Dear reader,
I am pleased to share the second edition of our newsletter, we hope you enjoyed our first edition which is now available to view on our website. As 2025 draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved together over the past year:
- Modernising My Health Record: The introduction of the Sharing by Default Act 2025 has made secure, routine sharing of health information a reality for more Australians, with record growth in both consumer and provider engagement.
- Advancing Interoperability: Over half of the 44 actions in the National Healthcare Interoperability Plan are now complete, driving real improvements in identity, standards, and information sharing across the sector.
- Empowering the Digital Health Workforce: More than 74,000 people participated in digital health education and training, supported by new toolkits and innovative learning programmes.
- Safer, Smarter Medication Management: Electronic prescribing and real-time prescription monitoring have expanded, making medication management safer and more efficient for clinicians and patients alike.
- Strengthening Connectivity in Care: Our partnerships have enabled digital health solutions to reach further, particularly in rural and remote communities, with initiatives like the Royal Flying Doctor Service EHR system.
- Global Recognition: Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy was ranked number one globally for its clarity of vision and action-oriented approach, a testament to the collective effort of our stakeholders.
Our progress this year has been defined not just by the milestones we have achieved, but by the strength of our collaborations. The Agency’s work is only possible because of the dedication, expertise, and trust of our partners across the health sector. Whether you are a healthcare provider, industry innovator, government colleague, or community representative, your willingness to engage, share insights, and work alongside us has shaped our direction and amplified our impact.
As the holiday season approaches, this will be our final edition for the year. On behalf of the Partnerships and Education Branch, thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your tireless work throughout 2025. We look forward to deepening our collaboration and achieving even greater things together in 2026.
Season’s Greetings and best wishes for a safe, happy, and successful new year!
Kind regards,
Linda Neale
Acting Branch Manager, Partnerships and Education
Australian Digital Health Agency
In this article:
- Agency spotlight
- Recent highlights
- Agency news
- Project and program updates
- Consultation opportunities
- Upcoming events
- Learning spotlight
- Inside Digital Health
Agency Spotlight
National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan
The Agency, in partnership with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) and with support from Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), are pleased to announce that the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan (Uplift Plan) will be released in early December 2025. Informed through extensive consultation, the Uplift Plan provides a high-level, strategic and phased approach to support the digital uplift of the allied health sector to deliver a more connected allied health workforce, enabled through digital technology and data to support multidisciplinary care for Australians when and where they need it.
The Uplift Plan outlines opportunities for all partners - including Allied Health Professionals, organisations, peak bodies, professional associations, governments, primary health networks and software vendors - to uplift the allied health sector and actively engage in the digital health and care system. It sets the direction to scale allied health connection to, and adoption of, national digital health infrastructure, enabled through the delivery of current and planned digital technology and data initiatives which support more connected, multidisciplinary care.
The Uplift Plan is about empowering every Allied Health Professional, from solo practices to large clinics, to understand and embrace the tools needed to deliver person-centred care in a digitally connected health system for all Australians. Please keep a look out for the Uplift Plan that will be released on the Agency’s website in early December.
National Digital Health Strategy Action and Impact Report 2023-2025
The National Digital Health Strategy Action and Impact Report 2023-2025 is now live. The report highlights the significant progress our Agency has made in advancing the initiatives we lead and co-lead. This report not only reflects our commitment to delivering meaningful digital health reform, but also demonstrates the tangible impact these actions are having across Australia’s health system.
From strengthening interoperability to empowering consumers and clinicians with better access to data, the outcomes outlined in this report show how digital innovation is improving care, enhancing safety, and driving system-wide efficiencies. You can download the report here.
Recent highlights
Better and faster access to pathology and diagnostic imaging reports
As outlined in Edition 1 of Partnership Pulse, the Agency is implementing reforms that provide Australians and their healthcare providers with better and faster access to pathology and diagnostic imaging reports in My Health Record. This will occur through a combination of legislative and policy changes.
