The Australian federal health department stated that artificial intelligence (AI) scribes used by doctors had little oversight. The department raised concerns regarding these tools during a February 2026 Senate estimates briefing.

The department noted variation in how clinicians and practices obtained patient consent for AI scribe use. It stated that informed consent requires consumers to understand the benefits and limitations of the technology. The department added that some AI scribe suppliers are marketed as outside regulatory levers or as privacy-compliant despite limited transparency. Some suppliers may be unaware their cloud platforms send data outside Australia, which carries risks for patient data security.

The department noted that some suppliers advertised a 30% revenue increase for health professionals without additional hours or patient consultations, stating this has implications for Medicare Benefits Scheme costs. An April 2025 briefing document from the department's AI advisory group stated that AI scribe limitations affect patient safety, clinical accountability, and the integrity of data within national digital health infrastructure.

Elizabeth Deveny, Chief Executive of the Consumer Health Forum, said, "It is good that the department has identified these as key issues." Deveny also stated, "The next question is really whether the current safeguards are strong enough and consistent enough in day-to-day practice." The Consumer Health Forum has received reports from patients who were told they needed to find a different provider if they did not consent to AI scribe use. In one instance, a psychiatrist in Melbourne refused to accept patients who would not consent to the use of an AI scribe.

Carly Kind, the Privacy Commissioner, stated in a May 2025 speech that her office had been tracking the rollout of AI scribe technology. Kind said, "We continue to engage with civil society organisations concerned about the rollout of scribes, the deficiencies in GPs' implementation of AI scribe consent protocols, and the absence of disclosure around scribes in privacy policies."

The use of AI scribes by doctors in Australia increased from 22% in August 2024 to 40% in November 2025, according to a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners online poll. AI scribe tools record, transcribe, and summarize conversations between doctors and patients for medical notes. Digital scribes are classified as medical devices under the Therapeutic Goods Act only if they serve a therapeutic purpose. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is conducting a review determining whether AI scribes should be classified as medical devices.

A spokesperson for the health department stated that the Therapeutic Goods Administration plans to publish a summary of the outcomes from this review in coming months. Oversight of AI scribes in Australia involves the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.