5 February 2026 - Top Stories

Australian health tech is moving toward standardised analytics, with SQL on FHIR 2.1 slated for a March release. The initiative standardises how FHIR data is flattened and queried, enabling direct connections to existing BI tools through portable view definitions. Practically, organisations can author a single set of views and run them across systems, cutting repetitive data engineering and speeding insights.

In education and workforce health, Phio has rolled out its digital musculoskeletal platform to more than 12,000 teachers across 147 Sydney Catholic Schools. The programme aims for early MSD identification and tailored care, positioning the solution as a scalable, cost-conscious model for workplace health that could translate to broader Australian education and public sectors where MSD burden is high and costs are substantial.

Victoria is piloting one-off ADHD prescription refills through the Virtual Emergency Department, including Schedule 8 stimulants, from September to reduce delays and expand access. The plan accompanies moves allowing GPs to diagnose and prescribe ADHD under standard pathways, reflecting a broader shift toward digital access while emphasising safeguards to maintain safety and continuity of care.

Australian regulators and advocacy groups are pressing for tighter oversight of GLP-1 weight loss medicines prescribed via telehealth. Online clinics operating outside traditional funding schemes have driven much of the current prescribing, prompting calls for interoperable care pathways, stronger data standards and practitioner accountability to protect patient safety as use expands.

New guidance on long-acting reversible contraception clarifies who can access Medicare rebates. Endorsed midwives with substantial clinical hours can rebate contraception-related LARC care (including postpartum visits within eight weeks), but rebates should not apply to non-contraception procedures such as heavy menstrual bleeding. The change will influence billing workflows, workforce training and service delivery in clinical settings.

Meanwhile, a private sector survey highlights ongoing price transparency challenges in Australia’s funding landscape. About 30% of Australians faced admin or booking fees from non-GP specialists, with some patients paying upfront deposits up to A$1,000. The findings are driving calls for clearer pricing tools and referral platforms to shield patients from unexpected out-of-pocket costs.