Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010

The Secretary may, by writing, make, for publication on the internet under section 31AD, one or more data standards about each of the following matters:

the format and description of health information or other clinical data;

the storage and disclosure of health information or other clinical data;

the interoperability of clinical or health information management systems;

health or clinical terminology;

the implementation of data standards;

any other matter prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

The Secretary must comply with any determination in force under section 31AE when making a data standard (including a data standard varying or revoking a data standard), including complying with any related requirements specified in such a determination about:

approval; or

consultation; or

the formation of committees, advisory panels and consultative groups.

The determination could, for example, require a proposed data standard to be approved by a specified person or body before it is made.

Without limiting subsection (2) of this section, the Secretary must make, under subsection (1), a data standard about a particular matter mentioned in subsection (1) if a determination in force under section 31AE so requires.

Before the Secretary makes a data standard under subsection (1), the Secretary must consult the Health Chief Executives Forum.

Subsection (4) does not limit the Minister’s power to determine additional requirements about consultation under section 31AE.

A data standard made under subsection (1) of this section is not a legislative instrument.