Thursday, 10 September 2026
Graduate registration-fee deferral trial, Health data reforms to 2031, My Health Record upload extensions
- 01
AHPRA to trial registration-fee deferral for medical graduates
AHPRA will pilot a registration-fee deferral option for Australian and New Zealand medical school graduates applying for provisional registration for the first time. From 9 October 2026 to 4 January 2027, eligible graduates who request deferral before applying will pay the $332 application fee upfront but have until 31 March 2027 to pay the $543 registration fee. AHPRA said the pilot responded to financial difficulties graduates can experience while moving from study into the workforce. The trial will assess demand, implementation requirements and system impacts, informing possible flexible payment options for other professions. The RACGP welcomed the measure as easing some financial pressure on medical students.
via RACGP newsGP
- 02
Health ministers set 2031 timetable for digital and data reforms
Governments will initially target greater uptake of discharge summaries and Healthcare Identifiers under the health ministers’ endorsed 2026–31 National Health Reform Strategy. Roadmaps will be developed and implemented between 2026–27 and 2028–29 to support smoother transitions between public hospitals and other care settings. A National Health Data System Governance Framework for authorised data sharing is expected to be developed during 2027–28 and 2028–29, followed by design and development of a National Health Data System in 2029–30 and 2030–31. The strategy also provides for later adoption of unspecified digital enablers, but gives no detailed implementation targets for them. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is required to develop a Health System Performance Assessment Framework and produce its first annual reports by June 2027.
- 03
341 providers seek extensions to My Health Record upload rules
Following the previously reported surge in clinician views of My Health Record diagnostic reports, 341 health organisations have applied for more time to implement default uploads of pathology and diagnostic imaging results. The requirements took effect on 1 July and are designed to make reports immediately visible to patients through my.gov.au or the 1800MEDICARE app. The Australian Digital Health Agency register spans radiology and imaging companies, fertility clinics and local hospitals, and includes organisations granted extensions and those with applications under consideration. The agency said some listed organisations may upload some but not all reports, while RACGP expert committee deputy chair Dr Steven Kaye reported substantial variation between hospital departments and criticised public hospitals that were unable to comply.
via RACGP newsGP
- 04
Women’s mental healthcare remains fragmented despite high distress
One in two Australian women experienced mental health issues in 2026 and almost one in four experienced severe psychological distress, according to survey responses from 9000 cisgender, transgender and gender-diverse women. Women with female-specific physical health conditions reported significantly greater psychological distress than those without. Help-seeking rose from 57% in 2025 to 66% in 2026, but the proportion seeking GP support fell from 74% to 49%, with cost the most commonly reported barrier. Half described GP visits as very helpful, while 23% of those who did not find help useful reported insufficient services tailored specifically to women. The Women’s Mental Health Australia report recommended integrated physical and mental healthcare, stronger gender-responsive capability across the health workforce and a nationally accessible, fully funded telehealth pathway through Medicare Mental Health.
via RACGP newsGP
- 05
Bill seeks safeguards for automated Commonwealth service decisions
A new private member’s bill would mandate transparency, human oversight and review rights for automated decisions across Commonwealth departments and agencies. Introduced by independent MP Kate Chaney and seconded by Dr Monique Ryan, it would implement two Robodebt Royal Commission recommendations and require human oversight and override for high-risk decisions. The proposal covers expanding automation in aged care, the NDIS, social payments, immigration and environmental approvals. Ms Chaney said an automated aged care tool had determined support packages without human decision-makers being able to override results they believed were incorrect. Aged care and disability organisations backed safeguards enabling people to understand, challenge and obtain human review of automated decisions.
- 06
Thirty GPs elected unopposed to RACGP Faculty Councils
Thirty GPs have been elected unopposed in the 2026 RACGP Faculty Council elections, while voting continues for contested positions. The uncontested positions span the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, GPs in Training, NSW and ACT, Northern Territory, Rural, Specific Interests and Tasmania faculties. Dr Rodney Omond begins his 15th year on the Rural Faculty Council, which will advocate for recognition and appropriate remuneration of non-procedural Rural Generalists. Voting closes at 12.00 pm AEST on Thursday 17 September, with successful candidates to be announced on Friday 18 September.
via RACGP newsGP
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.