COVID-19

Important Notice: If you have any questions regarding the mandatory annual COVID-19 vaccination requirements, please contact your school directly for further information.

What is it?

An infectious disease with respiratory symptoms

What do I need?

It varies on your schools' requirements

How long will it take?

Up to three weeks to get an appointment

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The virus spreads through close contact with an infectious person, contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes of an infectious individual, and contact with infected objects or surfaces.

Requirements

Students are expected to follow the COVID-19 vaccination requirements outlined in their placement provider’s health services policies. Your school will confirm if the COVID-19 vaccination is required for your placement.

A list of approved COVID-19 vaccinations can be found in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

If you have any questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination requirements, please contact your school directly for further information.

Evidence

Only the following official Australian Government documents can be accepted:

More details

  • International students and other visa holders who are not eligible for Medicare are required to apply for an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) in order to have COVID-19 vaccination at some vaccination hubs. The IHI will enable your COVID-19 vaccination and all future vaccinations in Australia to be accurately recorded. It will also give you access to an Immunisation History Statement, which can be used as evidence of your vaccinations.

    Students who are not eligible for Medicare will not be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine without an IHI at some vaccination hubs. We recommend starting this process as soon as possible to minimise any delays.

    You can apply for an IHI online through your myGov account or using a form. More information is available on the Australian Government website.

  • If you had your COVID-19 vaccination done overseas, your records will be accepted if:

    AND

    • Your vaccine doses were uploaded to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) so you can provide acceptable evidence (as above).

    Instructions on how to register your overseas vaccination with the AIR are available here. If you're currently offshore, you will need to wait until you are in Australia to complete this process.

    If you had a COVID-19 vaccine that is not currently recognised in Australia, we recommend seeking advice from your GP on either:

    • Getting vaccinated again with a approved vaccine if appropriate; or
    • Getting a medical exemption if more doses are not recommended at this point in time.

  • All COVID-19 medical exemptions must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Please seek advice from your doctor, who can assist with updating your immunisation record if you're eligible for a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. There is only one form of evidence acceptable in this case:

    • A copy of your Immunisation History Statement, COVID-19 Digital Certificate or other official documentation from Medicare showing a recorded exemption to COVID-19 vaccination.

Ready to submit your documents? Go to Sonia.

Still have questions? Contact the MDHS Student Hub.

Further information