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How to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations in Australia
With parts of the country reopening and international travel restrictions set to ease, showing proof of vaccination is mandatory at some venues. Here's how to get your digital certificate and what to do if you're heading overseas.
Published 20 October 2021 8:20am
Updated 26 March 2022 1:57pm
By Emma Brancatisano
Source: SBS News
As parts of Australia begin to reopen following COVID-19 lockdowns, some residents are now required to show proof of vaccination upon entering venues.
Plus, with the federal government announcing international travel restrictions will start to ease from November, some countries will also require proof of vaccination from those entering.
Proof of vaccination can take the form of either a COVID-19 digital certificate or an immunisation history statement.
How can I find my COVID-19 digital certificate?
After you have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, you can access your COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
To access your certificate online, create or sign in to your myGov account, and link to your Medicare online account. Select the "Proof of COVID-19 vaccination" link, then "View history" and your name to view your certificate.
If you are using the Express Plus Medicare smartphone app, you can also access your certificate there, but myGov and Medicare online accounts are still required.
It can take up to 10 days for your vaccination to be uploaded to the AIR.
A digital certificate can then be added to a smartphone wallet to be shown as proof of vaccination.
How can I share my digital certificate with my check-in app?
For those in New South Wales and Victoria, digital certificates can also be added to the latest version of the Service NSW and Service Victoria smartphone apps.
- New South Wales
In New South Wales, fully vaccinated residents can now , meaning they can show staff their proof of vaccination at the same time as checking in to a venue.
Once your vaccination appears in your Express Plus Medicare app, select the option to "share with check in app", choose "Service NSW" and follow the prompts. This step can also be done online.
Then, log into the Service NSW app on your device and follow the prompts to add your digital certificate to your profile. You may need to select "show more" to prove you have a valid certificate when you check in to a venue.
- Victoria
This process can also be followed for residents in Victoria, who can select "Service Victoria" and follow similar prompts.
Currently, only one digital certificate can be linked to each Service Victoria app. If you're using an iPhone or Apple device, you can use either the Safari or Chrome browsers. If you're using an Android device, you'll need to use Chrome.
How can I get proof of vaccination without a smartphone?
If you're not using a smartphone, you can follow the same steps through using your Medicare online account.
Alternatively, you can print out your immunisation history statement or your digital certificate.
Or, you can call the AIR on 1800 653 809 and ask for a copy to be posted to you. This can take up to 14 days.
How can I get proof of vaccination without Medicare?
If you're not eligible for Medicare, you can still access and share a COVID-19 digital certificate. To do this, you'll need an (IHI) number, which you can apply for through .
From there, you can follow the same prompts to view your certificate and share it with Service NSW or Service Victoria.
What about when I travel overseas?
The certificate will be available to Australian passport holders and Australian visa holders who have their COVID-19 vaccinations recorded on the AIR, and will enable them to depart the country and travel internationally.
Applicants can get the free international certificate by using their Medicare account through , or the Medicare Express app.
You can download it digitally or in printed form, and it is compatible with COVID-19 travel apps such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass.
The federal government has said the international proof will work in up to 145 countries but not all countries require arrivals to prove their vaccination status. Those looking to travel overseas are advised to check the current advice for their destination country on the government's .
How do I find information in languages other than English?
- With AAP. Interactive by Ken Macleod, artwork by Jono Delbridge.
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