National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan Consultation

Overview

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) is developing a phased plan to uplift the digital capabilities of the allied health sector in partnership with the Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) and Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA).

This consultation supports the development of the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan (the Uplift Plan) which forms part of implementation of the National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028 and Delivery Roadmap and its vision of an inclusive, sustainable, and healthier future for all Australians through a connected and digitally enabled health system. The Uplift Plan also supports the Commonwealth’s Digital Health Blueprint and Action Plan 2023-2033, and vision which is centred on the use of digital and data to improve how health services are accessed, used and delivered to help consumers live healthier lives.

Stakeholder feedback is a critical component of the development process of the Uplift Plan. The consultation paper was derived through extensive research and consultation with key stakeholders, including the allied health sector and key government agencies. The consultation paper can be viewed in the related attachments below and outlines potential focus areas aligned with four key outcomes and includes examples of current and proposed initiatives to guide the development of an Action Plan.

While the Uplift Plan and associated Action Plan are being developed by the Commonwealth, in partnership with AHPA, we acknowledge that allied health providers work in a wide range of settings and sectors, including health, disability and aged care. For this reason we have tried to consider initiatives delivered  by federal, state and territory governments and agencies, peak bodies and organisations, healthcare organisations, allied health practitioners, technology and software vendors and education institutions.

We are seeking feedback from allied health professionals, peak bodies and professional associations, other health professionals, educators and training providers, technology and software vendors, service organisations who provide or support access to allied health care, consumers and carers and all levels of government on the consultation paper. This will ensure the final Uplift Plan is genuinely grounded in sector input, giving it the credibility and relevance it needs to support long-term digital transformation.

Why your views matter

The Department, the Agency, and AHPA are committed to supporting the allied health sector in delivering high-quality, person-centred care through digital health.

Your feedback is vital to ensuring the Uplift Plan reflects the real-world needs, challenges, and opportunities of the sector. By participating in this consultation, you will help:

• identify gaps and opportunities in the current digital landscape
• refine the proposed initiatives to ensure they are practical and effective
• shape the supports and resources needed to enable successful implementation.

We encourage you to focus your feedback on the content of the consultation paper (including the Action Plan). The final version will be professionally typeset and proofread, so comments on formatting or style are not required at this stage.

What happens next

Following input to the development of the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan, submissions will be reviewed, responses collated, and used to assist in further drafting and finalisation of both the Uplift Plan and associated Action Plan.