St Vincent’s has called on the Australian Government to act quickly to protect and develop Australia’s sovereign healthcare AI capability, warning the nation risks becoming dependent on overseas technology providers despite its valuable health data assets.
In its submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on AI standards and frontier AI infrastructure, St Vincent’s has called for health and aged care to be treated as priority sectors in the nation’s first AI standards, warning that public trust, patient safety and Australia’s future health innovation capability depend on getting the regulatory settings right from the outset.
The national health and aged care services provider said Australia could be a global leader in health and aged care AI if governments prioritise investment, procurement, and policy settings that support local development and build patient trust.
St Vincent’s warned that, without intervention, Australia could become dependent on AI technologies developed overseas, despite having internationally significant health datasets, world-class clinical expertise and strong public trust in healthcare institutions.
St Vincent’s chief medical officer, Chris Robinson, said Australia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redesign health and aged care, and governments should use procurement policies, investment mechanisms and research partnerships to accelerate both local AI innovation and system-wide transformation.
“Just as electricity transformed industries in the early 20th century, AI has the potential to fundamentally reshape how health and aged care are delivered,” Dr Robinson said.
“By combining technology with the expertise of clinicians, we can reimagine what accessible, high-quality care looks like for all Australians, whether that’s care provided in hospitals, community settings or home.
“Australia should be ambitious, building on areas where we already have internationally recognised strengths to lead the next generation of healthcare innovation.”
He said that public-interest obligations should be placed on companies developing AI in Australia, with contributions directed towards health and aged care research, particularly projects supporting people who experience poorer health outcomes.
The St Vincent’s submission also calls for measures to ensure the benefits of AI are shared across the community rather than concentrated among those who already have the greatest access to healthcare.
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St Vincent’s warns Australia risks losing its health AI future without urgent action (St Vincent’s)
