The COAG Health Council has green-lit My Health Record, the federal government's e-health record system.

The system automatically signs citizens up, though they are allowed to opt-out.

The plan is for all Australians will have a My Health Record by 2018, and by 2022 for all healthcare providers to be able to contribute to and use My Health Record information on behalf of their patients.

The digital platform should also allow cross-communication with other healthcare providers on the clinical status of shared patients.

The strategy document, Safe, seamless, and secure: Evolving health and care to meet the needs of modern Australia, says interoperability of clinical data is needed to improve the quality of healthcare.

But concerns have been raised about the fact that there is no overarching standard in place to govern the sharing of data.

A public consultation on draft interoperability should occur “by the end of 2018”, according to government documents.

“Base-level requirements for using digital technology when providing care in Australia will be agreed, with improvements in data quality and interoperability delivered through adoption of clinical terminologies, unique identifiers, and data standards,” the strategy papers state.

“By 2022, the first regions in Australia will showcase comprehensive interoperability across health service provision.”

The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) strategy says government are working to implement state-wide electronic medical records and achieve integration across the range of clinical information systems, but each state and territory is working within its own investment cycle and so is at a different point in achieving their respective goals.

“Australia was recently ranked number one in the world for its open data policies that create an environment for interoperability, and use of our data assets as a national resource,” the report explains.

“In Australia, meaningful progress has been made in establishing foundations for interoperability, including clinical terminologies and standards; however, adoption has been limited and a lack of interoperability remains a significant issue.”