Welcome to the 7th Edition of Partnership Pulse, the Agency’s stakeholder newsletter, designed to keep you informed and connected with key initiatives, projects and engagement opportunities. Each edition shares updates on major programs and initiatives, as well as recent media releases and Agency news, highlights from project and program areas, opportunities to contribute through consultations, surveys, upcoming events, and learning resources to support digital health knowledge.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you’d like to receive future editions, you can subscribe to the mailing list.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support a more connected digital health system for all Australians.
Agency Spotlight
Share by Default requirements now in effect
Australians and their healthcare providers are now empowered with greater access to health information, with Share by Default legislative requirements taking effect 1 July 2026.
While we have already seen a significant increase in the uploading of pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record prior to the Share by Default legislation taking effect, these reports now must be shared with My Health Record, except in certain circumstances. This enhances Australians' access to key health information, streamlining timely availability and supporting continuity of care.
Under the requirements, pathology and imaging reports authored by (or on behalf of) a pathologist or radiologist must be uploaded to My Health Record by default, unless an exception applies or an extension of time has been granted. The requirement does not include images.
The changes support improved access to health information for consumers and healthcare providers helping to make information available when and where it is needed to support care.
What this means
- More pathology and diagnostic imaging reports are now available in My Health Record.
- Healthcare providers can continue to access reports through their existing clinical systems and workflows.
- My Health Record provides access to reports uploaded by other pathology and diagnostic imaging providers involved in a patient’s care, supporting continuity of care across healthcare settings.
- Patients may choose to access some pathology and diagnostic imaging reports through My Health Record, which supports a more interactive follow-up consultation.
- At the time when pathology and diagnostic imaging services are requested, providers may wish to have a discussion with their patients regarding report availability and confirm follow-up arrangements.
- Guidance resources are available for patients to support conversations about understanding and interpreting results.
Patient access
Processing times vary for different pathology tests and diagnostic imaging studies. Sometimes it can take days or weeks for a report to be finalised, depending on the nature of the test. This can affect when the report is available in My Health Record.
Once a report is finalised, it will generally be uploaded to My Health Record within 24 hours of being shared with the requesting provider, unless an exception applies.
What’s next for Share by Default
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, in partnership with the Agency, recently undertook consultation to shape the development of new Share by Default requirements focused on online prescribing services.
This includes consultation about the introduction of requirements for online prescribing services to share prescribed and dispensed medicines information to My Health Record by default. Medicines information shared to My Health Record would then be available to people and their healthcare providers, subject to existing privacy protections and individual controls.
Feedback received through the consultation process will help inform future policy considerations. Further information is available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Learn more
For healthcare providers:
- Understanding better access to health information in My Health Record
- Guide for requesting providers
- Guide for providers that undertake pathology and diagnostic imaging services
- Applying for an extension of time to comply
- Resources for your patients: Consumer fact sheet
For consumers:
- Understanding better and faster access to health information in My Health Record
- Your questions answered: Fact sheet for healthcare consumers
- 1800MEDICARE app for convenient access to your health information, wherever you are.
For more information, visit digitalhealth.gov.au or email help@digitalhealth.gov.au.
The National Clinical Terminology Service (NCTS) is a cloud-based software that standardises medical language, facilitating seamless communication between medical practice management systems and pharmacy management systems.
NCTS delivers state of the art terminology services that promote adoption of national clinical terminologies in electronic health and medical records in Australia. Take a look at how NCTS drives the adoption of increased healthcare communication, ensuring enhanced continuity of care nationwide.
To learn more visit: National Clinical Terminology Service.
Highlights
Education update
The Agency’s Education team produces a range of free online eLearning resources to support digital health learning for everyone.
To support the national 1800MEDICARE campaign, the team have released 5 new 1800MEDICARE app short courses.
