Australia health update
What do Australia’s proposed telehealth standards mean for patients?
By Patrick LeachPublisher: HerDoc
Australia’s proposed telehealth standards would set clearer expectations for safe virtual care, including whether phone or video is suitable, how results are followed up and who takes over when care moves between clinicians. They are a consultation draft, not new rules already in force. At your next appointment, agree who will follow up your care and how to contact them.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care opened public consultation on 3 November 2026. Feedback closes on 13 December 2026, with final standards planned for late 2027. The proposals span hospital, primary and community care, emergency care and commercial services delivering care virtually.
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Feeling heard—and knowing what happens next
Feeling heard matters when you’re discussing your health. So does leaving the appointment understanding what you and your doctor have agreed.
For women seeking help with concerns that affect daily life, that means having room to explain what’s happening, ask questions and talk through the options. A clear plan then connects that conversation to the next step—whether that’s trying an approach, arranging a test or seeing someone in person.
That’s the connection we want to make at HerDoc: being listened to, understanding your options and knowing what comes next. The proposed standards bring attention to the practical responsibilities that support that experience, including who follows up and how care continues between services.
Why the plan after the appointment matters
When care continues beyond an appointment, responsibility needs to be clear—especially when several services are involved.
The draft standards address this directly. They propose clear responsibilities and contact points when care is shared or transferred. They also cover making sure critical results are received, acknowledged and acted on, rather than simply sent. These are expectations for clinicians and services to organise care; asking questions helps you understand the plan, without making you responsible for managing their systems.
For example, if a doctor requests a blood test and refers you to a specialist, the plan should explain who reviews the result while you wait for the specialist appointment. A referral alone should not leave you guessing which doctor is following up.
What should be clear before you finish?
You can ask the doctor to talk through three practical questions:
- Who is following up each next step? This includes outstanding results, referrals and any review of treatment. If care is moving to another clinician, clarify who remains responsible until that handover happens.
- When should I expect contact, and whom can I contact if it does not happen? Agree a timeframe and a contact point, including what to do if you cannot arrange a recommended appointment in time.
- What changes mean I need care sooner? Ask which symptoms to look out for and which service to use rather than waiting for a planned review.
The Medical Board’s existing telehealth guidelines for doctors already address follow-up when needed, appropriate handover and keeping your usual GP informed with your consent when clinically warranted. You can discuss what information should reach your regular GP, especially after seeing someone new.
When does care need to move in person?
Whether phone or video is enough depends on the concern and the assessment. The Medical Board expects doctors to keep checking this during the consultation and arrange in-person care when necessary.
Ahpra reiterated in May 2026 that difficulty travelling does not automatically make telehealth the safest option. If an examination is needed, clarify where to go, how soon and what information the next clinician needs. For a life-threatening emergency, call 000 rather than waiting for telehealth or a routine follow-up.