How does this affect you?

I'm a healthcare consumer

In the future, when you visit a doctor or go to a hospital or clinic for treatment, the healthcare provider can obtain your IHI from the Healthcare Identifier Service (HI Service) via phone or an online service. The IHI will then be added to your healthcare records kept by your healthcare provider along with your name and other identifying information.

Consumer Brochure

From July 2012, all Australians can choose to register for a personally controlled electronic health record. Imagine having access to your personal health information whenever you need it. Imagine all your healthcare providers having, with your permission, appropriate access to your health information when and where they require it, to assist you in your healthcare.

I'm a healthcare professional

Many healthcare providers will only start using healthcare identifiers when their software can interface with the Healthcare Identifiers (HI) Service. A range of healthcare providers, including those in primary care and allied health, may be issued with an HPI-I. To be eligible for an HPI-I, a healthcare provider must provide a "health service" as defined in the Healthcare Identifier Act 2010

There are two classes of individual healthcare providers who will be eligible to be issued with an HPI-I:

  • healthcare providers registered under state, territory or a national law; or
  • healthcare providers who are members of a professional association that meets certain criteria.