Sharing pathology and diagnostic imaging reports by default
Information for primary healthcare providers
The Australian Government is making changes to provide better and faster access to pathology and diagnostic imaging reports in My Health Record. These reforms respond to recommendations from the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce and aim to give people and their healthcare teams more timely access to key information to support safer, more connected care.
What has changed?
The Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default) Act 2025 (link to act: Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default) Act 2025 – Federal Register of Legislation) was passed into law in February 2025 and provides a framework for key health information to be shared to My Health Record by default.
What is the impact?
There are two key impacts at this point in time.
- Faster Access:
Most pathology reports (like blood and urine tests) are available for consumers to view in their My Health Record or the 1800MEDICARE app as soon as they are uploaded. From March 2026, a number of diagnostic reports and pathology results that were previous only viewable after a 7-day delay, will be viewable by patients after a 5-day delay. These include:- anatomical pathology, cytopathology and genetic testing results
- other x-rays and types of diagnostic imaging reports (like CT scans, mammograms, MRI and PET scans, and ultrasounds) will be viewable after 5 days, reduced from the previous 7-day delay.
- Better Access:
Pathology and diagnostic imaging providers will be the first healthcare providers required to share test results to My Health Record. These changes come into effect July 2026, and will ensure patients and their healthcare providers have better and faster access to key health information when and where it is needed.
In the future, if the Minister decides that additional health information should be shared with My Health Record by default, other healthcare providers may be affected by this change. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will undertake further consultation prior to introducing additional requirements.
Healthcare providers can continue to access pathology and diagnostic imaging results in My Health Record as soon as they are uploaded.
Are there any exceptions to the new Share by Default requirements?
Under the legislation, there are certain circumstances when information does not need to be uploaded to My Health Record by default and the rules specify that sharing is optional for:
- pathology and diagnostic imaging reports that are generated for the purpose of workplace drug or alcohol testing, court ordered testing or law enforcement
- pathology testing that relates solely to research and clinical trials (where the pathology reports are not otherwise provided to the patient or their healthcare providers).
What do I need to do?
For healthcare providers there are no additional requirements at this time; however, it is important to be mindful that patients may choose to access their results in My Health Record. In some cases, patients may view their results before they return for a follow-up appointment.
What else do I need to know?
Both the Australian Digital Health Agency and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have information that is also suitable for sharing with patients