Australia’s Telehealth Revolution Hits Fast-Track

Coviu and HealthEngine extend partnership as Canberra pledges A$204mn for a nationwide telehealth upgrade by 2026.

16 May 2025

Australia’s telehealth industry is picking up speed, with major players betting big on integrated digital care. Coviu and HealthEngine, two of the country’s virtual care frontrunners, are pushing for a more seamless patient experience by combining video consultations, appointment bookings, and patient records into a single streamlined platform.

The duo first joined forces in mid-2020, back when HealthEngine already attracted 3.5 million visits a month. Since then, demand for smoother healthcare access has only grown. Nearly 70 percent of healthcare professionals now say they need better-connected systems to escape clunky workflows and tedious data entry. Coviu CEO Silvia Pfeiffer believes the goal is simple: “This partnership removes friction from telehealth, letting doctors focus on care while patients enjoy faster, simpler access.”

The private sector is not the only one eyeing an upgrade. In April, the federal government pledged A$204 million to create a national 1800MEDICARE service by January 2026. This overhaul promises to unify a patchwork of state-run health lines into one nationwide telehealth system, with a focus on reaching rural and underserved areas.

Analysts say the competition is set to intensify. With Coviu and HealthEngine strengthening their alliance, smaller players could face an uphill battle. International giants like Teladoc Health are also showing interest in Australia’s expanding market. Industry watchers predict more mergers and partnerships as the sector heads for consolidation.

Still, the road ahead is not without bumps. Privacy concerns and system compatibility issues loom large, prompting calls for stricter safeguards. But with political backing and rising patient demand, Australia’s telehealth transformation looks unstoppable.

A faster, smarter, and more connected healthcare future may finally be within reach.