CourseFinder logo – Australia’s leading course comparison site

How to Become a Health Information Manager: Australian Careers in Health Administration

2 Courses

On this page

What is a Health Information Manager?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Health Information Manager?

A Health Information Manager plans, develops and manages health data systems in Australian healthcare settings. They ensure patient data is collected, stored and sent in line with legal and ethical rules.

Health Information Managers design medical record forms and oversee central records systems. They work with clinical staff, IT teams and admin to keep data accurate and secure. Their role spans hospitals, government agencies and private health services.

Key duties include managing digital health records, auditing data quality and training staff. They also make policies for how health data is handled at their workplace. Meeting Privacy Act rules is a core part of the role.

Demand for skilled Health Information Managers is growing as more health data is used. The role offers strong career prospects in a field where accurate data directly affects patient care.

Icon

Career snapshots For Health Information Managers

Health Information Management is one of Australia’s stable and growing healthcare careers. Around 2,000 people work in this field nationally (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2021 Census). The workforce is 80% female, with a median age of 44. Most roles are full-time: 71% of Health Information Managers work full-time, at 41 hours a week.

Main employers include public and private hospitals, state and territory health departments and professional services firms. Salaries range from around $70,000 to $130,000. The average is about $104,000 a year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Demand is rated very strong and is set to keep growing as digital health expands (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025).

What will I do?

Health Information Managers run the data and records systems that keep health services working. Their tasks cover everything from designing forms to leading quality projects. They serve as the link between clinical teams, IT and admin.

  • Designs and revises medical record forms to meet current legal and clinical standards
  • Manages central records systems and ensures data accuracy and security
  • Implements and maintains electronic health record (EHR) systems
  • Ensures compliance with the Privacy Act and health information regulations
  • Conducts audits of health records and information systems
  • Trains clinical and administrative staff on data management practices
  • Analyses health data for quality improvement and reporting
  • Develops policies for collecting, storing and sharing health information
  • Manages requests for patient information release in line with privacy law
  • Works with IT teams to implement new health technology solutions

What skills do I need?

Health Information Managers need a mix of technical and people skills. On the technical side, they must know health data systems, medical coding and digital health records (EHR). Data analysis skills are needed for improving healthcare quality and reporting.

Strong communication and leadership matter just as much. Health Information Managers work with doctors, nurses, IT teams and senior leaders. They explain complex data clearly and lead policy changes across their service. A focus on ongoing learning keeps them ahead in a fast-changing field.

Skills/attributes

  • Health information systems management
  • Medical coding (ICD-10-AM)
  • Electronic health records (EHR) administration
  • Data analysis and reporting
  • Compliance with the Privacy Act and health regulations
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisational and project management skills
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Leadership and team management
  • Policy development and implementation
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Knowledge of clinical workflows and healthcare settings
  • Adaptability to new health technologies
  • Stakeholder engagement across clinical and non-clinical teams
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development

CourseFinder makes every effort to ensure the information we provide is correct at the time of publication. We welcome your input to help keep our career profiles as accurate and up to date as possible. All queries and feedback will be taken into consideration as we conduct periodic reviews of our content. Add your voice to the conversation!

Related Careers

About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.