# Health Connect Australia Provider Directory FHIR Implementation Guide

26.0.0 - Trial

Health Connect Australia Provider Directory FHIR Implementation Guide, published by Australian Digital Health Agency. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 26.0.0 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/AuDigitalHealth/HCPD/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

## Extension: HCPD_Alternate_Postal_Address - Detailed Descriptions

Active as of 2026-06-17

Definitions for the hcpd-alternate-postal-address extension.

- Key Elements Table
- Differential Elements Table
- Snapshot Elements Table

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be foundhere

0. Extension
Definition | Carries an alternate postal/mailing address for correspondence (PO Box or mailing address) that is distinct from the registered physical address. This extension is used in the context of HCPD-Location profile. Allows organisations to nominate a secure mailing address for official correspondence. Optional Extension Element - found in all resources.
Short | HCPD Alternate Postal AddressOptional Extensions Element
Control | 0..* This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
Is Modifier | false
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`) ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (`extension.exists() != value.exists()`) ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())) ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
2. Extension.extension
Definition | An Extension May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.
Short | ExtensionAdditional content defined by implementations
Comments | There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.
Control | 0..0*
Type | Extension
Is Modifier | false
Summary | false
Alternate Names | extensions, user content
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`) ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (`extension.exists() != value.exists()`) ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())) ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (extension.exists() != value.exists())
Slicing | This element introduces a set of slices on `Extension.extension`. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators: value @ url
4. Extension.url
Definition | Source of the definition for the extension code - a logical name or a URL.
Short | identifies the meaning of the extension
Comments | The definition may point directly to a computable or human-readable definition of the extensibility codes, or it may be a logical URI as declared in some other specification. The definition SHALL be a URI for the Structure Definition defining the extension.
Control | 1..1
Type | uri
Is Modifier | false
XML Format | In the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summary | false
Fixed Value | `http://digitalhealth.gov.au/fhir/hcpd/StructureDefinition/hcpd-alternate-postal-address`
6. Extension.value[x]
Definition | A chosen or alternate postal or mailing address, used for correspondence and separate from the registered physical address. Value of extension - must be one of a constrained set of the data types (see Extensibility for a list).
Short | Alternate postal/mailing addressValue of extension
Control | 10..1
Type | Address, date, Meta, Attachment, integer, Count, DataRequirement, Dosage, uuid, Identifier, Coding, SampledData, id, positiveInt, Distance, Period, Duration, canonical, Range, RelatedArtifact, base64Binary, UsageContext, Timing, decimal, CodeableConcept, ParameterDefinition, dateTime, code, string, Contributor, oid, instant, ContactPoint, HumanName, Money, markdown, Ratio, Age, Reference, TriggerDefinition, Quantity, uri, url, Annotation, ContactDetail, boolean, Expression, Signature, unsignedInt, time
[x] Note | SeeChoice of Data Typesfor further information about how to use [x]
Is Modifier | false
Summary | false
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`) ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
8. Extension.value[x].use
Definition | The purpose of this address.
Short | home | work | temp | old | billing - purpose of this address
Comments | Applications can assume that an address is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.
Control | 0..1
Binding | The codes SHALL be taken from AddressUse http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/address-use|4.0.1 (required to `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/address-use|4.0.1` ) The use of an address.
Type | code
Is Modifier | true because This is labeled as "Is Modifier" because applications should not mistake a temporary or old address etc.for a current/permanent one
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Requirements | Allows an appropriate address to be chosen from a list of many.
Example | General: home
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`) ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))
10. Extension.value[x].type
Definition | Distinguishes between physical addresses (those you can visit) and mailing addresses (e.g. PO Boxes and care-of addresses). Most addresses are both.
Short | postal | physical | both
Comments | The definition of Address states that "address is intended to describe postal addresses, not physical locations". However, many applications track whether an address has a dual purpose of being a location that can be visited as well as being a valid delivery destination, and Postal addresses are often used as proxies for physical locations (also see the Location resource). The definition of Address states that "address is intended to describe postal addresses, not physical locations". However, many applications track whether an address has a dual purpose of being a location that can be visited as well as being a valid delivery destination, and Postal addresses are often used as proxies for physical locations (also see the Location resource).
Control | 0..1
Binding | The codes SHALL be taken from AddressType http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/address-type|4.0.1 (required to `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/address-type|4.0.1` ) The type of an address (physical / postal).
Type | code
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Fixed Value | `postal`
Example | General: both
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`) ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count()))

