Better and Faster Access to health information
Improving access to health information in My Health Record is at the heart of recent reforms to Australia's digital health landscape, designed to provide better and faster access to health information.
Historically, not all key health information was required to be uploaded to My Health Record, leaving gaps in a consumer's record. The 'Sharing by Default' legislation aims to modernise healthcare, delivering more timely and comprehensive information for providers and consumers alike.
There are two key changes:
- Faster access
- Better access
Faster access
Pathology: Most pathology results (see list of test categories below) are available for consumers to view in My Health Record or the 1800MEDICARE app, as soon as they are uploaded. For certain categories (including anatomical pathology, cytopathology and genetic tests) results are available to consumers after a 5-day delay (reduced from the previous 7-day delay) regardless of test outcome*.
Tests with no access delay (PDF, 323.78 KB)
Diagnostic imaging: Consumers can view X-ray reports for limbs (arms and legs) as soon as they are uploaded. Other X-ray and diagnostic imaging reports (for scans like CT, MRI and PET scans, mammograms and ultrasounds) are available for consumers to view after 5 days, reduced from the previous 7-day delay*.
*If there are multiple results in the same report, where different access timeframes apply, the 5-day delay period will apply to the entire report. Healthcare providers will continue to have access to all results as soon as they are uploaded.
Better access
The Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record – Sharing by Default) Act 2025 responds to recommendations from the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report. It provides a framework for key health information to be shared to My Health Record by default. The scope, requirements and exceptions for sharing health information to My Health Record are outlined in the Health Insurance (Share by Default) Rules 2025 and the My Health Record (Share by Default) Rules 2025, collectively referred to as the Share by Default rules.
Initially, the requirement to share to My Health Record by default will apply to written pathology and imaging reports prepared by (or on behalf of) a pathologist or radiologist. The requirement does not include images. These changes will help ensure consumers and their healthcare providers can access key information through My Health Record to support care. In future, other types of health information may be included in the upload mandate.
The Sharing by Default legislation will come into effect from July 2026, giving healthcare providers time to get ready.
There will be exceptions to mandatory uploading requirements, including where consumers or their representatives request that reports not be uploaded, where a reasonable concern for consumer, health, safety or wellbeing exists, or where technical/system issues prevent upload. Evidence of exceptions must be retained for 2 years.
Next steps for healthcare providers
- Register your organisation for My Health Record if not already connected – see implementing My Health Record in your healthcare organisation for details.
- Ensure your clinical software can upload information to My Health Record. For more details, download the quick reference guide - pathology and diagnostic imaging conformant software.
- Access education and training resources to prepare your team for the new requirements.
- Download the guide for healthcare providers that request pathology and diagnostic imaging (requesting providers) or the guide for pathology and diagnostic imaging service providers.
- Download the Share by Default scope interactive guide to check if you are required to upload pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record.
- Refer to the fact sheet for pathology laboratories.
Frequently asked questions
Who will the requirement to share to My Health Record by default apply to?
Initially, the requirement will apply to healthcare providers that deliver pathology and diagnostic imaging services (such as blood tests and x-rays), where there is a written report prepared by or on behalf of a pathologist or radiologist. It does not include sharing images to My Health Record.
Download the Share by Default scope interactive guide to check if you are required to upload pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record.
In the future, other types of health information may be required to be shared with My Health Record by default. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will undertake further consultation prior to introducing requirements for additional healthcare providers or health information.
Additional information is available on implementing My Health Record in your healthcare organisation. You can also refer to the quick reference guide about pathology and diagnostic imaging conformant software and the My Health Record Conformance Register.
When does the requirement to share to My Health Record by default commence?
The requirement to share pathology and diagnostic imaging results with My Health Record will come into effect on 1 July 2026.
In certain circumstances, healthcare providers who are unable to comply with the new rules may be eligible to apply for an extension.
What can pathology or diagnostic imaging service providers do to get ready to share by default?
If an organisation is not already registered for My Health Record, they are encouraged to register now, to ensure they are ready. For information on how to do this, refer to implementing My Health Record in your healthcare organisation.
The organisation's software needs to be able to upload to My Health Record. If unsure, providers can check with their software provider or secure messaging vendor.
Additional information is available on implementing My Health Record in your healthcare organisation and the My Health Record Conformance Register.
What happens if a healthcare provider doesn't comply with the requirement to share to My Health Record by default?
If an organisation fails to comply with the requirement to share to My Health Record by default, they could be instructed to repay money they received for that service under the Medicare Benefits Scheme. In some cases, civil penalties may also apply.
