Better and Faster Access to your health information

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Important health information is increasingly being made available through My Health Record, giving you greater access to your key health information.

From July 2026, it will be mandatory for providers to upload pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record, except in some circumstances. This means more reports about your tests (such as blood and urine test results, X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds) are available in My Health Record.

This empowers you and your healthcare team to make better-informed decisions, and support safer, more connected care, no matter where you receive treatment.

Access to results

After you visit your pathology or diagnostic imaging provider, they will review and analyse the results. They may also need input from a specialised pathology laboratory or radiology provider. It can take days, or even weeks, for a report to be finalised, depending on the type of test. 

When the report is ready, it is sent to the healthcare provider that requested the test. Generally, it will be uploaded to My Health Record within 24 hours of being shared with the requesting provider, unless an exception applies. 

Once uploaded, the report will appear in your record. Sometimes, you won't be able to open it until 5 days after it is uploaded. 

Pathology

  • Most pathology reports (like blood and urine tests) are available to view in My Health Record or the 1800MEDICARE app as soon as they are uploaded.  
  • Some types of reports are viewable after a 5-day delay, regardless of the result.  
  • If there are multiple results in the same report, where different delay periods apply, the 5-day delay period will apply to the entire report. 

Learn more about pathology reports in My Health Record.

Diagnostic imaging

  • Some X-ray reports for limbs (arms and legs) are available to view in My Health Record or the 1800MEDICARE app as soon as they are uploaded.
  • Other X-rays and diagnostic imaging reports (for scans like CT, MRI and PET scans, mammograms and ultrasounds) are viewable after 5 days. The delay will apply regardless of the result.
  • If there are multiple results in the same report, where different delay periods apply, the 5-day delay period will apply to the entire report.

Learn more about diagnostic imaging reports in My Health Record.

Some reports may not be uploaded

In some situations, information may not be uploaded, if an exception applies, such as:

  • if you or your representative ask that it not be uploaded
  • if your healthcare provider has concerns about your health, safety or wellbeing
  • if technical issues (like a system outage) prevent uploading.

When exceptions like these apply, your provider must keep a record for at least 2 years.

There are other reasons why your reports may not be available, such as your provider has an extension of time to comply, preserved privacy laws exist, or the type of report is not required to be uploaded – refer to the frequently asked questions below for more information about report availability.

Follow-up appointments

Healthcare providers remain an important source of advice and support for understanding your results, discussing treatment options and determining next steps in care. For this reason, you should always make a follow-up appointment with your provider to discuss your results and confirm next steps.

Frequently asked questions

Will all results be uploaded?

There are some circumstances where your report may not be uploaded to My Health Record, for example where: 

  • you or your representative ask that a report is not uploaded
  • your details on the pathology or diagnostic imaging request do not match your details in My Health Record
  • a system or technical issue prevents the upload
  • the pathology or diagnostic imaging provider has applied for an extension of time to comply with the upload requirements
  • the report is written by a specialist who is not a pathologist or radiologist (for example, a cardiologist, gynaecologist or gastroenterologist)
  • you do not have a record or you have hidden your entire record from view (using settings in My Health Record or 1800MEDICARE app) – this means healthcare organisations don't know you have a record, which can prevent uploads from occurring
  • a healthcare provider reasonably believes uploading the information could pose a risk to your health, safety or wellbeing
  • the type of report is not required to be uploaded (such as workplace drug and alcohol testing, court-ordered testing, or testing for law enforcement purposes)
  • the type of report is subject to certain state and territory legislation that prevents uploads in some circumstances.
     

What happens if my healthcare provider doesn't upload? 

Healthcare providers that don't follow the new rules may be required to repay money received for that service under the Medicare Benefits Scheme and may face penalties, if they don't have a valid reason for not uploading. If a provider has applied for an extension and is not yet uploading information, they must display a notice in their clinic and on their website.

I don't know what my result means – what should I do? 

Your pathology and diagnostic imaging reports will also still be sent directly to your GP or healthcare provider. It is recommended that you discuss your pathology and diagnostic imaging results with your healthcare provider. They are best placed to provide advice and help you understand your results. You can also visit the Pathology Tests Explained website to learn more about pathology tests.

How is my privacy protected?

You're always in control of your record. You can manage your important information, control who has access to it, and see what has been accessed.

Privacy settings allow you to restrict access to your record, restrict access to a document or remove a document. You can also invite people you trust access to your record, so they can view or help you manage it.

My Health Record has strong privacy and security protections:

  • You decide who can see your information.
  • You can see who has accessed your record.
  • There are penalties for unauthorised access or misuse.
  • Audit trails and access history are available to you.
  • Emergency access is tightly controlled.

Learn more about privacy and access controls.

Can I choose not to have information uploaded? 

Yes, you can ask your healthcare provider not to upload a particular report. Your authorised or nominated representative (someone you trust to manage your health information) can also make this request on your behalf.

If you don't have My Health Record, reports won't be uploaded for you.

What if I change my mind? 

If you decide later that you don't want a report in My Health Record, you can delete it, hide it from view, or restrict who can see it by using the privacy and access controls. Explore privacy and access controls.

What if I don't have My Health Record?

If you don't have a My Health Record, your reports won't be uploaded. You can register for one at any time.

To register for My Health Record you must:

  • Be 14 years or older.
  • Have the capacity to make decisions for yourself.
  • Have an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) – an IHI is a unique 16-digit number used to identify an individual for healthcare purposes. It helps ensure the right information is associated with the right individual at the point of care. If you are enrolled in Medicare, or are listed on a Medicare or DVA card, you will already have an IHI. If you are not enrolled in Medicare and are not listed on a Medicare or DVA card, you need to get an IHI before completing this form. To apply for an IHI, visit the Service Australia website or call the Healthcare Identifiers Service on 1300 361 457.