Most Australians have experienced it at some point. You see a new GP, visit an emergency department, or support an ageing parent through multiple care services - and you're asked the same questions on repeat.
What medications are you on? What allergies do you have? What happened last time?
Behind these everyday healthcare interactions is a simple expectation: that the health system should already know your medical history.
This expectation sits at the heart of what digital health experts call interoperability.
In plain terms, interoperability is about healthcare systems exchanging information accurately, securely and in ways that make sense, no matter where care is delivered.
When it works well, information follows the patient across their lifetime.
Test results don't need repeating, medication lists are up to date, and clinicians have the information they need to make timely decisions - whether someone is seeing their local GP, a specialist, or transitioning between hospital and community care.
Dr David Hansen, CEO and Research Director of CSIRO's Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC), said that when healthcare information moves smoothly between services, it feels invisible, and that's exactly how it should be.
"But when systems can't connect, people feel it immediately through delays, duplication and added stress," said Dr Hansen.
When systems don't talk, people notice
When systems don't 'talk' to one another, people are asked to repeat their story, important information can be hard to find, and care can slow down.
"These moments are more than minor inconveniences. They can be particularly taxing -or even life threatening - for people managing chronic conditions, navigating complex care, or supporting others," explained Dr Hansen.
Disconnected systems also affect those delivering care. Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals can waste valuable time searching for information across multiple systems, re-entering data or working around gaps.
"This administrative burden reduces time with patients and contributes to workforce pressure across the healthcare system. Clinicians want to focus on caring for people, not chasing information," said Dr Hansen.
"Making systems work better together helps free up time and supports safer, more effective care."
The unseen systems that make care feel connected
Interoperability isn't a single piece of technology. It's made up of many behind-the-scenes components that quietly ensure information is shared in reliable and consistent ways.
These include common standards for how information is recorded, shared clinical terminology, infrastructure to keep systems on the same page, secure digital connections between systems, identifiers to ensure information belongs to the right person, and strong protections to keep health data safe.
These invisible building blocks are essential to ensuring the right information is securely available to the right person at the right time.
Speaking the same digital language
One key part of connected care is making sure different systems structure information in the same way. This allows software used in GP clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and aged care services to understand each other.
One widely used modern standard is HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). This standard was developed in Australia and is now used globally to organise information into small, structured pieces such as medications, diagnoses or observations. This ensures it can be shared between systems and updated regularly.
Making sure information keeps its meaning
Health professionals may use different terms for the same condition - but digital systems need to recognise when those terms mean the same thing. A common clinical vocabulary ensures that 'heart attack', 'myocardial infarction' and 'MI' all refer to the same medical concept.
"This consistency reduces the risk of misunderstanding and enables health information to be reused. This is paramount not just for individual care, but also for service planning, research and improving health outcomes over time," Dr Hansen said.
Further, national digital infrastructure services are vital because they ensure updates flow reliably through the system, from hospitals to aged care services.
Moving information safely and securely
Because health information is highly sensitive, interoperability must be built on strong privacy and security protections.
In practice, this means information is encrypted as it moves between systems, access is limited to what people need for their role, and all activity is logged and auditable. It also requires confidence in identity - knowing that the people and systems accessing information are who they say they are.
"Connected care only works if people trust that their information is handled safely. Security isn't an add-on, it's fundamental to making these systems work," said Dr Hansen.
Different layers of connection
Experts often describe interoperability as occurring across several layers, reflecting how well systems share and understand information.
- Basic connection, where information can be sent but not easily reused, such as emails or PDFs
- Structured connection, where information is organised consistently so computers can read it
- Shared meaning, where systems properly understand the information they receive
- Real-world use, where these capabilities are embedded into everyday clinical practice
"It's vital we focus on all the layers, especially adoption across the healthcare system. Even the best technical standards won't deliver benefits unless they are designed to fit with how clinicians work," said Dr Hansen.
Why this matters now
The Australian Federal Government, together with CSIRO and other partners are doing work that will help health information move more smoothly between services, guided by shared standards and cooperation across the health sector. One example is Sparked , Australia's FHIR accelerator.
With the infrastructure firmly in place, Australia can optimise opportunities, such as AI tools, within its healthcare systems.
"While much of this work happens out of sight, its impact is felt in everyday healthcare interactions - fewer repeated questions, clearer information, and smoother transitions between care settings," concluded Dr Hansen.