For healthcare providers
A new factsheet for pathology laboratories is now available, summarising changes for pathology lab staff. This complements the existing guide for requesting providers and the guide for pathology and diagnostic imaging services. Healthcare providers can also learn more about the share by default requirements on our website.
For consumers
When your pathology results are added to My Health Record, you can now access most results immediately. Ask your provider if they upload to My Health Record, or view the list of participating pathology and diagnostic imaging providers. Learn more by visiting the better and faster access webpage or downloading the fact sheet for healthcare consumers.
Agency Update Webinar
The Partnerships and Education Branch ran an Agency Update Webinar on Thursday, 23 October, attracting over 400 registrations. Agenda topics included a welcome from CEO Amanda Cattermole and updates on Share by Default, Allied Health connections, Clinical Governance, building a national approach for medical image exchange, SLICC, HI Service Conformance, Real Time Prescription Monitoring and building the digital health capability of the health workforce. If you would like to view the slide deck, please click here.
The Agency Update Webinar is held annually and is one of the key opportunities for the Agency to share a wide variety of updates across business areas to our valued stakeholders. If you would like to receive the webinar invitation in 2026, please contact the Agency’s Engagement team at engagement@digitalhealth.gov.au. Dates will be confirmed shortly.
INSPIRE Wrap-Up: A Powerful Day of Connection, Collaboration and Standards in Action
On 10 November 2025, the Australian Digital Health Agency welcomed a vibrant and engaged community to INSPIRE – Interoperability and Standards in Practice: Innovation, Readiness, Education at QT Canberra. The event brought together thought leaders, clinicians, technologists, and policy makers to explore the critical role of standards in shaping a more connected and interoperable healthcare system.
INSPIRE was designed to spark meaningful conversations and showcase how standards are being applied in practice to improve outcomes across the sector. The day began with a warm Rite of Passage by Uncle Wally Bell, Ngunnawal Elder and Traditional Custodian, followed by an inspiring Opening Vision from Dr Steve Hambleton, who also served as Master of Ceremonies.
A standout moment came from Dave deBronkart, internationally renowned patient advocate, whose keynote reminded us of the human impact of digital health and the importance of empowering consumers. The theme of collaboration and global perspective continued with Herko Coomans from the Dutch Ministry of Health, who shared insights on international interoperability efforts.
Speakers such as Liz Keen (Infosys Consulting), Professor Bernie Bisset (University of Canberra), and Rachel Dunscombe (OpenEHR International) explored the value of standards in governance, clinical practice, and data integrity and the impact on all of use as patients. Their sessions highlighted how standards are not just technical tools, they are enablers of trust, safety, and innovation.
The afternoon featured a dynamic panel discussion led by Peter O’Halloran, Chief Digital Officer at the Agency, followed by a practical session on Turning Standards into Action with Ryan Mavin, Branch Manager of Informatics & Standards. The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr Hambleton and a relaxed afternoon tea and showcase, giving attendees the chance to connect and reflect.
We are very appreciative to the speakers for the energy and engagement they generated on the day, which reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing digital health through collaboration and driving standards. By bringing together diverse voices and showcasing real-world applications, the event empowered industry leaders, innovators, and practitioners to develop more efficient, connected, and patient-centred outcomes. The conversations will continue to fuel progress, ensuring that standards remain a powerful enabler of trust, safety, and innovation across the healthcare ecosystem.
Agency news
Australian Digital Health Agency to co-host SNOMED CT Expo 2026 in Sydney
The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) will co-host Australia's inaugural SNOMED CT* Expo next year. The event will unite global leaders in Sydney in 2026 to explore advancements in clinical terminology and digital health innovation.
Acting Agency CEO Peter O’Halloran said co-hosting the event with SNOMED International highlights Australia’s commitment to digital health innovation and global collaboration.
