Changes to Australian Immunisation Register Rule 2015 (AIR Rule)

From 1 March 2024, it will be mandatory for all vaccination providers to report to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR):

  • the route of administration for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccines; and

  • information about the vaccine type for all vaccines prescribed by the AIR Rule (COVID-19, Influenza, National Immunisation Program (NIP) and JEV vaccines). 

Under the ‘vaccine type’ field, vaccination providers can choose from one of the following options:

NOTE:  Where an individual is pregnant, providers should report the ‘Antenatal’ option in the first instance, regardless of whether the vaccine is funded privately or under a Commonwealth/state program.  

Under the ‘route of administration’ field, vaccination providers can choose from one of the following options:

Reporting timely, high quality and accurate vaccination information ensures that the AIR contains a complete and reliable dataset to enable the monitoring of immunisation coverage and administration. It also ensures that:

  • individuals have a complete record of their vaccinations that can be provided as evidence for education, employment, and/or travel purposes.

  • families’ eligibility to receive family assistance payments (for example, Family Tax Benefit Part A and Child Care Subsidy) or early childhood services are not impacted.

As eligibility for these payments is linked to a child’s vaccination status, it is imperative that vaccination providers continue to report vaccination information to the AIR in a timely manner.  

Next steps for vaccination providers:

  • The quickest and easiest ways to report vaccination information to the AIR is through clinical software or the AIR site in HPOS. Vaccination providers should use the latest version of their clinical software (where the new fields are available to report).

  • Vaccination providers can still report vaccinations to the AIR where clinical software is not updated with these fields but will be required to record the new fields through the AIR site using the ‘update encounter’ function, as soon as practical.

  • Alternatively, vaccination providers can report vaccinations to the AIR directly, using the AIR site.

For further information on reporting information to the AIR, please visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/hpair

The department will continue to work with Services Australia to provide education and support to vaccination providers to ensure reporting obligations are met. 

Margot Schoonmaker