With commencement of the Share by Default upload requirements on 1 July approaching, the Australian Digital Health Agency is sharing information and resources to help healthcare providers understand the upcoming changes.
From 1 July, most written pathology and diagnostic imaging reports authored by (or on behalf of) a pathologist or radiologist will be uploaded to My Health Record by default. The requirement does not include diagnostic images.
These changes will help ensure patients and healthcare providers can access important health information through My Health Record, supporting more connected and informed care.
What this means for healthcare providers:
- more pathology and diagnostic imaging reports will be available in My Health Record
- healthcare providers can continue to access reports through their existing clinical systems and workflows where available
- My Health Record can provide 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 before a follow-up consultation occurs
- 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 follow-up arrangements
- guidance resources are available to support conversations about understanding and interpreting results.
There are circumstances where a report may not be uploaded to My Health Record, because an exception applies.
This could apply where a consumer does not have a My Health Record; a consumer or their representative requests certain reports are not uploaded; a healthcare provider reasonably believes a report should not be shared because of a serious concern for the health, safety or wellbeing of the individual; or circumstances outside a healthcare provider’s control prevent upload (such as an unforeseen technical or system issue).
The organisation subject to the upload requirement must retain evidence of the exception for two years from the date the health service was provided.
Additional reasons a report may not be uploaded include where an extension of time to comply has been applied for, preserved privacy laws apply, or the type of report is not required to be uploaded.
Access information and resources
Read guide for requesting providers
This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.