Using the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is a whole of life, national immunisation register which records vaccines and immunisation products given to all people. This includes:
- COVID-19 vaccines
- vaccines given under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)
- vaccines administered under State or Territory funded programs
- vaccines administered from the private market
- vaccines administered outside of Australia
- immunisation products (such as nirsevimab).
In accordance with the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015, it is a mandatory requirement for immunisation providers to report the following vaccines to the AIR:
- vaccines given under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)
- COVID-19 vaccines
- influenza vaccines
- Japanese encephalitis virus vaccines (including route of administration).
From 1 March 2025, it is also a mandatory requirement to report information whether an individual was pregnant at the time of vaccine administration.
While it is not mandatory to report some vaccines to the AIR, immunisation providers are strongly recommended to report all vaccines administered to maintain a complete AIR record.
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 vaccination.
When to report
Administration of vaccines must be reported to the AIR within 24 hours, and no more than 10 working days after the vaccination.
In accordance with the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015, a recognised vaccination provider may be required to give information, or be given a formal warning, if the provider is not complying, or has not complied, with the requirement to report.
What to report
To date, elements that need to be reported to the AIR include:
- personal information: Medicare number (if applicable), name, address, contact details, Indigenous status, date of birth and gender
- vaccine information: brand name, dose number and batch number, date given, route of administration (for JEV vaccine only)
- provider information: provider number, name, and contact details.
Note that a medicare number is not required to report vaccines to the AIR.
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 clinical 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, the Services Australia will no longer accept 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 onto the AIR site and the individual’s record will be updated immediately.
For more information
See the Australian Immunisation Register or Phone 1800 653 809