Health Information Manager

A Health Information Manager is responsible for the accuracy, security, and usability of health records. This includes coding clinical data using standard classification systems, managing patient record systems, ensuring compliance with privacy legislation, and producing reports that support clinical and operational decisions. The role is not a clinical one, but it requires a solid understanding of medical terminology, diagnoses, and procedures. Health Information Managers often work closely with clinicians, IT teams, and hospital administrators to make sure data flows correctly and is fit for purpose.

A typical day could involve reviewing coded clinical records for accuracy, responding to requests for health information from clinicians or insurers, running audits on data quality, and attending meetings with department heads about reporting requirements. Some time may go toward training staff on record-keeping procedures or updating documentation to reflect changes in classification standards. In larger hospitals, the role may focus on a specific area such as cancer registry data or funding submissions. In smaller settings, one person may cover the full range of health information functions.

The standard entry pathway is a Bachelor degree in Health Information Management (JSA Occupation Profile). Several Australian universities offer this degree, and it typically covers clinical coding, health data systems, privacy law, and health service management. People changing careers from nursing, allied health, or health administration may find some of their prior learning recognised toward a qualification. You can search for accredited courses at yourcareer.gov.au or check whether any fee-free options apply to you at dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe.

The hardest part of moving into this role from another career is the technical depth required in clinical coding. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding is a specialised skill that takes time to develop, and errors carry real consequences for hospital funding and patient records. The degree pathway is not short, typically three years full-time, and the work itself can be detail-intensive and repetitive at times. People who come from clinical backgrounds may find the shift away from direct patient care an adjustment. Those coming from data or IT roles may find the medical knowledge requirements steeper than expected. The role also carries significant responsibility around privacy and data governance, which means mistakes are not easily overlooked.

In practice, roles are most commonly found in public and private hospitals, which are concentrated in capital cities and major regional centres. Smaller regional hospitals may also employ Health Information Managers, sometimes on a part-time or shared-services basis.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2242, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliancecore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Electronic Document Managementcore
• Health Record Administrationcore
• Health Terminology Literacycore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Process Improvement Identificationcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Reporting and Analyticscore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Medicare Compliance Knowledge
• Microsoft Excel Data Management
• Policy Interpretation
• Practice Management Software (e.g., Best Practice, MedicalDirector)
• Process Documentation
• Research and Analysis
• Risk Identification
• Team Collaboration
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Health Information Manager workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 10 October 2026