CORONAVIRUS — SERVICEWA APP
33. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer the minister to the rollout
of the ServiceWA mobile application.
(1) Am I correct
in assuming that the app will not automatically update the information of users
who have received a third booster vaccination so as to show that they are fully
vaccinated, but would require that a user goes back through a variety of steps to
reload their information from MyGov?
(2) If yes to
(1), by what date will users be required to reload their information to retain
their fully vaccinated electronic status?
(3) What
steps, if any, is the government taking to inform the public of any such
requirements, and what help is available to those who may not be particularly
computer literate to make the process as smooth and seamless as possible?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Yes. Under existing
Services Australia arrangements, a vaccination certificate can be refreshed
only at the instigation of the user. This applies to not only the ServiceWA
mobile application, but also all other applications used by other jurisdictions
for the purposes of proof of vaccination.
(2) The policy settings are
continually being renewed to consider changes at a national level.
(3) Two
significant public awareness campaigns—television, radio, digital, out
of home and social media—have been conducted to inform the public of Western
Australia on the ServiceWA app; alternative digital and non-digital options for providing proof of COVID-19 vaccinations;
and the requirements for businesses and citizens. These messages are
also reiterated in other campaigns related to COVID-19. In addition, to further
support the public, the new 1313WA telephone service was established and is
available to assist users in installing the ServiceWA app. A step-by-step
booklet has been produced and widely distributed to libraries, at train
stations, shopping centres and sporting events. The booklets are also being
provided to the Council on the Ageing, the Citizens Advice Bureau, other
culturally and linguistically diverse community representative groups, as well
as all members of Parliament. Pop-up helpdesks have been activated at shopping
centres in metropolitan and regional areas to assist people with accessing
their proof of vaccination and setup the ServiceWA app. Step-by-step videos,
including translated versions, have been published on wa.gov.au. The WA government
will continue to provide assistance and education as required throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic.