Better and Faster Access
Better and Faster Access: sharing by default reform
The Australian Government is implementing legislative reforms to ensure pathology and diagnostic imaging reports are shared by default in My Health Record, enhancing timely access for consumers and clinicians.
What clinicians need to know
Clinicians who request pathology and diagnostic imaging services should be aware of these changes to understand:- When reports will be available to patients.
- How this may affect clinical workflows.
- Steps to mitigate any potential clinical risks.
Better access
Introducing a legislative requirement for information to be shared with My Health Record by default, starting with pathology and diagnostic imaging reports. Pathology and diagnostic imaging providers will be the first healthcare providers required to share test results to My Health Record. These changes will ensure patients and their healthcare providers have better and faster access to key health information when and where it is needed.
Faster access
Faster access
Until recently, pathology and diagnostic imaging reports in My Health Record were not available for patients to view until seven (7) days after they were uploaded.
Most pathology reports (like blood and urine tests) are now available for consumers to view in My Health Record or the My Health App as soon as they are uploaded.
Moving forward, some results, including anatomical pathology, cytopathology, and genetic testing can be viewed after a five (5)-day delay – reduced from the previous seven (7)- day delay.
From February 2026:
- X-ray reports for limbs (arms and legs) will be available to view immediately after upload.
- Other imaging reports (CT scans, ultrasounds, mammograms, MRI, PET scans) will have a five (5)-day delay (previously seven (7) days).
Consumer controls
Patients can:
- set access controls in My Health Record to choose who can view their results
- remove or hide test results from their record
- ask providers to tick “Do not send to My Health Record” on request forms
- advise pathology or radiology staff not to upload results.