What it does
The Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 (the Act) establishes and maintains a comprehensive electronic database known as the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) under s 8(1). The register is not a legislative instrument (s 8(3)) and may be maintained in separate parts with distinct names, for example the Australian School Vaccination Register for school-based programs (note to s 8(2)).
Section 9 exhaustively lists the categories of information the AIR may contain. These include relevant identifying information for individuals who have or could have a relevant vaccination (s 9(a)), detailed vaccination event data provided by recognised vaccination providers (s 9(b)), and records of medical assessments by specified specialists (general practitioners, paediatricians, public health physicians, infectious diseases physicians or clinical immunologists) that an individual either possesses natural immunity or has a medical contraindication (s 9(c)-(d)). "Relevant vaccination" is defined in s 4 as a vaccination administered in Australia or, if administered overseas, where details are furnished to a recognised vaccination provider. "Relevant identifying information" is a broad category encompassing name, contact details, date of birth, gender, Indigenous status, Medicare number, healthcare identifier, details of legal personal representatives, and any further classes prescribed by the rules (s 4).
The purposes of the AIR are exhaustively enumerated in s 10(1). They range from the mechanical (creating an electronic database, s 10(1)(a)), through public health functions (collecting and publishing vaccination coverage statistics (s 10(1)(b)), monitoring effectiveness of vaccines and programs (s 10(1)(d)), identifying geographic areas at risk in outbreaks (s 10(1)(e))), to individual-facing services (advising when doses are due (s 10(1)(h)), certifying completed courses (s 10(1)(i)), and providing information on new vaccination developments (s 10(1)(j))). The purposes also expressly include determining eligibility for family assistance (s 10(1)(g)), making payments relating to vaccinations (s 10(1)(k)), and conducting research (s 10(1)(l)). Anything incidental to these purposes is also covered (s 10(1)(m)). Special rules apply where an individual cannot manage their own health affairs: their legal personal representative may check status or receive advice or certificates (s 10(2)).