Immediate access to most pathology reports empowers Australians and their care teams from today
Access to timely and accurate pathology reports is a critical challenge for healthcare teams. Australians living with chronic or complex conditions often rely on care from a range of professionals like specialists, GPs, nurses and allied health practitioners,
who all need up-to-date information to coordinate and optimise care, even if they are not the original requestor of the test. Delays in receiving pathology results can slow decision-making, impact communication between providers and affect outcomes for healthcare consumers.
National Digital Health Strategy advancing care for all Australians
From remote communities like Santa Teresa in the Northern Territory that are fully connected to digital health systems, to Australians now able to access most pathology results in real time, the National Digital Health Strategy Action and Impact Report 2023–2025 (the report) highlights the progress and impact of the National Digital Health Strategy 2023–2028 (the strategy) in action.
The report, released by the Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency), sets out the demonstrable changes and improvements the strategy and its accompanying Delivery Roadmap (the roadmap) have delivered for Australians, communities and the healthcare sector nationwide.
Read more about the strategy and how it is transforming care in Santa Teresa.
Australian Digital Health Agency Annual Report 2024–25
The Australian Digital Health Agency has released its 2024–25 Annual Report, showcasing key achievements in digital health innovation, including progress on My Health Record, interoperability, and secure data sharing.
The report reflects the Agency’s commitment to transparency and its role in shaping Australia’s connected healthcare future. It’s a valuable read for stakeholders interested in national digital health strategy and performance. Access the full report here (PDF, 9.65 MB).
Project and program updates
Capability Action Plan (CAP) update
The Agency is partnering with multiple universities, research and educational institutions to build digital health capability of the future health and care workforce, aligned to the key priority actions in the National Digital Health Capability Action Plan (the CAP).
In partnership with La Trobe University, we are working to support the future nursing workforce by developing a digital health course for nursing and midwifery students. This course “Digital health foundations for nursing and midwifery: Competency preparation for placement” aligns with the National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework, ensuring nursing graduates are well-prepared to engage with digital systems like My Health Record, advocate for patients, and apply digital capabilities during placement and professional practice. The course includes interactive modules, real-world case studies, and practical activities, to help students develop the skills to navigate digital systems, uphold ethical standards, and contribute to improved patient outcomes. A pilot of the course with over 100 nursing students has just been completed and feedback was very positive. It found that the course was effective in highlighting the importance of digital health competency for nurses. Respondents demonstrated an increased understanding of the associated digital health capabilities, and enhanced confidence to engage with digital health in the clinical environment. A teacher resource has also been developed. These resources will be made available to all universities and pre-registration nursing students soon.
Interoperability highlights
Momentum continues to build across Australia’s healthcare landscape, under the National Healthcare Interoperability Plan 2023–2028, driving more connected, efficient, and patient-centred care.
The Agency has published the 9th Interoperability Plan quarterly progress report (July–September 2025). Over 64% of actions in the National Healthcare Interoperability Plan 2023–2028 are now complete, with all initiatives either finished or underway. For more information, see the Q1 July-September 2025 National Healthcare Interoperability Plan (PDF, 2.31 MB) and National Healthcare Identifiers Roadmap.
The national rollout of Healthcare Provider Identifiers – Individual (HPI-Is) is progressing, with growing support for the adoption of default templates for My Health Record (MHR) clinical document uploads. Four organisations – WA Health, St John of God, UnitingCare, and Healthscope - have transitioned to default templates for MHR uploads. Additional transitions are anticipated this financial year, with Ramsay Healthcare, NSW, NT, ACT, VIC, and St Vincent’s Health Australia expected to follow.
The Council for Connected Care continues to provide governance and strategic direction for the implementation of the Interoperability Plan. The theme of the November 2025 meeting was focused on “Transitions of Care”, exploring digital transformation, integration, and collaboration. Highlights included a site visit to Canberra Hospital, in-depth discussions on the ACT Health Transformation Project and MyDHR, updates on national digital health initiatives, and a lively debate on information sharing between community clinicians and hospitals. The day reflected a strong commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovation, partnership, and the seamless flow of information across Australia’s health system. For more information, see the Council for Connected Care page on the Agency website.
