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Reach · Handout

Portals and video appointments: Australia.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada.

Moraph for Good · Reach

Portals and video appointments: Australia

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/portals-and-video-appointments

Online health services can save a trip, as long as they are set up safely and before you need them. This sheet sums up the session, with details for where you live in the box below.

Setting up a portal

  • Get the sign-up link from your provider, not from a search or a message.
  • Use a strong password you use nowhere else and turn on two-step sign-in.
  • Ask about family or carer access instead of sharing your login.
  • Sign out fully on shared or public computers.

Using it

  • Results can appear before a clinician has discussed them; call the clinic if one worries you.
  • Portal messages are not for emergencies.
  • If you can’t find something, ask the clinic’s front desk or help line.

Video appointments

  • Test the link, camera and sound before the day.
  • Find a private place and charge your device.
  • Have your questions and medicines list ready.
  • Ask for an interpreter, captions or a phone call if you need one.

Avoiding scams

  • Be wary of urgency, threats, free offers and payment by gift card.
  • Never share passwords, sign-in codes or bank details.
  • Hang up and call back on a number you already have.

In Australia

  • My Health Record. My Health Record is an online summary of your health information, such as medicines, allergies and medical history, run by the Australian Digital Health Agency. You access it by signing in to myGov and linking it to your My Health Record.
  • Controls and alerts. You can set access controls, check the access history, and ask for an email or text when, for example, a provider opens your record for the first time or someone new is able to access it.
  • Family and carers. You can make a family member or carer a nominated representative and choose what they can see. From age 14 you control your own My Health Record.
  • Help and advice. The My Health Record help line is 1800 723 471. healthdirect is a free, government-funded health advice service; its nurses on 1800 022 222 can help you work out where to go and may offer a call back or a video call from a GP.

Official places to check:

  • Office of the Australian Information Commissioner: www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/health-information/my-health-record/about-my-health-record
  • Office of the Australian Information Commissioner: www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/health-information/my-health-record/manage-your-my-health-record
  • healthdirect Australia: www.healthdirect.gov.au/how-healthdirect-can-help-you

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/portals-and-video-appointments