International · Validation
Australian healthcare identifier (IHI) validator.
Check a 16-digit Australian healthcare identifier: an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) or a provider identifier (HPI-I or HPI-O), using the rules the Australian Digital Health Agency sets for health software.
How it works: the number is 16 digits and begins 8003 6. The sixth digit says what it is: 0 for an IHI, 1 for an HPI-I, 2 for an HPI-O. Then the whole 16 digits must pass the Luhn check: double every second digit starting next to the last, subtract 9 from any result over 9, add everything, and the total must be a multiple of 10.
How an Australian healthcare identifier is checked
The Healthcare Identifiers Service gives individuals an IHI and gives providers an HPI-I (individual provider) or an HPI-O (organisation). The Australian Digital Health Agency tells health software that when one of these is typed in or read by OCR it must have all sixteen digits, be stored without spaces, pass a Luhn check and carry the correct sixth digit, and that an identifier failing those tests must not be stored or used.
| Part | Rule |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 digits, no spaces when stored (shown here in groups of four for reading) |
| First five digits | 8003 6 for every Australian healthcare identifier |
| Sixth digit | 0 is an IHI, 1 is an HPI-I, 2 is an HPI-O (so the prefixes are 800360, 800361 and 800362) |
| Check digit | Luhn over all 16 digits: double every second digit from the right (starting with the digit next to the last), subtract 9 from any result above 9, add all digits; the total must be a multiple of 10 |
The example 8003 6012 3456 7894 is constructed for this page and was not issued to anyone. Its fifteen leading digits plus a Luhn check digit of 4 give a total of 60 when every second digit from the right is doubled, so it passes. The same fifteen digits with 5 on the end would give 61 and fail.
Checks the identifier's shape, not the person or provider
Passing means the number is well formed. It does not mean the Healthcare Identifiers Service issued it, and nothing here can tell you whose it is. Whose number it is, and whether it is active, is held by the Healthcare Identifiers Service.
Sources
- Australian Digital Health Agency: Use of Healthcare Identifiers in Health Software Systems (8003 6 prefix, sixth digit)
- Australian Digital Health Agency: HI Service, IHI Lookup test cases (16 digits, Luhn)
- Australian Digital Health Agency: My Health Record CIS to NPP (sixteen digits, Luhn, sixth digit, reject on failure)
Retrieved October 2026. Agencies can change these rules; check the issuing authority if a result matters.
FAQ
How many digits is an IHI?
Sixteen. Every Australian healthcare identifier has 16 digits and starts 8003 6; an IHI starts 800360.
What is the difference between an IHI, HPI-I and HPI-O?
The sixth digit. 0 marks an Individual Healthcare Identifier for a patient, 1 marks a Healthcare Provider Identifier for an individual provider (HPI-I), and 2 marks one for an organisation (HPI-O).
How is the IHI check digit calculated?
With the Luhn algorithm over all 16 digits: double every second digit starting next to the last, subtract 9 from any result over 9, add everything and check that the total is a multiple of 10.
Does a valid result mean this is someone’s real IHI?
No. It only shows the number is well formed. Whether it was issued, and to whom, is held by the Healthcare Identifiers Service.
Is the identifier I type sent anywhere?
No. The check runs in your browser and nothing you type is transmitted, stored or logged.
Format and check digit only, not an HI Service lookup
This tool tests the structure and Luhn check digit of the number in your browser. It does not query the Healthcare Identifiers Service, and a passing result does not show the identifier was issued. Nothing you type is transmitted, stored or logged.