The National Healthcare Identifiers Roadmap (HI Roadmap) has already achieved early progress, with two activities completed and amendments to the Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010 passed by the Commonwealth Parliament through the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025. These developments mark important steps toward the Roadmap’s long-term goals. Of the 20 activities outlined in the Roadmap, 17 are currently underway, while the remaining three are scheduled to commence in the 2026–27 financial year. For more information, see the Q1 July-September 2025 National Healthcare Interoperability Plan and National Healthcare Identifiers Roadmap (PDF, 2.31 MB).
The Interoperability & Connections team with the support of the Agency’s Assessments team and Services Australia successfully supported four vendors to achieve production access to the HI Service throughout September and October. These vendors included: DoctorSquare Pty Ltd, eHealthWise Services Pty Ltd, Capstone IP, and American Beauty Labs Pty Ltd.
Similarly in the My Health Record space, five vendors achieved production access to the My Health Record System, including AU Medicos, Webstercare, BreastScreen Victoria, Dedalus DH Australia Pty Ltd and Venture Startups Pty Ltd. This was a result of collaborative efforts between the Interoperability & Connections team, Enterprise Operations, Partnerships and the Agency’s service delivery partners, Accenture and Deloitte.
Clinical governance
On 5 November, the Clinical Governance external team led by Chris Boyd-Skinner, Director, Clinical Governance, hosted the fifth meeting of the National Clinical Governance in Digital Health Community of Interest (COI). The COI brings together representatives from industry, health care and government to build knowledge and share expertise.
The keynote address, provided by Professor Elif Ekinci, Head of Department, Medicine, and Mariam Hachem, Clinical Trial Manager, University of Melbourne, outlined the clinical governance approaches to introducing a digital health tool in an Indigenous community.
Understanding that Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is highly prevalent within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the study explored the experiences of Indigenous Australians with T2DM using flash glucose monitoring (FGM). Flash glucose monitoring devices provide an alternative to finger pricking to test glucose levels. A sensor is inserted under the skin which measures the level of glucose in the body and sends data continuously to a compatible smartphone or smart device. Glucose readings can be tracked and shared in real time.
Mariam described a clinical governance framework that was followed to ensure research was conducted with respect for Indigenous peoples and communities. This included:
- fostering productive relationships with over 25 different health services around Australia to deliver the trial
- establishing an Aboriginal leadership team to drive the project
- working with an Indigenous researcher and artist to prepare a pre-study consent video, ensuring it was culturally safe and the information was delivered in a respectful and meaningful way.
You can learn more via the research paper: ‘Feasibility and acceptability of the use of flash glucose monitoring encountered by Indigenous Australians with type 2 diabetes mellitus: initial experiences from a pilot study’.
Membership to the National COI is open to anyone interested in furthering clinical governance in digital health and sharing their expertise and insights. Please email clinicalgovernance@digitalhealth.gov.au if you would like to learn more.
Healthcare Information Provider Service (HIPS) update
HIPS is the first product in Australia to facilitate the uploading of structured pathology reports to the My Health Record System.
South Australia Health is the first jurisdiction to us the HIPS Structured Pathology Adaptor (SPA) to do so and is already uploading approx. 2.6M records. West Australian Health will be the next jurisdiction anticipated to be uploading in the not too distant future.
HIPS SPA allows the creation and upload of Level 3A CDA Pathology Report documents. Integrators may supply a request to HIPS SPA comprising an HL7 v2 ORU^R01 pathology results message, including or accompanied by a PDF version of the report. HIPS SPA will create a Level 3A Pathology Report document from these inputs and upload this via the existing HIPS installation.
