What occupational respiratory diseases are
Occupational respiratory diseases are work-related conditions which affect the airways, lungs and blood vessels.
Physicians can only report diagnoses of respiratory diseases that are caused or exacerbated by a patient’s occupation.
Diseases included in the registry
There is a difference between prescribed and non-prescribed occupational respiratory diseases.
Prescribed occupational respiratory diseases
Prescribed occupational respiratory diseases are mandatory to report to the registry from 22 May 2024.
Prescribed occupational respiratory diseases vary depending on where the patient is diagnosed.
For all states and territories except Queensland, silicosis is the only prescribed occupational respiratory disease.
The following physicians in Queensland must report additional diagnoses of prescribed occupational respiratory diseases:
- occupational and environmental medicine physicians
- respiratory and sleep medicine physicians.
If Queensland physicians notify to the National Registry, they will not need to also notify to the Queensland Register.
Queensland
In Queensland, prescribed occupational respiratory diseases are diagnoses of:
- cancer (for example, mesothelioma)
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- pneumoconiosis, including:
- asbestosis
- coal workers’ pneumoconiosis
- mixed-dust pneumoconiosis
- silicosis.
Learn more about Queensland prescribed occupational respiratory diseases.
New South Wales
Physicians in New South Wales are no longer required to notify silicosis to NSW Health, effective from 3 September 2024.
Physicians in New South Wales must continue to notify silicosis to the National Registry.
Non-prescribed occupational respiratory diseases
Non-prescribed occupational respiratory diseases are not mandatory to report to the registry. Physicians can choose to report non-prescribed occupational respiratory diseases to the National Registry, with patient consent.
For more information about when and how to get patient consent, see the patient privacy notice and consent forms.