It is small change in the scheme of a $132 billion overall health and aged care budget for 2022-23, but the Medicare payments modernisation program, PHN-commissioned after hours programs and some additional funding for Healthdirect Australia’s national triage, assessment and referral service are the highlights for new digital health initiatives.

$107.2 million is going towards modernising the healthcare system as part of the government’s long term national health plan. This includes $72 million over four years to support phase three of the health delivery modernisation program to build a new platform for streamlining and digitising Medicare and aged care payments.