Where an organisation is required to upload information to My Health Record by default and they are not doing so - for example, because they have been granted an extension of time to comply - they must display a notice informing consumers of this. The notice must be visible at the provider's premises and on their website. In addition, the notice must be displayed on any online platforms that consumers use to book appointments at the organisation. Not displaying the notice may result in a civil penalty.
More information can be found on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
In certain circumstances, healthcare providers who are unable to comply with the new rules may be eligible to apply for an extension.
What exceptions may apply to this requirement?
Under the legislation, there are certain circumstances when information does not need to be uploaded to My Health Record, because one of the following exceptions apply:
- The consumer does not have a My Health Record.
- The consumer requests that the information is not uploaded to their record.
- A consumer's authorised or nominated representative requests that the information is not uploaded.
- A healthcare provider reasonably believes that the information should not be uploaded because of concern for the health, safety or wellbeing of the consumer.
- The information cannot be shared due to circumstances outside the reasonable control of the provider, such as technical system issues that prevent uploads from happening.
If a healthcare provider does not upload because one of these exceptions apply, they must retain evidence of the exception, for a period of 2 years from the date that the healthcare service occurs. They may be asked to produce evidence to justify that an exception applied.
The rules specify additional circumstances where uploading to My Health Record is optional, but not required. This includes where pathology and diagnostic imaging reports are generated for the purpose of workplace drug or alcohol testing, court ordered testing, or law enforcement, as well as pathology tests undertaken solely for research and clinical trials (however if the report is otherwise provided to the healthcare recipient or their healthcare providers, it must be uploaded).
In addition, if an extension of time to comply with the mandate has been granted, or preserved privacy laws apply, a provider does not need to upload to My Health Record by default.
Read more about the extensions process.
Who can decide that information should not be uploaded to My Health Record?
At any time, a consumer can request that information is not uploaded to their record. A healthcare provider must comply with this request. A request can also be made by a consumer's authorised representative or nominated representative.
In addition, if a healthcare provider has a reasonable concern that uploading particular information to My Health Record will be harmful to the health, safety or wellbeing of the consumer, they can decide that a specific report not be uploaded.
This decision should be made in consultation with the consumer, where possible.
Where a decision is made to not upload specific information the reasons should be recorded in the healthcare provider's notes.
In addition, the healthcare provider that is subject to the mandatory upload requirement must keep a record of the reason for not uploading, for a period of 2 years.
For more information about recordkeeping requirements, refer to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website: Modernising My Health Record – Improved sharing of pathology and diagnostic imaging information.
Can access controls be applied to reports?
If a report is uploaded and a consumer or their authorised representative later changes their mind, they can delete it, hide it from view, or restrict access to the report or their entire record, in accordance with consumer access controls.
Healthcare providers should keep this in mind and remember that My Health Record is not a complete health record and should be used to supplement other sources of information.
What privacy and access, obligations, and education resources are available?
A range of information about privacy and access is available to help providers understand measures designed to ensure appropriate access and support consumer choice, including:
- Who can access My Health Record and when this can occur.
- Who can author and upload information and when it can be uploaded.
- Consumer access controls, access history and audit trails.
- Emergency access requirements.
- Penalties.
- System security.
In addition, healthcare providers should ensure they are familiar with obligations they must adhere to when using My Health Record.
A range of education and training resources for healthcare providers are also available.
Extensions
Applying for an extension of time to comply
Most organisations that prepare written reports authored (or co-authored) by a pathologist or radiologist will be required to share these reports with My Health Record, from 1 July 2026. If your organisation has a genuine reason that it will not be able to start uploading to My Health Record by 1 July 2026, you can apply for an extension of time to comply.
Extension requests will be individually considered. The duration of any extension will be based on the information and evidence provided by the applicant. When an extension ceases, the legislative obligations will apply immediately.
Steps to apply for an extension
- Check whether your organisation is required to share by default – download the Share by Default scope interactive guide to find out.
- Download and read the extensions process frequently asked questions (PDF, 268.4 KB)
- Complete the preparation checklist (PDF, 186.29 KB) to ensure you have all of the necessary information and supporting documentation.
- After completing the checklist, commence the extensions application process, via the extension portal.
Note: wherever possible, organisations are strongly encouraged to register for My Health Record before completing the extension application – follow the steps to Implement My Health Record.
Requirement to display a notice about not uploading
Where an organisation is required to upload information to My Health Record by default and they are not doing so – for example, because they have been granted an extension of time to comply – they must display a notice informing consumers of this. The notice must be visible at the provider’s premises and on their website. In addition, the notice must be displayed on any online platforms that consumers use to book appointments at the organisation. If the notice is not displayed, penalties may apply.