularly reviewed by experts and updated as required. A major formatting update has been made in 2023, to improve ease of use.
- ASCIA Action Plans do not expire, but they should be reviewed and updated when patients are reassessed by their doctor or nurse practitioner, This should occur each time they obtain a new adrenaline injector prescription, which is approximately every 12 to 18 months. If the patient is a child, the photo should be updated each time, so they can be easily identified.
- ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis can be used for people with food, insect, tick and drug allergies, or any other allergy that can result in a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If a person only has a drug allergy and does not have a prescribed adrenaline injector, the ASCIA Action Plan for Drug (Medication) Allergy should be used. These plans are not for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) due to pollen, dust mite, animals or other inhaled allergens.
- Adrenaline injectors contain a single, fixed dose of adrenaline and are designed to be used by anyone (medical training is not required), or the patient themselves, if they are not too unwell or too young. It is generally recommended that people who have an adrenaline injector should also wear a medical identification/emergency response emblem, or other medical identification.
- When writing antihistamines on a child’s ASCIA Action Plan, doctors or nurse practitioners should avoid brand names, but instead write the generic name (e.g. Loratadine) and dose (or "as per package") on the plan. Some Education and Care sector regulations state that only the brand name on the plan is allowed (not generic brands). Therefore, using generic names allows flexibility if a brand is unavailable and a generic version is provided.
- ASCIA Action Plans should be used as part of a comprehensive anaphylaxis management plan that includes:
- Age appropriate education of people with allergies and their peers or colleagues.
- Training in the recognition and management of allergic reactions.
- Development of strategies to reduce the risk of accidental exposure
- An ASCIA Action Plan to be used as an emergency response plan for when exposure to allergens occurs.
- All ASCIA Action, First Aid, Management, Transfer, Travel and Treatment Plans are available free of charge on the ASCIA website as PDFs that can be completed online, downloaded and printed at https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/ascia-plans-action-and-treatment
How to Order Hard Copies of ASCIA Action Plans
Health professionals can order hard copies (in full colour) of red ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (General version - with instructions for Anapen and EpiPen), by submitting an order online using the HCP shop on the Anapen website - https://anapen.com.au/shop/. Password – arrotex. Alternatively, contact an Arrotex representative or contact Arrotex (distributor of Anapen in Australia) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 1800 761 964.
Health professionals can order hard copies (in full colour) of red ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (EpiPen version), green ASCIA Action Plans for Allergic Reactions and orange ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (EpiPen version) by emailing Viatris Customer Service (distributor of EpiPen in Australia) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 1800 274 276.
For further information about ASCIA Action Plans and other anaphylaxis resources go to www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis
For Asthma Action Plans please go to the National Asthma Council Australia website Asthma Action Plans
Content updated July 2024
Anaphylaxis resources
- ASCIA Action Plan: Anaphylaxis
- ASCIA Travel Plan: Anaphylaxis
- ASCIA Action Plans Frequently Asked Questions
- Anaphylaxis Checklist for GPs
- Anaphylaxis Checklist for Pharmacists
- ASCIA Management Summary for Allergic Conditions
- Anaphylaxis Guidelines
- Anaphylaxis Event Record
- Signs and Symptoms of Allergic Reactions
- How to position a person having anaphylaxis
- Clinical History Form - allergic reactions
- First Aid for Anaphylaxis
- First Aid for Anaphylaxis Pictorial Poster
- First Aid Other Languages
- First Aid Languages - New Zealand
- Fact Sheet for Parents Anaphylaxis - New Zealand
- ASCIA Adrenaline Device Authority Form
- ASCIA Guidelines for adrenaline injector prescription
- Adrenaline injectors||General use
- Adrenaline injectors||Storage, expiry, disposal
- Adrenaline injectors
- EpiPen® Jr Out of Stock
- How to give Epipen
- How to give Anapen
- How to give injector
- How to give Epipen||Languages New Zealand
- How to give Epipen||Other Languages
- Translations of anaphylaxis information
- How to give Emerade
