Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious complication with a prothrombotic basis. Antibodies to platelet factor 4 and heparin facilitate a profound and rapid decrease the platelet count and a risk of serious thrombosis. Accurate diagnosis is essential in order to guide treatment with non‐heparin anticoagulants and to avoid potentially lethal thromboembolic complications. The Medical Journal of Australia has recently published a consensus statement, formulated by members of the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australia and New Zealand, providing an update on HIT pathogenesis and guidance on the diagnosis and management. The statement recommends the use of the 4Ts score for initial assessment (an online version of the 4TS score can be accessed here), followed by addition laboratory testing with a screening immunoassay or confirmatory functional assay if there are missing or unreliable clinical data. Heparin must be ceased in patients with suspected or confirmed HIT and initial treatment with a non‐heparin alternative instituted. Non‐heparin anticoagulants (danaparoid, argatroban, fondaparinux and bivalirudin) used to treat HIT should be given in therapeutic rather than prophylactic doses. Direct oral anticoagulants may be used in place of warfarin after patients with HIT have responded to alternative parenteral anticoagulants with platelet count recovery. The guideline can be accessed here