Australians fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now use a digital certificate as proof of vaccination.
The certificate is automatically generated and available on the Express Plus Medicare app.
But it's unclear if it can be used as a "vaccine passport" out of coronavirus restrictions.
What is a digital vaccine certificate?
For those who have had both doses of an approved vaccine – currently Pfizer or AstraZeneca – the COVID-19 digital certificate will be automatically generated and available through their Medicare account.
The proof of vaccination can be accessed and downloaded on a smartphone app or found online.
Minister for Government Services Linda Reynolds said the record made it easy for people to show their coronavirus vaccination status "anytime, anywhere".
"We're also giving people control over the level of vaccination history they share, as the certificate only shows your COVID-19 vaccination status," Ms Reynolds said.
The certificate features the person's name, date of birth and the dates of their vaccination injections. The validity of the certificate is protected with a holographic coat of arms watermark and unique document number.
How do I get the vaccination certificate?
The COVID-19 digital certificate is automatically generated after the second dose of an approved vaccine.
Hank Jongen, Services Australia general manager, told ABC Radio Melbourne the best way to access the digital certificate is through the Express Plus Medicare smartphone app.
"Link Medicare to your MyGov account. Once you've done that, download the app because that means the evidence is there in the palm of your hand," he said.
The certificate can also be found online by logging into Medicare via MyGov, and going to "immunisation history".
Mr Jongen confirmed Medicare accounts must be linked to MyGov before the vaccine certificate can be accessed.
For those unable to find the certificate online or via the app, an immunisation history statement can be requested from your vaccine provider or the Australian Immunisation Register.
The certificate will still be available for those who have opted out of My Health Record, as the Australian Immunisation Register is a separate database.
When will I get the certificate?
Your vaccine provider must report your jab to the Australian Immunisation Register before it will appear on your certificate.
Vaccine providers have 10 business days to make a report but Mr Jongen said in many cases that was happening much more quickly.
"We're encouraging vaccine providers to update within 24 hours," he said.
"In my case, it took one hour for the first shot to appear on my record."
What could it be used for?
At the moment the proof-of-vaccination certificate is just that – evidence of your vaccination status.
But there is speculation it may be used as a vaccine passport – a ticket to travel or access venues or services under pandemic restrictions.
Mr Jongen said while he was unsure exactly how the certificate might be used, it was being released now in preparation for what may come.
PM interested in 'vaccine passports'
Last month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he believed "Australians would support" a system that allowed an alternative to restricted travel from COVID hotspots.
If Australia did adopt a vaccine passport program it would not be a first. China, Israel and the EU have established similar schemes.
Maria O'Sullivan, deputy director of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University, said a temporary vaccine passport program could be worth it if it kept the economy open.
"I think Victorians in particular would have an appetite for it, having been through lockdown," Dr O'Sullivan said.
But she has concerns that young people, rural residents and other groups at the end of the vaccine delivery queue may be left behind.
"It's a social equity issue," she said.
"There are different issues with domestic travel compared with international travel, and business is different again."
Dr O'Sullivan said any vaccine passport program would have to be "carefully implemented" to avoid discrimination concerns.
