Notifiable disease reporting

Under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011, medical practitioners and diagnostic laboratories are required to notify SA Health of cases suspected of having or diagnosed with specified infections or diseases.

Exceptions apply to chlamydia, COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which medical practitioners are not required to notify unless specific conditions apply (see How to notify). 

Notification is always required if a notifiable infection or disease has caused or contributed to the death of a person – even if the condition has already been notified.

These infections or diseases are commonly referred to as 'notifiable conditions’.

In addition, registered nurses, midwives and pharmacists who are authorised to vaccinate independently as per the Vaccine Administration Code, are required to notify notifiable adverse events following immunisation.

The conditions which are notifiable are specified in the South Australian Public Health (Notifiable and Controlled Notifiable Conditions) Regulations 2012 under the Act (see SA Legislation website).

Please note that conditions listed below with a telephone number require urgent notification by phoning the Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) 24 hours, 7 days a week on 1300 232 272.

All infections should be notified within three days of suspecting or confirming a diagnosis.

How to notify

COVID-19, seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

  • Medical practitioners are required to notify ONLY where (a) they suspect a person has died from the condition or (b) they have conducted a point of care test that has returned a positive result which is not also reported by a pathology service. If one or both of these scenarios apply, notify online or download and fax the purple notification form to (08) 7425 6696.

Chlamydia

  • Medical practitioners are required to routinely notify ONLY where a person is aged 16 years or younger. Additionally, medical practitioners are required to notify where (a) they suspect a person has died from the condition or (b) they have conducted a point of care test that has returned a positive result which is not also reported by a pathology service. If any of these scenarios apply, download and fax the orange notification form to (08) 7425 6696.

Chancroid & Donovanosis

Gonorrhoea

Hepatitis B

  • Download and fax the green notification form to (08) 7425 6696.
  • Notify by phone on 1300 232 272 if the infection was likely acquired in the past 2 years or if public health advice is required.

Hepatitis C

  • Download and fax the blue notification form to (08) 7425 6696.
  • Notify by phone on 1300 232 272 if the infection was likely acquired in the past 2 years or if public health advice is required.

HIV

Syphilis

Tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections

All other notifiable conditions

Notifiable adverse events following immunisation

The following conditions are notifiable in South Australia

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

Y

Further information contact the Communicable Disease Control Branch

Phone: 1300 232 272
Fax: (08) 7425 6696
Post: CDCB Reply Paid 6, GPO Box 6 Rundle Mall, South Australia 5000
Email: HealthCommunicableDiseases@sa.gov.au