The adapter is designed to alleviate the burden of creating CDA documents from information sourced from local clinical information systems, and supports a number of the National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028 delivery roadmap priority areas.
Structured pathology reports allow clinicians to view human-readable reports that are both primarily unstructured or semi-structured data, while the CDA view offers a system-readable, structured format with a filterable summary.
Empowering Australia’s health tech workforce: Register now for FHIR training courses
The Australian Digital Health Agency, in proud partnership with HL7® Australia, is excited to offer a suite of FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) training courses designed to upskill the Australian health technology workforce and support the nation’s digital health transformation.
Developed and delivered jointly, these courses are tailored to support the Australian healthcare community in its implementation of FHIR.
Why register?
- Build future-ready skills in FHIR standards and implementation, increasingly sought after in digital health roles.
- Drive interoperability and contribute to a more connected, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare system across Australia.
- Ensure compliance with national digital health initiatives and standards, positioning yourself and your organisation for success.
- Earn CPD points, with the course endorsed by the Certified Health Informatician Australasia (CHIA) – supporting your professional development.
- Learn your way through a flexible, blended learning model:
- Self-paced e-learning modules
- Live training sessions led by FHIR experts
- Hands-on exercises and collaborative group activities to reinforce practical application
To ensure broad participation, the Agency is fully funding places in these courses, making them accessible to professionals across the sector regardless of location or budget.
Course overview
The training suite includes:
- Introductory modules for those new to FHIR
- Advanced modules for implementers and developers
- Practical guidance on integrating FHIR into real-world systems
- NEW: FHIR Fundamentals for Architects - a self-paced course tailored for architectural roles in digital health
Whether you are a developer, clinician, informatician, or policy maker, these courses are designed to meet your needs and help you contribute to a more interoperable and efficient healthcare system.
New Course Spotlight: FHIR Fundamentals for Architects
The newly launched FHIR Fundamentals for Architects course is a self-paced, 10-hour training designed for professionals such as solution architects, developers, informaticians, and healthcare IT implementers. Covering seven key topics, including FHIR origins, architectural frameworks, conformance, terminology, integration engines, and a SMART on FHIR case study. The course equips participants to understand and apply FHIR principles in enterprise health information systems. Learners will gain the ability to design scalable, interoperable architectures, leverage clinical terminologies, and customise FHIR resources to meet specific organisational or jurisdictional needs. Register for this new course.
Ready to upskill and make a difference?
Register now for FHIR training and secure your place in this transformative learning experience FHIR training courses
Introducing the new Digital Health Standards microsite: A centralised resource for Australia's interoperability journey
The Australian Digital Health Agency is proud to announce the launch of its newly designed Digital Health Standards microsite, a dedicated and dynamic web space created to support strategic engagement and drive the adoption and implementation of standards across the Australian healthcare system.
This new hub marks a significant step forward in enabling a more connected and interoperable healthcare environment. By centralising access to tools, resources, training, and engagement, the site empowers stakeholders, from developers and informaticians to clinicians and policy makers, with the information and support they need to implement standards effectively.
At the heart of this initiative is the recognition that standards are foundational to achieving seamless data exchange and better health outcomes. The site features core content structured for usability, with future enhancements planned to include the migration of key resources such as the Standards Catalogue, National Clinical Terminology Service (NCTS), and Procurement Guidelines, ensuring consistency and reducing fragmentation across platforms.
Visitors can also explore the National Standards Framework and provide feedback as part of the consultation process, access training and education opportunities from the Standards Academy, and stay informed about upcoming events and initiatives.
This is just the beginning. Throughout 2026, will continue to update and grow these pages, with regular new content to ensure we’re providing the most accurate, relevant, and useful information to support the sector and strengthen Australia’s digital health ecosystem.
Visit the site today: Digital health standards
Consultation opportunities
Digital Health Standards Catalogue
The Digital Health Standards Catalogue offers users streamlined access to and simple explanations for standards that support the ongoing digital transformation of the Australian healthcare sector.