The courses cover:
- Getting started with the 1800MEDICARE app
- Exploring the 1800MEDICARE app home screen
- Privacy and access settings in the 1800MEDICARE app
- Using electronic prescriptions with the 1800MEDICARE app
- Using Active Script list with the 1800MEDICARE app
The 1800MEDICARE app allows you to access key health information, seek trusted advice and connect with care, all from the palm of your hand.
To access these and other digital health eLearning modules for individuals, healthcare providers, students and educators, visit the Agency’s online learning portal.
You can also find more information about the 1800MEDICARE app on the Agency's website.
Supporting healthcare providers with new Healthcare Identifiers education resources
Partners can now access the Digital Health Foundation Series resources designed to support consistent understanding and correct use of Healthcare Identifiers (HI) and the HI Service across the health and care system.
The Digital Health Foundation Series features short, practical videos that guide providers through connecting to the HI Service and registering for key national digital health systems.
These resources make it easier for partners, educators and vendors to guide members, customers and stakeholders with clear and consistent information.
Revisit the resources and continue sharing them through partner channels, training programs and stakeholder communications.
Health Connect Australia Provider Directory – FHIR® Implementation Guide Now Available
The transition of the Healthcare Provider Directory (HPD) from Services Australia to the Agency continues to progress, building on the strong foundations already in place and advancing delivery of the Health Connect Australia Provider Directory.
As part of the transition, the Health Connect Australia Provider Directory will move to FHIR® based APIs, to provide improved search and discovery functionality and support modern, secure system to system integration across the healthcare ecosystem. Existing HPD SOAP APIs are planned for future retirement (date to be confirmed), including:
- TECH.SIS.HI.17 – Search for Individual Provider Directory Entry
- TECH.SIS.HI.18 – Search for Organisation Provider Directory Entry
The Agency is targeting becoming the HPD Operator by the end of January 2027, with transition activities continuing to support a smooth and orderly handover.
FHIR Implementation Guide now available
A key milestone has been reached with the release of the Health Connect Australia Provider Directory FHIR Implementation Guide (IG).
The FHIR IG provides clear technical guidance for software vendors and integration partners to connect to the national provider directory using modern, standards based FHIR APIs. This supports the planned move away from SOAP APIs and enables secure, automated access to verified healthcare provider information.
The availability of the FHIR IG allows vendors to commence planning and readiness activities, supporting a smooth and orderly transition to the new Health Connect Australia Provider Directory.
Transition approach and engagement focus
As part of this phase, a transition assessment of impacted people and engagement groups is underway to ensure roles, responsibilities, and support arrangements are clearly understood and appropriately managed.
What this means for you
You are encouraged to review the FHIR Implementation Guide and begin thinking about readiness, adoption and migration planning.
If you have questions about the FHIR IG or the HPD transition, please reach out to the Health Connect Australia team at HealthConnect@digitalhealth.gov.au
Further updates will continue to be shared as the transition progresses and additional milestones are reached.
Opportunities to contribute
The 2026 Real Time Prescription Monitoring survey is coming
The Agency is continuing to support the enhancement of the Real Time Prescription Monitoring system. In particular, this work has focused on enabling system access by a broader cohort of clinicians, starting with Designated Registered Nurse Prescribers, as well as a pilot group of paramedics in Victoria.
In the meantime, we are keen to better understand the views of health practitioners who currently use their local version of the RTPM system (e.g. SafeScript, QScript, TasScript) when prescribing or dispensing medications.
Therefore, the Agency will be releasing the latest edition of the Real Time Prescription Monitoring Clinical Safety Survey on Tuesday 14 July 2026, and it will remain open until Friday 18 September 2026.
A link will also be circulated to users via peak bodies, social media, and in the next edition of Partnership Pulse. The feedback received will inform ongoing management and improvement of the system. Keep your eyes open for the survey, and if you can please put aside 15 minutes to share your thoughts with us.
Upcoming events
FHIRside Webinar - FHIR Specifications and Implementation Guides
Date: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Time: 12:30pm - 1:00pm AEST
FHIRside webinars are structured, topic-driven sessions designed to strengthen understanding and confidence in FHIR® implementation and governance. FHIRside Webinars go beyond conversation. A monthly webinar series featuring leading speakers taking the FHIR community on a deeper dive into all things FHIR with a program of scheduled topics held throughout the year.
