How to get your Australian international Covid vaccination certificate
The internationally-recognised certificate comes just weeks ahead of a restart for overseas travel.
By David Flynn, October 18 2021
Australians can now download and print out an internationally-recognised proof of vaccination against Covid-19, and add a 'digital vaccination passport' to their smartphone through apps such as the Travel Pass used by Qantas and many other airlines.
The International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates are similar to the existing vaccine certificates, but also carry a secure QR code which can be scanned by border officials.
The new Australian international Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
The QR code contains information on the type of vaccine used and the dates it was administered, and which conforms to the new global standard specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation to be used by airlines, airports and border authorities around the world.
The international certificate is now available at the Medicare website, by accessing your Medicare account through the myGov website, or directly available within the Medicare Express smartphone app.
International vaccination certificates are now available on the Medicare website (left) and smartphone app (right)
After confirming the details on the certificate are correct, you'll need to enter your passport details so that the two documents can be matched up and linked together.
The certificate is then made available as a PDF to download to your computer or smartphone.
It's also recommended that you save a copy of the PDF certificate on a cloud storage service such as Apple iCloud, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or DropBox, as an additional backup measure (which could also come in handy once you're overseas).
"If you travel overseas, and that overseas country requires proof of your vaccination status, you will have a copy of it," explains the Federal Minister for Employment, Workforce and Skills, Stuart Robert.
"You may not have to use it – there may be many countries you'll visit that have no requirement to demonstrate you've been vaccinated."
"But the last thing the government wants for Australians when they travel overseas is to be stuck overseas because they can't prove they've been vaccinated."
International flights from Sydney are set to resume from November 1 as NSW removes the need for fully-vaccinated travellers to enter mandatory quarantine, with proof of vaccination being a condition of travel on most airlines as well as to enter many countries as borders reopen.
November 1 will also see Australia's international travel ban removed, allowing citizens, permanent residents and their families to leave the country without obtaining special government approval.
Also read: How to download the Travel Pass app
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
17 Nov 2014
Total posts 101
I hope the internatioanl COVID-19 Certificates displays one's full name, because my Medicare card failed to display my full name and makes me worried that I will be denied entry in another country and prevent me to enjoy material freedom overseas and stop getting ripped off by Australians.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
It’s tied to you passport so one would assume will have the name that appears on your passport.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Just downloaded mine a few minutes ago and it is very easy. Medicare normally doesn't include middle names in their system (sometimes just middle initial), but it does link up correctly to DFAT via your passport number - you only need the passport number and expiry date. The certificate issues with full name / DOB / vaccination details, including a large QR code that authorities can scan.
For those having trouble linking Medicare to MyGov, if you have other services already linked to MyGov, that can throw it off. I already had ATO linked (which includes middle name), but Medicare was a mismatch as they don't use middle names when first linking up. If you get a linking error code (RFM-108) for Medicare, it is best to unlink all other services, then start by first linking Medicare; then add any other services which use a middle name later on. I learnt this from spending a lot of time troubleshooting with Services Aust, after they first suggested I didn't know how to spell my own name....
07 May 2020
Total posts 151
I am currently travelling around Europe and there is no internationally recognised digital vaccine certificate. If asked, which is getting rarer by the day, you only need to show a bit of paper or card, as the US travellers have. Nobody pays much attention to the details on the bit of paper. Hopefully the "show us your papers" will die a sorry death soon.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jul 2017
Total posts 10
I spent last week in Amsterdam and am now in Germany. Almost every place I went wanted to see my vaccine certificate. In my experience they did look closely to check I’d received two vaccinations. At the exhibition I was attending I saw people turned away who were not 14 days post second dose. Everywhere I went accepted my Australian Digital certificate (the original Medicare one without the QR code). However, they also wanted to see my passport to confirm that the name on the digital certificate matched something with a photo of me. In the Netherlands, locals can use an app that generates a QR code as proof of vaccination. Until Australia’s QR code works with their QR code system I think this new “International Certificate” won’t be much use so it may remain necessary to show your actual passport with the digital certificate.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 58
Got my international certificate just now. Was a bit worried as Medicare screwed up my middle names on the vaccination certificate before (the local certificate, not the international one). But this time they seem to get their act together better. All seemed to work out fine. Very happy :-).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Jun 2013
Total posts 22
Downloaded my certificate. Very easy & fast process. Whilst it came up with only my middle initial, that was easy to change to full name before proceeding. Now all I have to do is wait until our QLD Premier lets us out of the state...
01 Aug 2019
Total posts 14
strange it come up with my middle name on mine
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Dinoble you can leave the state if you can find a flight that will take you. Coming back is the tricky bit.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Dec 2011
Total posts 10
Tried to download. filled in all the relevant data on MyGov then went to View Certificate (PDF).... nothing.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Taxman you do it through the Medicare app.
01 Aug 2019
Total posts 14
just downloaded the travel pass and where it says health and vaccination certificate noticed Australia is not on it as yet
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
05 Nov 2014
Total posts 65
I’m actually going to get revaccinated on my next US trip for two reasons. Firstly, proof of US vaccination gets you out of quarantine after domestic flights into Hawaii, and out of pre-departure Covid tests. Secondly, you can get 2 Moderna doses at Walgreens three weeks apart, which is superior protection to what I got here in Australia. International vaccination certificates will get you into the USA, but in the Non-Trump states they won’t get you into a concert or a stadium or even some shops and restaurants.
22 Sep 2020
Total posts 13
I've tried on both mygov & medicare app, and get the same error: You've entered the document number in an incorrect format. Make sure the document number you provided is correct and try again.
I've checked and rechecked my details, and they are all being entered correctly. I'm overseas and can't call their number 1800 653 809
22 Sep 2020
Total posts 13
I have tried on both MyGov & Medicare App, and get the same error: You've entered the document number in an incorrect format. Make sure the document number you provided is correct and try again.
And being overseas I am not able to call their 1800 number
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
18 Apr 2018
Total posts 3
Try again, mine worked this morning! Maybe the system was overwhelmed yesterday.
B A
01 May 2014
Total posts 1
Try Skype it’s free calling 1800
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
18 Apr 2018
Total posts 3
@mshah
I’m getting the same error message. Have been on hold for most of the afternoon.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
Android Device>medicare app>services>Proof of vaccinations>International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate>Request a certificate - then 'follow your nose' (so to speak).
Quite easy really, says he who can't work the FB App properly.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Oct 2018
Total posts 1
Down loaded the digital certificate yesterday with no issue at all.
Also downloaded the IATA Travel Pass app.
Unfortunately they accept just about every other countries certificate (inc NZ) but not Australia as yet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2018
Total posts 26
Just linked my recent second AZ vax to my passport and had to complete my middle name to ensure it worked. My Canadian partner who has been sheltering here since 2019 is registered with an IHI number on the Medicare system should also be able to link her Canadian Passport via the same system when the second dose appears.
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