The Victorian Government has made the Services Victoria QR check in service mandatory, so what is it and how do you use it?
Services Victoria check-in service
The Service Victoria QR system is available via the Services Victoria APP. To use it you need:
- a smart phone or tablet
- access to the internet on the smart device (access to data)
Download and install the Service Victoria app below:
- App Store – https://apps.apple.com/au/app/service-victoria/id1438062029
- Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.vic.service.digitalwallet.citizen
The app will request access to:
- Location: – approximate location (network-based) – precise location (GPS and network-based)
- Camera : take pictures and videos – The app needs access to your camera as it will use the camera to record the QR Code.
- Other: – receive data from Internet
If you don’t have the app on your phone you can scan the QR code at a venue and your phone will step you through it (see part 1 of this article).
Using the Services Victoria APP.
The app is very simple — no account is needed. No need to open your camera app either, the app does it all.
When you need to check in open the Services Victoria APP:
- Tap Contact Tracing Check-in (see image below)
- the app will open a QR scanning function and activate the camera.
- position the camera so it can view the QR code in focus
- Note: Glare may make the code hard for the camera to read, if this is an issue try the code from different angles
- If the code is detected a screen will be displayed for you to enter your details. Once entered tap check-in to this location
- Note: you should be able to choose to have the phone remember the details so the phone will fill the form in for you next time.
- A check-in successful screen will be displayed. At some venues a staff member may want to see this screen before permitting entry.
What if I don’t have a smart phone?
All venues with check-in services must have an alternative (manual) system available. So approach the Service Desk or similar, and you will be able to use good old pen and paper to record your visit.
What happens to my data?
The only details you are required to provide when using the Victorian Government QR Code Service is your name and phone number. The QR Code Service will automatically record the date, time and location of your visit.
Your check-in details are only used or shared for contact tracing purposes if there is a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case at a venue you have visited.
Your personal information can only be used by health authorities to help manage an outbreak of COVID-19.
If there’s no outbreak at a venue you’ve been to, your check-in details will be deleted after 28 days. If your details have been provided to the Victorian Chief Health Officer to help manage an outbreak, they can be held for more than 28 days if that information is needed for contact tracing purposes. Your details won’t be used for marketing or any other purposes.
The above information was sources from https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checking-qr-codes
For more information of the privacy of the information see https://service.vic.gov.au/check-in-privacy
Congratulation Chris on a fantastic article on QR codes, Part 1 and Part 2.
Extremely timely with excellent descriptions for using the QR reader on both Apple and Android systems and for access to Apple App Store and Google Play Store for those that need to download a dedicated QR reader app.
I have recently purchased a new Android phone and downloaded Google Lens to ensure I had a compliant QR reader. A small icon is installed on the camera photo page, select the icon, focus and the Store QR code is instantly read.
Thank you.
Laurie Stapleton