Lismore will be one of four cities in regional NSW to display their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate on the newly updated Service NSW app in a trial that gets underway today.

Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga are the other participating cities in the NSW Government pilot.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the regional pilot would focus on staff and visitors at a number of clubs and aged-care facilities, as well as selected taxi companies. 

“Up to 500 customers, to be selected by the businesses involved, will participate in the pilot across Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Lismore,” Mr Toole said.

“Customers will have the convenience of checking in to a venue and showing proof of vaccination status on the one app. This is NSW leading the way with a pilot in the regions and helping to make life easier for our communities in the roadmap out of COVID.” 

Lismore Taxis is one of the local businesses involved in the week long trial.

Chariman Justin Stevenson told the Lismore App some of their drivers will be trialling the new check-in system. "This is nothing to do with our passengers, this is for some of our drivers only," Mr Stevenson said.

"Whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated anyone can both book a ride but if you want a fully vaccinated driver then you have the option to book one."

Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said while it was currently possible to display your vaccination certificate, given there were over 6 million people using the ServiceNSW app this was a smart extra service for the citizens of NSW. 

 “There are already three ways to download your vaccination passport so this is about making life easier for the people and business of NSW as we safely open back up,” Mr Dominello said.

“In a week of being granted access to the Australian Immunisation Register information we have already begun successfully testing internally ahead of this regional pilot but we also need to ensure we have the right checks and balances in place.”

The ServiceNSW app will include a number of security measures to help compliance officers and businesses with checking and validating a customer’s vaccination status, including a NSW Waratah logo hologram and rotating QR codes, similar to the Digital Driver Licence.

“Integrating the vaccine certificate onto the ServiceNSW app will be optional,” Mr Dominello said.

“Customers can also use the Express Plus Medicare app, the digital wallet on their phone or a paper certificate from Services Australia to prove their vaccination status.

“I would like to thank the Federal Government, in particular Minister Stuart Robert, for his support and collaboration in making this happen.

“Integrating the vaccine certificate also helps future proof our State’s digital infrastructure in the event that proof of vaccination is ever required again.”

To integrate a COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate with the ServiceNSW app, customers will need to have a Federal MyGov account with Medicare linked and the Express Plus Medicare app. Customers without a smartphone should contact Services Australia for a non-digital option.

For more information, please visit nsw.gov.au