FAQs for the public
What is ASPREN?
The Australian Sentinel Practices Research Network (ASPREN) is a national network of general practices that help monitor respiratory illnesses such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, and RSV in the community.
By collecting information from patients visiting their GP, ASPREN helps track which viruses are circulating and how they are changing over time. This supports public health responses, vaccine development, and better patient care across Australia.
Who runs ASPREN?
ASPREN is led by the Discipline of General Practice at Adelaide University and is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). The Australian Centre for Disease Control’s role is to protect people in Australia from health threats by strengthening prevention, preparedness and trusted public health advice. They bring together experts, data and evidence to give independent public health advice to government.
ASPREN works in partnership with general practices, laboratories, and national and international public health organisations.
Why am I being invited to participate?
You may be invited to take part because you are visiting a participating GP clinic with symptoms of a respiratory illness (such as a cough, fever, or sore throat).
Your participation helps provide a clearer picture of what illnesses are circulating in the community, which can improve healthcare for everyone.
What will I have to do to participate in ASPREN?
Participation is simple and part of your usual GP visit. You may be asked to:
- Allow your GP to record some information about your symptoms and health history
- Complete a short survey
- Have a swab taken from your nose and/or throat (if appropriate)
Your GP or nurse will guide you through the process.
Are there any risks associated with participating in ASPREN?
There are minimal risks. If you are asked to have a swab, you may experience mild discomfort or a brief tickling sensation in your nose or throat. This is similar to routine respiratory testing and passes quickly.
Do I have to pay to participate?
No. There is no cost to you or your practice for participating in ASPREN. If a swab is taken as part of ASPREN, this testing is provided free of charge—even if you do not have Medicare.
Will participating affect my medical care?
No. Your care will not be affected whether you choose to participate or not.
How long does participation take?
Participation adds only a few minutes to your consultation. If a swab is taken, this usually takes a few additional minutes.
Can children participate?
Yes. Children may participate with consent from a parent or guardian.
Why are only some patients invited to participate?
GPs follow specific guidelines on which patients to include, to ensure the data collected are accurate and representative of the community.
Is my information confidential?
Yes, All data are de-identified before being analysed, meaning your name and identifying details are not included. ASPREN operates under strict ethics approval and data governance frameworks to protect your privacy.
More details are available at the What happens to my information? and Privacy & Data Security sections.
What will happen to my information?
Your information is used for public health surveillance and research.
De-identified data are combined with information from other patients to produce summary reports that help:
- Monitor circulating viruses
- Inform public health responses
- Improve vaccines and treatments
These reports may be shared with organisations such as the Australian Centre for Disease Control and international partners like the World Health Organization.
More details are available at the What happens to my information? Section.
Is any of my DNA collected or shared?
No, your DNA is not being analysed or shared. The swab is only used to detect viruses. The solution the swab is placed in (viral transport medium) is designed to preserve viruses, especially their RNA, so they can be detected in the lab.
How will I receive the results of my test?
Your GP will receive your laboratory test result.
If the result is clinically relevant to your care, your GP will discuss it with you, just like any other test result.
Can I see a copy of the patient consent, information sheet etc?
Yes. You can view the Patient Information Sheet and consent materials here:
ASPREN Information sheet for patients [Open]
Consent & Extra Questions For Surveillance Form [Open]
Can I withdraw my participation?
Yes. Participation is voluntary, and you can choose not to take part at any time and it will not affect your care.
However, once your data have been de-identified and included in analyses, they cannot be withdrawn because they can no longer be linked back to you.
What are the potential benefits of ASPREN?
While there may not be a direct benefit to you, your participation helps:
- Improve understanding of respiratory illnesses in the community
- Support more accurate and timely public health responses
- Inform vaccine effectiveness and treatment strategies
- Help GPs and health systems respond more effectively to outbreaks
If you are swabbed, you will be tested for a panel of 12 respiratory pathogens—meaning that in most cases, you can find out exactly what is causing your illness.
Find out more at What is ASPREN data used for?
Who do I contact if I have questions about ASPREN?
If you have questions, you can:
What if I have a complaint or concerns?
If you have concerns about the study, you can contact the ASPREN team or the independent Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) that oversees the project:
Further details are available in the Privacy & data security section.