Register for Provider Digital Access (PRODA)
You must begin by registering for a PRODA account through Services Australia.. PRODA is your personal authentication “master key” for accessing digital health services - it stays the same even when moving to a new location or when providing services at multiple locations.
You can register for an individual PRODA account by using Australia’s Digital ID system or, alternatively, by verifying your identity using three Australian-approved identity documents.
Australia’s Digital ID system offers a secure way to prove your identity online before using government services, reducing the need for physical documents and passwords. To create your Digital ID, you will need to begin by downloading the MyID app on your smart device.
If you choose to not create a Digital ID, you will need to verify your identity using three Australian approved identity documents. To avoid lengthy delays or possible rejection, ensure the information presented on each of your chosen identity documents matches exactly.
To find detailed guidance on both registration methods, visit Services Australia’s How to register for an individual account webpage.
Link healthcare identifiers to PRODA
Next, you must link at least one healthcare provider identifier to your PRODA account. Identifiers are your Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) number or your Healthcare Provider Identifier-Individual (HPI-I).
This step is important. It allows Services Australia to understand your role in the healthcare system and gives you access to the right functions in HPOS (see section 2.3 for information about HPOS).
If you don’t link an identifier, you will only be able to access basic HPOS functions such as updating your contact details, managing how you receive notifications and applying for provider and prescriber numbers.
For more information on linking healthcare identifiers to PRODA visit the Services Australia Link your healthcare identifiers to HPOS webpage.
Health Professionals Online Services (HPOS)
Once you have registered for a PRODA account you will be able to access HPOS, which is the gateway for GPs and GP registrars to interact with Services Australia for administrative and clinical tasks. It also provides access to government digital health programs including:
- Medicare online claiming
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
- My Health Record
- Healthcare Identifiers
- Registration and management of personal details such as contact and banking information
- Medicare provider numbers.
Apply for a Medicare provider number and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriber number
Once you have registered with HPOS, you can then apply for a provider number and prescriber number.
Every GP and GP registrar needs a Medicare provider number to be able to send patients’ Medicare claims and refer or request Medicare services. Medicare provider numbers are location specific. If you deliver services at more than one location, you will need to apply for additional provider numbers.
A PBS prescriber number identifies you as being eligible to prescribe medications under the PBS. PBS prescriber numbers are not location specific, and, in most cases, you will only require one prescriber number.
Applications for initial provider and prescriber numbers can be completed online via HPOS in the ‘My details’ section.
For more information on applying for provider numbers, visit Services Australia’s Apply for initial provider and prescriber numbers webpage.
International medical graduates (IMGs)
If you are an IMG, you can apply for provider or prescriber numbers online through HPOS if you have Australian Government issued identity documents.
If you don’t have Australian Government issued identity documents, you can complete the Manual Identity Verification Provider Digital Access form to register a PRODA account and then set up your HPOS access.
For more information, visit Services Australia’s International medical graduate application for provider or prescriber number webpage.
Accessing the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
HPOS provides access to the AIR allowing you to:
- access and check a patient’s immunisation history
- request immunisation reports
- record and submit immunisation encounters
- check statements of payments for completed National Immunisation Program vaccine doses or catch-up doses for children under age 7
- update your contact details and contact the AIR using the secure email function.
To access the AIR from HPOS navigate to 'My Programs' and select the ‘Australian Immunisation Register’ tile.
My Health Record also provides details of all vaccinations reported to the AIR.
For more information on accessing the AIR visit Services Australia’s Access the Australian Immunisation Register webpage.
Accessing My Health Record
Most organisations providing general practice services will have clinical information systems which allow GPs and GP registrars to access the My Health Record.
Under the My Health Records Act 2012 (the My Health Records Act), healthcare provider organisations are authorised to collect, use and disclose health information in a patient’s record for the purpose of providing healthcare, subject to any access controls set by the patient.
An authorised healthcare provider can access a patient’s My Health Record before, during or post consultation for the purpose of providing healthcare to that patient, and consent is not required from the patient on each occasion.
For this access to be set up you will need to ensure your Healthcare Provider Identifier-Individual (HPI-I) is linked to your PRODA account by navigating to 'My Programs' and then 'Healthcare Identifiers’.
