1800MEDICARE app downloads pass 1 million in Australia
Mon, 11th May 2026 (Today)
Downloads of the 1800MEDICARE app have passed 1 million, the Australian Digital Health Agency says, pointing to strong consumer use of digital health information tools.
The app lets users access electronic prescriptions, view pathology and diagnostic test results, share immunisation records, and check parts of their medical history on a phone. It also includes tools to find and book health services, store emergency contacts, manage privacy and access settings, and view records as a nominated or authorised representative.
The milestone comes as the agency prepares for broader access to health information through changes to My Health Record. Under Share by Default legislation, healthcare providers will be required to upload pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record, increasing the volume of information available to patients.
The change is intended to give Australians faster access to pathology test results and diagnostic imaging reports, while making those records easier to share with clinicians. The agency says this should support more informed consultations between patients and healthcare providers.
Amanda Cattermole, the agency's chief executive, said the uptake reflected a clear shift in consumer expectations around access to personal health records.
“Australians want to be better informed and to have their key health information at their fingertips,” Cattermole said.
She said the app is being used across a range of common healthcare tasks.
“Whether you're accessing prescriptions, finding and booking a health service, or viewing pathology results, the app is enabling Australians to take control of their health,” she said.
The application was renamed 1800MEDICARE from my health earlier this year and has remained the agency's main consumer-facing mobile platform for access to My Health Record information and related Medicare-linked services.
Users can see medical history in one place, check information about medical and pharmaceutical services funded through Medicare, and review links to enrolment and claims. The app also allows people to store details about allergies and reactions, share vaccination records, and invite a trusted person to help manage their record.
The next set of changes will include notifications when new scan or test results are uploaded to My Health Record, moving the app closer to a real-time alert system for patients waiting on new information from providers.
Dr Amandeep Hansra, the agency's chief clinical adviser for medicine, said wider access to records can improve the quality of discussions in clinics and hospitals.
“We see more patients arriving at appointments informed, able to check medications, results, or discharge summaries through the app, which promotes continuity of care,” Hansra said.
The growth in downloads also reflects a broader push across the health system to move administrative and clinical information into digital channels. Governments and health agencies have argued that easier access to records can reduce duplication, help patients track treatment history, and improve communication across the system.
At the same time, expanding digital access places greater focus on privacy controls and on the accuracy and timeliness of uploaded data. The app includes settings that let users manage access to records and nominate representatives, an option the agency says is important for families, carers, and people who need help managing their health.
Peter O'Halloran, the agency's chief digital officer, said growth in use was likely to continue as the service added new functions.
“The goal is to make the 1800MEDICARE app indispensable for Australians managing their health, especially as new legislative requirements drive more comprehensive and timely data sharing.”