Explanatory Memorandum
(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Health and Minister for Sport, the Hon Greg Hunt MP)Schedule 1 - Australian Immunisation Register amendments
This schedule contains amendments to the AIR Act.
Item 1 Paragraph 9(b)
This item amends paragraph 9(b) of the AIR Act to omit "about each of those vaccinations" and substitute "provided by a recognised vaccination provider about each relevant vaccination". This subtle amendment will make it explicit that only recognised vaccination providers are able to provide vaccination information to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), and not members of the public / parents. Prior to the expansion of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) on 1 January 2016 to become the AIR, the ACIR only accepted immunisation records from recognised vaccination providers and this was clearly articulated within the governing legislation at that time (Health Insurance Act 1973). The AIR Act does not currently explicitly provide that only recognised vaccination providers can provide vaccination information to the AIR. This amendment does not change the requirement for who is able to provide information to the AIR, however it removes the ambiguity in the legislation in relation to this requirement.
Item 2 and Item 3 Paragraph 9(c) and Subparagraph 9(d)(iii)
The amendments to paragraph 9(c) and subparagraph 9(d)(iii) of the AIR Act made by these items will enable paediatricians, , public health physicians, infectious diseases physicians and clinical immunologists to have their assessments of medical exemptions to immunisation recognised by the AIR, in addition to general practitioners.
Paediatricians, , public health physicians, infectious diseases physicians and clinical immunologists whom are recognised through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians would be able to certify and report to the AIR that an individual has a medical exemption to immunisation.
Item 4 Application provisions
This item provides that the amendments made by items 1, 2 and 3 apply in relation to vaccinations and/or assessments conducted on or after the commencement of those items, which is the day after Royal Assent.