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be foundhere

0. Extension
Definition | Carries an alternate postal/mailing address for correspondence (PO Box or mailing address) that is distinct from the registered physical address. This extension is used in the context of HCPD-Location profile. Allows organisations to nominate a secure mailing address for official correspondence.
Short | HCPD Alternate Postal Address
2. Extension.extension
Control | 0..0
4. Extension.url
Fixed Value | `http://digitalhealth.gov.au/fhir/hcpd/StructureDefinition/hcpd-alternate-postal-address`
6. Extension.value[x]
Definition | A chosen or alternate postal or mailing address, used for correspondence and separate from the registered physical address.
Short | Alternate postal/mailing address
Control | 1..?
Type | Address, date, Meta, Attachment, integer, Count, DataRequirement, Dosage, uuid, Identifier, Coding, SampledData, id, positiveInt, Distance, Period, Duration, canonical, Range, RelatedArtifact, base64Binary, UsageContext, Timing, decimal, CodeableConcept, ParameterDefinition, dateTime, code, string, Contributor, oid, instant, ContactPoint, HumanName, Money, markdown, Ratio, Age, Reference, TriggerDefinition, Quantity, uri, url, Annotation, ContactDetail, boolean, Expression, Signature, unsignedInt, time
[x] Note | SeeChoice of Data Typesfor further information about how to use [x]
8. Extension.value[x].type
Fixed Value | `postal`