Our July FHIRside Webinar will be presented by FHIR aficionado and subject matter expert, Brett Esler.
FHIR has quickly become the data standard of choice however, navigating specifications and understanding implementation guides (IG) can be complex and overwhelming.
Register now: Connected Care industry update
Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm AEST (check-in from 9:30am)
Venue: Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be served
The Agency invites software developers and members of the healthcare industry to attend a Connected Care update on Wednesday, 5 August 2026 in Sydney.
This event will provide an overview of the Connected Care roadmap, including upcoming priorities and key milestones, and what they mean for industry and implementation partners.
The Agency will also outline what software developers and healthcare organisations need to do to prepare, align, and support delivery. By attending this in-person event you will hear about what’s coming next and how we can work collaboratively to support a more connected digital health system for all Australians.
Registrations close at 5pm (AEST) on Friday 24 July 2026.
Register for the Connected Care Update.
Attendance is restricted to registered participants. The event will be recorded and published on the Agency's website after the event takes place.
Health Sector Town Hall 2026
Date: Thursday, 6 August 2026
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am AEST
Maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture is essential for Australia’s health sector. Registrations are now open for this important online webinar.
The National Office of Cyber Security is hosting a national virtual webinar for the Health Sector with representatives from the Department of Health, Disability and Aging, the Agency, Health Cyber Sharing Network (CI-ISAC Australia) and industry representatives. Join us for a session to:
- Stay ahead of emerging threats: Hear the latest cyber threat briefing from CI-ISAC’s Health Cyber Sharing Network, tailored specifically to Australia’s health sector.
- Learn from real-world incidents: Gain practical insights through industry case studies and a debrief from organisations that have recently managed cyber incidents.
- Strengthen sector-wide resilience: Connect with government and industry leaders to learn about current initiatives, the Health Cyber Sharing Network, and ongoing national cyber security efforts.
Speakers include:
- National Cyber Security Coordinator LTGEN Michelle McGuiness
- Luke Johnson, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Health, Disability and Aging
- Danielle Pentony, Chief Information Security Officer, Australian Digital Health Agency
- Dr Huon Curtis, Health Cyber Sharing Network (CI-ISAC Australia)
Register for the Health Sector Town Hall 2026 via Humanitix.
MS Teams link to be provided to registered attendees 5 business days prior to the webinar.
SNOMED CT EXPO 2026
Early registrations are now open!
Secure your spot and join the global SNOMED CT community this October. Take advantage of group rates for your organisation, and stay tuned for more details on speakers and keynotes over the coming weeks. Register now.
Learning Spotlight
Factsheets and flyers
Looking for a factsheet or flyer to support digital health adoption? The Agency has a range of resources available via the Agency's online learning portal.
Resources for consumers include brochures and factsheets about better and faster access to pathology and radiology reports in My Health Record, the 1800MEDICARE app, electronic prescriptions and more.
Resources for healthcare providers include the newly updated My Health Record organisation registration checklist, a factsheet on setting up access to the National Provider Portal and one on the My Health Record emergency access function.
Also available are a range of resources from our stakeholders including My Health Record storybooks, easy read resources, LGBTIQ+ factsheets and plain language videos.
Organisations interested in hosting Agency courses on their own learning management system can contact engagement@digitalhealth.gov.au.
Did you know ...
You can control who can access your My Health Record?
My Health Record is a safe and secure system, and you are in control of it. You can manage your important information, control who has access to it, and see what has been accessed.
You can choose who can view your record and documents, give access to people you trust, or have an authorised representative manage your record if needed. There are also people, processes, technologies and legislation in place to help keep the system safe and secure.
For more information, visit the Privacy and access page on our website or explore our online learning modules to learn more about privacy and access settings in My Health Record.
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.