The World Health Organization Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC) includes reference classifications, derived classifications, and related classifications. The reference classifications serve as the global standards for health data, clinical documentation and statistical aggregation. They enable capture of the following health areas: diseases, health problems, body function, body structure, activity, participation and interventions. They include:
- The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)
- The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
- The International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
The derived classifications are based on the reference classifications to accommodate information needs in specific areas of health. Related classifications cover health domains beyond mortality and morbidity, functioning and health interventions.
These products are used in different ways across different countries.
Reference classifications and their use in Australia
The reference classifications are maintained by the WHO and cover the main areas of health and the health system.
The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, 2019 Edition (ICD-10) is currently used in Australia to capture mortality statistics. The ICD-10 covers diseases, health problems, and body structures.
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a framework for the conceptualisation, classification, and measurement of health and disability at both individual and population levels. As the functioning and disability of an individual occurs in a context, ICF also includes a list of environmental factors. In Australia, ICF is used as the basis for population surveys and for measuring health and disability.
The International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) and the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) are not currently used in Australia.
More information on ICD-11 in Australia.
Derived classifications used in Australia
The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, 10th Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM) is derived from the ICD-10 and is used to capture morbidity statistics in the admitted patient care setting. The use of ICD-10-AM Twelfth Edition commenced on 1 July 2022.
The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd Edition, 2nd Revision (ICD-O-3.2) is currently used by Australian Cancer Registries to capture the site (topography), histology (morphology), behaviour, and grading of neoplasms.
Related classifications used in Australia
These classifications capture important aspects of health or the health system and are not covered by the reference or derived classifications.
The International Classification of Primary Care, 2nd edition (ICPC-2) and ICPC-2 PLUS are used to classify data about health care encounters, including reasons for encounter, diagnosis or problem and process of care. ICPC-2 PLUS is primarily used in general practice in Australia, implemented in electronic health record (EHR) systems.
The International Classification of External Causes of Injury (ICECI) is used to describe, measure and monitor the occurrence and circumstances of injuries. It is currently used in the Australian National Coronial Information System. The ICECI is no longer being maintained, with its concepts now included in ICD-11.
The Anatomical, Therapeutic, Chemical classification system with Daily Defined Doses (ATC/DDD System) is currently used in Australia for drug utilisation research.
The AS/NZS ISO 9999:2023 Technical aids for persons with disabilities is identical to ISO 9999:2022, and is used for disability services data collection as it specifies the classification and terminology of assistive products, especially produced or generally available, for persons to optimise functioning and reduce disability.
The International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) has been recommended for use as the standardised national nursing clinical terminology in Australia in alignment with National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
Australian classifications and their use in Australia
The following classifications are created and maintained by the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority and are governed by the rules set out in the Australian Coding Standards (ACS) volume of the ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS classification system.
The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, 10th Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM) is derived from the ICD-10 and is used to capture morbidity statistics in the admitted patient care and emergency department setting. The use of ICD-10-AM Twelfth Edition commenced on 1 July 2022.
The Australian Classification of Health Interventions, Twelfth Edition (ACHI) is derived from the Medicare Benefits Schedule and is used to classify surgeries, therapies and health interventions.
Contact details
Secretariat, Australian WHO-FIC Collaborating Centre
PO Box 570
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: [email protected]