The Australian federal health department has raised concerns about the growing use of AI scribes by doctors, noting that the technology operates with 'little oversight' and poses risks to patient privacy and data security. The warning comes as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reviews whether these tools should be classified as medical devices subject to stricter regulation.
Surge in AI Scribe Adoption Among GPs
AI scribe tools record, transcribe, and summarize patient consultations for medical notes, and their use has skyrocketed in Australia over the past 18 months. According to an online poll by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the proportion of doctors using AI scribes nearly doubled from 22% in August 2024 to 40% in November 2025. Companies offering the technology claim it has been used hundreds of millions of times globally as doctors seek to reduce administrative burdens.
Government Documents Reveal Oversight Gaps
In February 2026 Senate estimates briefing documents obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws, the health department stated that AI scribes 'have little oversight' and raised concerns about their use in healthcare. The department noted that digital scribes are classified as medical devices only if they serve a therapeutic purpose, leaving many unregulated. 'Anecdotally, some are marketed as outside regulatory levers (e.g., not a medical device) or as privacy-compliant, often with limited transparency,' the department said. 'Some suppliers may be unaware their cloud platforms send data outside Australia, raising risks for patient data security.'
Implications for Patient Safety and Medicare Costs
An April briefing document from the department's AI advisory group highlighted that while AI scribes could improve clinician productivity and reduce burnout, they are subject to the same limitations as other large language models in terms of quality and accuracy. 'This has implications for patient safety, clinical accountability, and the integrity of data held within national digital health infrastructure,' the document stated. The department also noted that some suppliers advertise a 30% revenue increase for health professionals without additional hours, 'which has implications for [Medicare Benefits Scheme] costs.'
Consent Concerns Raised by Consumer Advocates
Dr Elizabeth Deveny, chief executive of the Consumer Health Forum, said the documents show consumers and the government share the same questions about AI scribes. 'It is good that the department has identified these as key issues. The next question is really whether the current safeguards are strong enough and consistent enough in day-to-day practice,' she said. Deveny noted that the forum is increasingly hearing from patients who are told they must find a different provider if they do not consent to AI scribe use. Guardian Australia has previously reported cases where a Melbourne psychiatrist refused to accept patients who would not consent to an AI scribe.
Patchwork Regulation Under Review
Oversight of AI scribes in Australia involves multiple regulators, including the TGA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The TGA has been reviewing digital scribes to determine whether they should be classed as medical devices, with a report expected in the coming months. 'The TGA is working with industry associations and individual companies to ensure regulatory requirements are understood, and we plan to publish a summary of the outcomes from the review in coming months,' a health department spokesperson said.
Privacy Commissioner's Scrutiny
Privacy commissioner Carly Kind stated in a May speech that her office has been 'tracking closely' the rollout of AI scribe technology, meeting with the RACGP ethics committee and providers. '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,' she said.