You will then need to provide your HPI-I to the organisation maintenance officer (OMO). This will usually be the practice manager or someone similar within the organisation. The OMO will link your HPI-I to the organisation’s Healthcare Provider Identifier-Organisation (HPI-O), allowing you to access My Health Record on the organisation’s behalf.
The Australian Digital Health Agency provides a range of eLearning tools and step-by-step guides on accessing and uploading information to My Health Record using the most common clinical information systems in general practice. To access eLearning modules, summary sheets, webinars and other education resources visit the Australian Digital Health Agency’s My Health Record webpage.
GPs and GP registrars can also access My Health Record by using the National Provider Portal (NPP) which is a secure, web-based platform that provides a read-only view of a patient’s My Health Record. The NPP can be used when the local clinical information system is not integrated with My Health Record. You can log into the NPP via the Australian Digital Health Agency’s website.
For more information on accessing My Health Record visit Services Australia’s Use the HI Service webpage.
Support
Issues with PRODA
Phone: PRODA Support 1800 700 199
Email: proda@servicesaustralia.gov.au
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
Issues with My Health Record
Phone: My Health Record Helpline 1800 723 471
Hours: 24/7
Issues with Healthcare Identifiers
Phone: HI Service Enquiry Line 1300 361 457
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
GP and GP registrars checklist
The following checklist can be used as a starting point for GPs and GP registrars to set up access to government digital health systems.
Download printable version
1. Register for Provider Digital Access (PRODA)
☐ Confirm you do not already have a PRODA account
☐ Prepare identity documents (Digital ID via the myID app or 3 approved Australian identity documents)
☐ Ensure all identity details match exactly across documents
☐ Register for an individual PRODA account via Services Australia
☐ Successfully log in to PRODA and confirm account is active
2. Link Healthcare Identifiers to PRODA
☐ Link your Ahpra registration number to PRODA
☐ Link your Healthcare Provider Identifier–Individual (HPI-I) to PRODA
☐ Confirm identifiers are successfully linked in HPOS
☐ Understand that limited HPOS functionality applies if identifiers are not linked
3. Access Health Professionals Online Services (HPOS)
☐ Log in to HPOS using your PRODA account
☐ Confirm access to HPOS dashboard where all administrative and clinical tasks can be accessed, including:
☐ Medicare online claiming
☐ Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
☐ Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
☐ Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
☐ My Health Record
☐ Healthcare Identifiers (HI) Service
☐ Medicare provider number management
☐ Personal and banking details management
4. Apply for Medicare provider number and PBS prescriber number
☐ Log in to HPOS and navigate to My details
☐ Apply for an initial Medicare provider number (if required)
☐ Apply for a PBS prescriber number (if required)
☐ Apply for additional Medicare provider numbers for each practice location (if applicable)
☐ Confirm provider number start dates. This must be done as soon as the number is received, and it is recommended to wait at least 2 business days before using the number
☐ Record provider and prescriber numbers for practice onboarding
5. Access the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
☐ Confirm AIR access via HPOS
☐ Familiarise yourself with AIR functions, including:
☐ Viewing patient immunisation histories
☐ Recording and submitting immunisation encounters
☐ Requesting immunisation reports
☐ Viewing payment summaries for completed National Immunisation Program vaccine doses or catch up doses for children under age 7
☐ Payment statements for completed National Immunisation Program doses or catch-up doses for children under age 7
☐ Updating contact details
☐ Using secure email to contact AIR
6. Access My Health Record
☐ Confirm your HPI-I is linked to your PRODA account
☐ Provide your HPI-I to the practice’s Organisation Maintenance Officer (OMO) so your identity can be linked to the organisation for access to My Health Record
☐ Confirm OMO has linked your HPI-I to the practice’s HPI-O
☐ Review the practice policies on My Health Record use and privacy
7. Final checks before commencing clinical work
☐ All HPOS access and identifiers confirmed
☐ Medicare provider number active for this practice location
☐ PBS prescriber number confirmed
☐ AIR access verified
☐ My Health Record access confirmed