AI Automation Takes Center Stage in Australia’s Virtual Care

AI driven workflow automation is easing admin strain in telehealth, signaling a shift toward more sustainable virtual care models

17 Dec 2025

Australia’s virtual care sector is moving into a more pragmatic phase, with attention shifting from access to efficiency as providers look to reduce the administrative burden surrounding telehealth consultations.

During the rapid expansion of telehealth in the pandemic, video consultations became routine across much of the health system. But clinicians soon found that documentation, referrals and follow-up tasks often took as much time as patient interaction itself. Industry observers say this has prompted growing interest in AI-driven workflow automation that supports, rather than replaces, video care.

Investment trends point in the same direction. Heidi Health’s recent funding round has been cited by analysts as a signal of investor confidence in AI tools designed to ease administrative workloads. Such systems typically capture consultations, generate draft clinical notes and prepare follow-up documentation for review by clinicians.

The appeal is largely operational. Automation promises fewer hours spent on paperwork, faster processing for patients and some relief from clinician burnout. Investors and providers have been careful to frame these tools as assistants, not substitutes for clinical judgement.

Public health bodies are also beginning to explore the role of automation. Major providers and health networks are assessing how AI documentation and workflow tools could fit into longer-term digital health strategies, particularly as they plan for the sustainability of virtual care. While there have been no confirmed large-scale deployments of AI documentation tools across public telehealth services, national and state digital health roadmaps increasingly refer to automation as a future enabler.

Analysts say the underlying driver is workforce pressure rather than cost alone. Staffing shortages remain one of the most significant constraints on healthcare delivery, especially in primary care and regional areas. Automation is seen as a way to extend limited clinical capacity while maintaining care quality and clinician satisfaction.

Regulators and policymakers remain cautious. Data privacy, clinical accuracy and accountability continue to attract close scrutiny, and health authorities have stressed that AI must support, not override, professional judgement. Adoption is therefore expected to be gradual, with governance frameworks evolving alongside the technology.

Even so, momentum is building. Capital is flowing into workflow platforms, vendors are refining their products, and clinicians are increasingly receptive to tools that reduce daily friction. As telehealth becomes a permanent feature of Australia’s health system, AI-driven administrative support is emerging as a central part of its next phase.