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What is My Health Record?

My Health Record (MHR) is an online record of your health history, including past and existing medical conditions, vaccinations and test results, such as sexually transmissible infection (STI) test results. MHR is run by the Australian Government, and can be accessed by any healthcare provider involved in your care. These providers may include: 

• Doctors, nurses, and admin staff at general practitioner (GP), specialist clinics or hospitals.
• Pharmacists at chemists (or pharmacies), or anywhere you get prescriptions filled.
• Allied health professionals like physiotherapists or occupational therapists.

Researchers can access information from My Health Record without asking you first. They can only access de-identified data (this means that your name is removed). However, it may still be possible to guess your identity. This is more likely for people who live in a small town, or belong to multiple minority groups.

Do I have a My Health Record?

You may have MHR and not realise. Unless you’ve already opted out, every person with a Medicare card also has MHR. Even if you don’t have Medicare, you may still have MHR so it’s a good idea to check if you have one. You can call the My Health Record helpline on 1800 723 471 if you are unsure whether you have one. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you do not have My Health Record, your reports and results will not be uploaded.

How do I access My Health Record?

You can link your MHR to your MyGov account, or log in to your MHR through either the ‘1800Medicare’ or ‘Health Direct’ app.

Updates to My Health Record

There are changes being made to how My Health Record works which may put your privacy at risk. These new changes mean that healthcare providers delivering pathology results (like STI tests) will have to upload results to your My Health Record unless you ask them not to. Healthcare providers may face penalties for not uploading these results. Previously, not all test reports were uploaded to My Health Record.

Changes from mid-October 2025:

• Most pathology reports (like blood and urine tests) will be available for you to view in My Health Record or MyHealth app as soon as they are uploaded.
• Some results, such as cervical screen tests, will be visible to you after 5 days, reduced from the previous 7 days.

Changes from February 2026:

• X-ray reports for limbs (arms and legs) will be available for you to view immediately after upload.
• Other x-rays and types of diagnostic imaging reports (like CT scans, mammograms, MRI and PET scans, and ultrasounds) will be viewable after 5 days, reduced from the previous 7-day delay.

Changes from July 2026:

• Labs must upload test results (including STI tests) to MHR unless you ask them not to. 

What do these changes look like in practice?

Everyone’s healthcare needs are different, but here’s one example of how these changes could affect someone navigating the healthcare system.

You might see one doctor for your general healthcare, such as a family GP you’ve known for years. You may not have disclosed all aspects of your life, work, or health history to that doctor. For sexual healthcare, you might choose to attend a sexual health clinic instead. This can help you access specialised care in a setting where you feel comfortable and supported.

From July 2026, if your STI test results are uploaded to My Health Record, your regular GP may be able to view them through the system. For some people, this may feel like a loss of privacy or control over who has access to sensitive health information. Understanding how MHR works, and what choices you have, can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare and privacy.

Protect your privacy: how do I control what is uploaded to My Health Record?

If you are concerned about who can access your MHR, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy by controlling who can see your information.

Tell the healthcare provider that you do not want your test results to be uploaded to My Health Record

You can request that your results are not uploaded to MHR by telling the person doing your test. For example, you can say “I do not give consent for my test results to be uploaded to My Health Record”. Healthcare providers must comply if a patient requests that information not be uploaded to MHR. Remember, test results will still be sent to the original healthcare provider who has requested them so they can give you the test results. Keep in mind that you will need to make this request every time you get tested.

Use the app to manage your privacy

You can log in to your MHR through either the ‘1800Medicare’ or ‘Health Direct’ app to manage your information. From there, you can delete or hide individual test results, hide your entire record, or even cancel your MHR completely.

Call the My Health Record helpline

The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

• The number is 1800 723 471. 
• If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450. 
• For hearing or speech assistance, contact the National Relay Service or call 1300 555 727.

What about Medicare records?

Even if your test results aren’t uploaded (or are restricted or removed), Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) records may still contain information about testing and medications. If you do not want Medicare/PBS information included on your MHR, you can manage or remove access through myGov, or call the My Health Record helpline on 1800 723 471.

Why might My Health Record be risky for sex workers?

My Health Record is an online summary of your health information. It lets you and your healthcare providers see your test results, medicines, and other health details in one place. This can make things easier, especially if you have ongoing or complex health needs.

However, My Health Record also has risks, especially for: 

• people living with STI/BBV
• LGBTQI+ people
• people living with stigmatised health conditions
• people who use drugs
• sex workers.

Many people in these communities use different clinics or doctors for different reasons — to keep things private and to avoid judgment or discrimination. Because My Health Record puts all your information together, it could reveal personal details that you don’t want everyone to see.

By default, My Health Record shares a lot of information with many healthcare providers. If you want to make your record more private, you need to change the settings yourself — either in the app or on the website.

There are also concerns about safety and privacy. Some groups, like people living with HIV, people who use drugs, or sex workers, could face extra risks if their information is shared or accessed by the wrong people. Even though there are privacy settings, there are still times when your record can be seen or shared by others, including people who aren’t doctors. This can increase the risk of discrimination, surveillance, or even criminal charges.

You can change the settings on the app or web portal to make your information more private, or cancel your record. Cancelling means your record becomes inaccessible to healthcare providers. Some data may still be securely retained by the system, but it will no longer be available to view or update.

I do not know what my result means – what should I do?

Your results will still be sent directly to your GP or other healthcare provider who requested the test. It is recommended that you discuss your results with your healthcare provider. They are the best person to provide advice, help you understand your results and support ongoing management of your health. You can visit the Pathology Tests Explained website to learn more about pathology tests.

Know your rights

You can see when healthcare organisations have accessed your record by logging in to My Health Record through your myGov account, or either the Medicare or Heathdirect app. There are strict rules about when healthcare organisations can access your My Health Record. If you believe someone has accessed your record inappropriately, you can make a complaint. Reach out to your local sex worker organisation, as they can support you through this process.

Where can I find more information about the changes to My Health Record?

You can find more detailed information and updates on the “Better and Faster Access” page of the Australian Digital Health Agency website.