Using the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is a whole of life, national immunisation register which records vaccines given to all people in Australia. This includes:
- COVID-19 vaccines
- vaccines given under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)
- privately given vaccines, such as for seasonal influenza or travel*
From 1 July 2021, it is a mandatory requirement for recognised vaccine providers to report the following vaccines:
- vaccines given under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), including the school immunisation program
- COVID-19 vaccines given on or after 20 February 2021
- influenza vaccines given on or after 1 March 2021
*it is not mandatory to report travel vaccines to AIR (it is optional)
For information about mandatory reporting obligations, health professionals can contact the AIR by emailing Immunisation.Registers@health.gov.au
Why is reporting to AIR important
Reporting these vaccinations to the AIR means the register contains a complete and reliable dataset. This allows monitoring immunisation coverage and can help health authorities manage outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.
Keeping the AIR up to date also means that individuals have a complete record of their vaccinations (through their immunisation history statement) and can manage their health more effectively.
The AIR can also be used to:
- check which vaccines individuals have had and when they are overdue
- avoid unnecessary re-vaccinations
- provide proof of vaccination for employment purposes and/or for entry to childcare and school
- report immunisation medical exemptions online – eligible vaccination providers only
- get proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Which vaccines need to be reported
National Immunisation Program
Immunisation Schedule Queensland
When to report
Administration of vaccines must be reported within 24 hours, and no more than 10 working days after the vaccination.
For COVID-19 vaccines, real-time or end of day reporting is appropriate, or as determined by practice procedures.
What to report
To date, elements that need to be reported to the AIR include:
- personal information: Medicare number (if applicable), name, contact details, date of birth and gender
- vaccine information: brand name, dose number and batch number, date given, for COVID19 vaccines - vial serial number (if known). It is now mandatory to record a batch number when reporting COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations to the AIR. Astra Zeneca and Pfizer vaccines have a lot number instead of a batch number. Enter the lot number when there is no batch number
- provider information: provider number, name, and contact details.
How to report
For detailed information about how to report vaccinations to the AIR, visit Services Australia and see How to record an encounter
If your existing software is unable to record vaccinations, the AIR secure site can be used. The AIR secure site can record new patients including those without a Medicare number. Visit Services Australia to view the Australian Immunisation Register education module.
Submitting forms to the AIR
From January 2022, services will no longer be able to mail or fax forms to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Completed forms can be submitted using a Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account which allows access to the form upload function in Health Professional Online Services (HPOS). Immunisation encounters, medical exemptions and immunisations given by another provider, including those performed overseas, can all be recorded directly on to the AIR site and the individual’s record will be updated immediately.
For more information
See the Australian Immunisation Register or Ph 1800 654 809