Guidance on how to interpret the contents of this table can be foundhere

0. Extension
Definition | Carries an alternate postal/mailing address for correspondence (PO Box or mailing address) that is distinct from the registered physical address. This extension is used in the context of HCPD-Location profile. Allows organisations to nominate a secure mailing address for official correspondence.
Short | HCPD Alternate Postal Address
Control | 0..* This element is affected by the following invariants: ele-1
Is Modifier | false
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`) ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (`extension.exists() != value.exists()`)
2. Extension.id
Definition | Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.
Short | Unique id for inter-element referencing
Control | 0..1
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
XML Format | In the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summary | false
4. Extension.extension
Definition | An Extension
Short | Extension
Control | 0..0
Type | Extension
Is Modifier | false
Summary | false
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`) ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (`extension.exists() != value.exists()`)
Slicing | This element introduces a set of slices on `Extension.extension`. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators: value @ url
6. Extension.url
Definition | Source of the definition for the extension code - a logical name or a URL.
Short | identifies the meaning of the extension
Comments | The definition may point directly to a computable or human-readable definition of the extensibility codes, or it may be a logical URI as declared in some other specification. The definition SHALL be a URI for the Structure Definition defining the extension.
Control | 1..1
Type | uri
Is Modifier | false
XML Format | In the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summary | false
Fixed Value | `http://digitalhealth.gov.au/fhir/hcpd/StructureDefinition/hcpd-alternate-postal-address`
8. Extension.value[x]
Definition | A chosen or alternate postal or mailing address, used for correspondence and separate from the registered physical address.
Short | Alternate postal/mailing address
Control | 1..1
Type | Address
[x] Note | SeeChoice of Data Typesfor further information about how to use [x]
Is Modifier | false
Summary | false
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
10. Extension.value[x].id
Definition | Unique id for the element within a resource (for internal references). This may be any string value that does not contain spaces.
Short | Unique id for inter-element referencing
Control | 0..1
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
XML Format | In the XML format, this property is represented as an attribute.
Summary | false
12. Extension.value[x].extension
Definition | May be used to represent additional information that is not part of the basic definition of the element. To make the use of extensions safe and manageable, there is a strict set of governance applied to the definition and use of extensions. Though any implementer can define an extension, there is a set of requirements that SHALL be met as part of the definition of the extension.
Short | Additional content defined by implementations
Comments | There can be no stigma associated with the use of extensions by any application, project, or standard - regardless of the institution or jurisdiction that uses or defines the extensions. The use of extensions is what allows the FHIR specification to retain a core level of simplicity for everyone.
Control | 0..*
Type | Extension
Is Modifier | false
Summary | false
Alternate Names | extensions, user content
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`) ext-1: Must have either extensions or value[x], not both (`extension.exists() != value.exists()`)
Slicing | This element introduces a set of slices on `Extension.value[x].extension`. The slices areUnordered and Open, and can be differentiated using the following discriminators: value @ url
14. Extension.value[x].use
Definition | The purpose of this address.
Short | home | work | temp | old | billing - purpose of this address
Comments | Applications can assume that an address is current unless it explicitly says that it is temporary or old.
Control | 0..1
Binding | The codes SHALL be taken from AddressUse (required to `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/address-use|4.0.1` ) The use of an address.
Type | code
Is Modifier | true because This is labeled as "Is Modifier" because applications should not mistake a temporary or old address etc.for a current/permanent one
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Requirements | Allows an appropriate address to be chosen from a list of many.
Example | General: home
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
16. Extension.value[x].type
Definition | Distinguishes between physical addresses (those you can visit) and mailing addresses (e.g. PO Boxes and care-of addresses). Most addresses are both.
Short | postal | physical | both
Comments | The definition of Address states that "address is intended to describe postal addresses, not physical locations". However, many applications track whether an address has a dual purpose of being a location that can be visited as well as being a valid delivery destination, and Postal addresses are often used as proxies for physical locations (also see the Location resource).
Control | 0..1
Binding | The codes SHALL be taken from AddressType (required to `http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/address-type|4.0.1` ) The type of an address (physical / postal).
Type | code
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Fixed Value | `postal`
Example | General: both
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
18. Extension.value[x].text
Definition | Specifies the entire address as it should be displayed e.g. on a postal label. This may be provided instead of or as well as the specific parts.
Short | Text representation of the address
Comments | Can provide both a text representation and parts. Applications updating an address SHALL ensure that when both text and parts are present, no content is included in the text that isn't found in a part.
Control | 0..1
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Requirements | A renderable, unencoded form.
Example | General: 137 Nowhere Street, Erewhon 9132
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
20. Extension.value[x].line
Definition | This component contains the house number, apartment number, street name, street direction, P.O. Box number, delivery hints, and similar address information.
Short | Street name, number, direction & P.O. Box etc.
Control | 0..*
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Example | General: 137 Nowhere Street
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
22. Extension.value[x].city
Definition | The name of the city, town, suburb, village or other community or delivery center.
Short | Name of city, town etc.
Control | 0..1
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Alternate Names | Municpality
Example | General: Erewhon
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
24. Extension.value[x].district
Definition | The name of the administrative area (county).
Short | District name (aka county)
Comments | District is sometimes known as county, but in some regions 'county' is used in place of city (municipality), so county name should be conveyed in city instead.
Control | 0..1
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Alternate Names | County
Example | General: Madison
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
26. Extension.value[x].state
Definition | Sub-unit of a country with limited sovereignty in a federally organized country. A code may be used if codes are in common use (e.g. US 2 letter state codes).
Short | Sub-unit of country (abbreviations ok)
Control | 0..1
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Alternate Names | Province, Territory
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
28. Extension.value[x].postalCode
Definition | A postal code designating a region defined by the postal service.
Short | Postal code for area
Control | 0..1
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Alternate Names | Zip
Example | General: 9132
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
30. Extension.value[x].country
Definition | Country - a nation as commonly understood or generally accepted.
Short | Country (e.g. can be ISO 3166 2 or 3 letter code)
Comments | ISO 3166 3 letter codes can be used in place of a human readable country name.
Control | 0..1
Type | string
Is Modifier | false
Primitive Value | This primitive element may be present, or absent, or replaced by an extension
Summary | true
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)
32. Extension.value[x].period
Definition | Time period when address was/is in use.
Short | Time period when address was/is in use
Control | 0..1
Type | Period
Is Modifier | false
Summary | true
Requirements | Allows addresses to be placed in historical context.
Example | General: { "start" : "2010-03-23", "end" : "2010-07-01" }
Invariants | ele-1: All FHIR elements must have a @value or children (`hasValue() or (children().count() > id.count())`)