Connecting Australia to a healthier future
The need for a connected healthcare system is greater than ever – one that’s accessible, progressive and secure.
Digital health has become a vital part of a modern, accessible healthcare system designed to meet the needs of all Australians.
What is in a My Health Record?
My Health Record is a secure online summary of key patient health information. Healthcare providers can access the system to view and add information. The benefits of using My Health Record include:
- provides immediate access to key health information
- facilitates the validation and verification of clinical information
- avoids adverse medication events, provides access to allergy information
- avoids duplication of tests and diagnostic imaging
- provides immunisation details, and
- improves continuity of care, informs end of life care.
Click here to learn more about what is in a My Health Record.
Better & Faster Access
Better Access – More Complete Information
Under the “Sharing by Default” reforms, key clinical documents, specifically pathology and diagnostic imaging reports , are uploaded to My Health Record as part of routine practice, unless a patient chooses otherwise.
This means:
- More consistent uploading of diagnostic reports
- Reduced information gaps between providers
- Improved visibility of results across primary care, hospitals, specialists and allied health
- Stronger continuity of care, especially for patients who access multiple services
- For clinicians, this supports safer, more informed decision-making and improves access to relevant results at the point of care.
Faster Access – Reduced Delays in Viewing Results
Previous settings applied time delays before pathology and imaging reports became visible to patients in My Health Record.
Under the reforms:
- Most pathology reports are now visible as soon as they are uploaded (see new test categories).
- Certain specialised tests may still have a 5-day delay
- Diagnostic imaging report delays have been reduced to 5-day delay.
Pathology launched in October 2025 and Diagnostic Imaging changes came into effect in March 2026. This means patients may access and review their results sooner.
What this means for practice workflows
- Be prepared for patients to view results shortly after upload
- Support timely follow-up and communication where clinically appropriate
- Continue to provide context and interpretation of results
- Review internal processes to ensure uploads to My Health Record are configured and functioning correctly
Privacy and Security
Under the My Health Records Act, staff members authorised by a healthcare organisation can access and view a patient’s record for the purpose of providing healthcare, and provided it is in accordance with any access controls. In addition to clinicians, a healthcare organisation may authorise other staff to access the system as part of their role in healthcare delivery.
Further information can be found here.
Introduction to My Health Record
Privacy and My Health Record Assessments
What information can I view in My Health Record?
My Health Record for carers
Talk to your patients about My Health Record
Discuss how My Health Record is a safe and secure place to keep their key health information, available to them and their healthcare providers anytime, including in an emergency.
In particular, this will help people who have complex health conditions, young families, or those who see several healthcare providers.
The benefits for them include:
- prompt access to key health information in an emergency
- secure, convenient access to health information
- safer, faster more efficient care
- less need to remember key aspects of their medical history and medications
- improved management of health information, and
- informed self-management of health conditions.
Find out how to view and upload information to your patient’s My Health Record.
My Health Record set up for patients
Most people in Australia already have a My Health Record. However, if you have a patient who would like assistance with registering for the first time, your organisation may be able to assist them to register for a My Health Record.
Your patients need to use their myGov account to link to their My Health Record. They can visit my.gov.au to access their myGov account. Extra support is available at Your My Health Record.
They can visit my.gov.au to access their myGov account; if they need extra support, they can visit Your MyHealth Record or call our Help line on 1800 723 471.
Helpful information is available on the My Health Record website to help people access and use their My Health Record for the first time including setting extra privacy controls and personal preferences.
Find out how to view and upload information to your patient’s My Health Record.
Learn more
To help you on your journey to learn more about My Health Record the Australian Digital Health Agency has created this recommended training list in PDF format for you.
