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Making sure that the Australian health system is making the most of digital capabilities will enhance the quality of personalised care we receive, digital health tools assist healthcare providers in working together, connecting services, sharing information and decision-making. This leads to a more effective and sustainable health system for all.

Numerous digital health tools also alleviate the administrative workload involved in collecting data, freeing up healthcare providers to spend more time on direct patient care. Some digital health tools and platforms you may have used include:

  • telehealth
  • electronic prescriptions
  • My Health Record.

Digital health tools, which encompass a wide range of digital solutions, can make navigating the health system easier for all Australians. They enable healthcare providers to connect and communicate seamlessly, simplifying processes and facilitating increased information sharing. This, in turn, helps patients access the medical support they need quickly and efficiently.

"My Health Record is a great source of health information and helps me take charge of my personal health and feel in control of it."

Consumer, NSW  Agency-commissioned research, consumer quarterly polling study, 2023

Discover how it's all connected

The National Digital Health Strategy aims to achieve 4 outcomes for Australia’s health system. These outcomes are supported by 4 change enablers, which are necessary to drive consistent progress and realise the strategy in full.

The Strategy Delivery Roadmap outlines the scope, approach, governance, key inputs and partners that will contribute to delivering the strategy’s vision.

The roadmap highlights 12 priority areas, each containing initiatives undertaken by a lead and supported by partners, to achieve the strategy’s health outcomes.

Deliver a digitally enabled health system for all Australians, ensuring health and wellbeing services are connected, safe, secure and sustainable. Digital health tools make navigating the health system easier for all Australians and support healthcare providers to connect and communicate with each other seamlessly, thanks to simplified processes and increased information sharing.

This outcome will be driven by all 4 National Digital Health Strategy change enablers:

  1. Policy and regulatory settings that cultivate digital health adoption, use and innovations.
  2. Secure, fit for purpose and connected digital solutions.
  3. A digitally ready and enabled health and wellbeing workforce.
  4. Informed, confident consumers and carers with strong digital health literacy.

Learn about the enablers

The 3 key priority areas for the digitally enabled outcome are to:

  • Connect care
  • Enable a digitally ready workforce
  • Enhance and maintain modern and integrated digital solutions.

Explore the roadmap priorities and initiatives

Explore other outcomes

Person-centred outcome - Empowering Australians to look after their health and wellbeing and equipped with the right information and tools. Smiling female hospital staff member wearing hijab in dark blue uniform
Person-centred

Person-centred

Ensuring Australians are empowered to look after their health and wellbeing and equipped with the right information and tools.

Inclusive outcome - Equitable access to health services for Australians, when and where they need them. Two young girls both dressed in pink and with glasses, leaning in together, smiling girl facing camera with special needs in wheelchair
Inclusive

Inclusive

Providing Australians with equitable access to health services, when and where they need them.

Data-driven outcome - Readily available data to inform decision making about individuals, communities and national issues. Female (of Asian appearance) in hospital surgical room setting with mask and dressed in surgical scrubs, with five female and male surgical staff members blurred in background
Data-driven

Data-driven

Ensuring data is readily available and informs decision making about individuals, communities and national issues.

Enabling the digital health workforce

Enabling the digital health workforce

Published 22 February 2024

Date last updated: 28 March 2024