Edition 1

Welcome to our first edition! We look forward to bringing you new and useful digital health updates relevant to the allied health sector.

Preparing allied health for a connected care future

Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) is pleased to introduce the AHPA Digital Health Connection Project (the Connection Project), delivered in collaboration with the Australian Digital Health Agency.

This national initiative is focused on supporting allied health professionals and organisations to strengthen their digital capability and make better use of the digital health tools that underpin safe, connected care. The project aligns with the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan, released in December last year, and contributes to a coordinated, whole-of-sector approach to improving digital maturity across allied health.

The Connection Project will provide practical, allied health-specific support to build confidence and guide connection to core elements of the national digital health infrastructure, including Healthcare Identifiers, My Health Record, Provider Connect Australia, electronic prescribing, cyber security awareness and selecting fit-for-purpose clinical information systems.

Facilitating faster access to pathology and imaging reports

The Modernising My Health Record (Sharing by Default) Act 2025 introduces a new framework to ensure key health information is routinely shared to My Health Record by healthcare provider organisations.

In simple terms, “sharing by default” means certain clinical documents must be uploaded to My Health Record in a timely way once they are generated.

The aim is to:

• Reduce duplication of tests

• Support consumers to access their own health information

• Ensure health professionals have the information they need to provide safe, coordinated care

• Increase the practical value of using My Health Record in everyday practice

What’s changing first?

The initiative is initially being applied to pathology and diagnostic imaging reports.

Changes made from mid-October 2025:

• Most pathology results will be visible to consumers as soon as they are uploaded to My Health Record.

• For certain categories including anatomical pathology, cytopathology and genetic tests, results will be visible 5 days after upload.

• A link to Pathology Tests Explained will be available within My Health Record to help consumers better understand their results.

Changes made from February 2026:

• X-ray reports for limbs will be visible to consumers immediately after upload.

• Other diagnostic imaging reports will be visible 5 days after upload.

Why this matters for allied health?

As more reports become available via My Health Record, allied health professionals will likely experience:

• Faster access to information to inform care delivery

• Reduced need to repeat investigations

• Increased expectations from consumers to address results 

Depending on your job role and organisation structure, you may already be needing to comply with uploading imaging reports to My Health Record. Additional document types may be mandated for uploading in the future, potentially including chronic condition management plans.

Now is the time to ensure your clinical information system and workflows align with national digital health requirements so your organisation can both comply with upcoming changes and benefit from improved information sharing as they are implemented.

You can learn more about how these changes may apply to your organisation via the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Upcoming webinar: Digital connection in allied health practice

Allied health professionals are increasingly expected to demonstrate capability in digital documentation, secure information sharing and data security.

This national webinar explores how digital health tools can benefit everyday practice and why allied health professionals need to act now.

Featuring:

• Chief Allied Health Officer Anita Hobson-Powell, outlining why digital connection is becoming essential across the health system

• Accredited Hand Therapist Chen Li, sharing real-world clinical experience of using national digital health tools

• AHPA CEO Bronwyn Morris-Donovan and Digital Health Program Manager Jackie O’Connor, providing sector context and practical support pathways.

Need Help Connecting? Free Digital Adoption Support Is Available

The Australian Digital Health Agency offers free, one-to-one digital adoption support by phone and email for allied health professionals.

If you’re unsure where to start, or need help completing the required steps, their team can guide you through:

• Connecting to My Health Record

• Registering for and using Provider Connect Australia

• Setting up your HPI-I and HPI-O

• Linking identifiers correctly within your organisation

• Navigating other national digital health products

Available:
Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5pm AEST
Phone: 02 6223 0741 
Email: digitaladoptionsupport@digitalhealth.gov.au

You can review topic-specific education materials in the AHPA Digital Health Hub first, then contact the team for guided implementation support if needed.