Now that the Standards Catalogue has been used and available for over a year, the Agency is undertaking it’s first broad public consultation with the aim of improving curation, discoverability and overall user experience.
You can provide your feedback by completing our survey about the Standards Catalogue, the survey takes about 5-10 minutes. Your input is invaluable and will directly inform the strategic direction and future workplan for this important initiative.
Click here to complete the survey.
The survey is now open and will close on Friday, 12th December. For all enquiries relating to this consultation, please contact standards@digitalhealth.gov.au
Have your say - National Framework for Digital Health Standards
The Australian Digital Health Agency has released the National Framework for Digital Health Standards for public consultation – a major step toward a safer, more connected and interoperable health system.
Co-designed with governments, industry and healthcare partners, the Framework provides clear national direction for the adoption and implementation of digital health standards in Australia. Widespread and consistent implementation of standards provides the technical foundation needed for safe, secure, accurate and timely sharing of quality information between healthcare providers, healthcare services and consumers.
The Framework articulates the key areas to creating the foundational structure for supporting the adoption and implementation of digital health standards including governance, benefits, training and education, communication and engagement and implementation support. A defined review cycle will ensure the Framework remains contemporary and responsive to emerging technologies, sector feedback and innovation.
The Framework is open for public consultation from 10 November 2025 to 9 January 2026. Have your say.
Upcoming events
Join us at the FHIRside: Weekly drop-in sessions for FHIR developers and implementers across Australia.
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm AEDT
Are you learning about or working with FHIR standards and looking for a space to connect, ask questions, and share ideas in real time? Then take a seat by the FHIRside!
Launched by the Agency in partnership with HL7 Australia, FHIRside is a new weekly series of informal virtual-style drop-in sessions designed for anyone learning about or working with FHIR – developers, implementers and enthusiasts across government, jurisdictions, industry and the broader health sector community.
Whether you're troubleshooting a technical challenge or exploring new ideas, FHIRside offers:
- Real-time access to FHIR experts
- Peer-to-peer learning and support
- A safe, inclusive space to ask questions
- Cross-agency collaboration
- Community-led innovation
FHIRside complements existing platforms, development activities and formal training programs by offering a welcoming space for informal discussion, idea testing, and knowledge sharing.
The inaugural FHIRside session took place on 7 October 2025. These sessions will continue weekly on Tuesdays from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm AEDT (11:30 am to 12:30 pm AEST) until 2 December, and will resume in 2026 with dates to be confirmed. Block out your diary now by clicking here to download the full calendar series. Alternatively join the event directly every tuesday from 12:30pm – 1:30pm (AEDT).
Learning spotlight
Using My Health Record in allied healthcare
One way the Agency is working to equip allied health professionals with the appropriate support, tools and training to engage effectively with digitally enabled healthcare initiatives, is through the development of targeted eLearning resources. Our updated eLearning course Using My Health Record in allied healthcare is free and now available via our Online Learning Portal. The course highlights how using My Health Record can benefit those working in allied healthcare by providing access key health information anytime, anywhere – to improve clinical decisions and patient outcomes. We encourage all stakeholders to share this course across their networks.
Organisations interested in hosting the course on their own learning management system can contact education@digitalhealth.gov.au.
Did you know ...
A patient can register for a token management solution, called the Active Script List?
Did you know a patient can register for a token management solution, called the Active Script List?
This can be a practical solution for patients on multiple medications or for those who are concerned about losing their electronic prescription tokens.
See ‘What is an Active Script Lists (ASL)’ for more information.
Inside Digital Health
While Partnership Pulse keeps you up to date with our projects and programs, the Agency’s Inside Digital Health newsletter on LinkedIn takes a wider view. It’s all about innovations, global trends, and sector-wide updates, perfect for keeping up with the bigger digital health picture.