The My Health Record system is the Australian Government’s digital health record system that holds My Health Records. It was previously known as a Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) or eHealth record.
A My Health Record is an online summary of an individual’s health information. It allows doctors, hospitals and certain other healthcare providers (such as a physiotherapist) involved in the individual's care to view their health information. An individual can also access their My Health Record online.
The My Health Records Act 2012, My Health Records Rule 2016 and My Health Records Regulation 2012 create the legislative framework for the My Health Record system.
The My Health Records Act limits when and how health information included in a My Health Record can be collected, used and disclosed. Unauthorised collection, use or disclosure of My Health Record information is both a breach of the My Health Records Act and an interference with privacy.
The My Health Records (Information Commissioner Enforcement Powers) Guidelines 2016 outline the Commissioner’s approach to enforcement under the My Health Record system, and are available on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Related pages
Guide to mandatory data breach notification in the My Health Records system
For an entity covered by the My Health Records Act data breach provisions
My Health Record (for organisations and government agencies)
Handling patient information and reporting data breaches
My Health Record (for individuals)
What is is and how to manage and protect it
