Health technologies and digital health initiatives and programs

Signed by all Australian governments, the 2020–25 Addendum to National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) aims to improve health outcomes for all Australians and ensure our health system is sustainable.

The Better Access initiative gives Medicare rebates to help people access mental health professionals and care, regardless of where they live. Find out how the initiative works, who is eligible and how you can access supports.

The Enhanced Consumer Engagement Process is an opportunity to increase the patient and consumer voice earlier. This will inform how we assess submissions for the reimbursement of innovative medicines and consideration by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).

Electronic prescribing is now widely available. It provides an option for prescribers and their patients to use an electronic prescription as an alternative to paper prescriptions. Paper prescriptions are still available.

The Genomics Health Futures Mission is investing $500.1 million in genomic research. It will improve testing and diagnosis for many diseases, help personalise treatment options to better target and improve health outcomes, and reduce unnecessary interventions and health costs.

We are enhancing the Health Products Portal (HPP) to provide a single digital channel for industry to interact with us about regulated and reimbursed health-related products and services.

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Policy and Methods Review is an opportunity to ensure Australia’s HTA policy is constantly improving under evaluation.

We are making changes so you have better and faster access to pathology and diagnostic imaging reports in My Health Record. This will empower patients to participate in their healthcare and make it easier for healthcare providers to coordinate care and make clinical decisions.

The Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) is a nationally implemented system, designed to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of controlled medicines with the aim of reducing their misuse in Australia.

The Stoma Appliance Scheme provides free stoma appliances and products to people who have a stoma (ostomates). This helps them live their lives normally without added financial stress. Find out how the scheme works, how to access it and how to get a product on the schedule.