Australia's AI policy milestone reshapes health governance

Australia's AI policy milestone places governance front and centre as Commonwealth agencies publish adoption plans and outline December controls.

AI Governance

The policy requires all in-scope Commonwealth agencies to publish a strategic position on AI adoption, detailing where benefits lie and how the technology will be used. A six month runway runs to December, after which formal controls begin: inventories of AI usage, named accountable owners, mandatory impact assessments and compulsory AI training for staff. For health systems, this shifts risk management toward proactive oversight and explicit accountability, creating a benchmark for vendors and provider organisations.

R&D Tax Risk

AusBiotech surveyed 59 biotech, medtech and health tech firms about proposed Budget changes to the R&D Tax Incentive. Seventy-six per cent expect the changes to be meaningful, with thirty firms warning the impact could be significant, including potential offshoring of trials. Firms aged six to fifteen years are most exposed, and a majority of older biotech players foresee meaningful effects, underscoring a systemic policy risk for Australia’s health tech ecosystem.

Obesity Access

As GLP-1 therapies become more widely used, policy researchers urge modernising Chronic Condition Management Plans to improve obesity care access. More than half a million Australians are already on GLP-1s, and Wegovy looks likely to list on the PBS after a late-2025 PBAC recommendation for patients with BMI 35 or higher and cardiovascular disease. Current CCMP caps five allied health services annually and relies on in-person or real-time telehealth, which limits reach; flexibility is requested to expand wraparound care.

ADHD Training

Victoria will roll out ADHD training for 150 GPs from September, backed by 750k in funding. The program enables diagnosis, treatment and prescription of ADHD in adults and children six and up, aiming to shorten wait times and reduce upfront costs. It is built through RACGP Victoria collaboration with psychiatrists and paediatricians, but questions remain about whether the initial cohort will relieve specialist bottlenecks quickly enough or shift demand appropriately.