Australian Digital Health Agency launches innovation forum

The Australian Digital Health Agency in partnership with HL7 Australia has announced the launch of FHIRside, a forum that aims to bring developers and implementers together with industry experts to solve real-world challenges in health technology.

Commencing 7 October 2025, FHIRside will offer a weekly opportunity for healthcare technology professionals to connect, collaborate and accelerate the implementation of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards. FHIR, an international standard for exchanging digital health information, is seen as critical to improving the safety, quality and efficiency of digital health systems, leading to better-connected care for citizens.

To support the broader adoption of FHIR across Australia’s health sector, the Agency is introducing initiatives like FHIRside along with training opportunities to foster greater practical engagement that builds capability within the sector.

The Agency’s Acting CEO, Peter O’Halloran, said this new forum will provide an opportunity for participants to connect with HL7 Australia FHIR experts, receive peer support and ask questions without judgment.

“FHIRside will create a vibrant environment for real-time learning, peer mentoring and idea testing,” he said. “Whether you’re stoking the coals of an implementation challenge, or fanning the flames of new ideas, the new weekly drop-in FHIRside sessions are the ideal setting for collective learning and building connections. This is where inquisitive minds gather, ideas shine brightly, and meaningful progress unfolds.”

Each one-hour virtual FHIRside session aims to offer a new approach that complements training programs, online forums and formal standards development.

“FHIRside fills a gap in the implementation of standards,” the Agency’s Acting Chief Digital Officer, Danielle Pentony, said. “It’s not just about solving technical problems, it’s about supporting capability uplift and cultivating a shared ecosystem that strengthens cross-organisational collaboration and supports innovation.”

The drop-in sessions align with the Agency’s delivery of the suite of fully funded FHIR training courses. With existing courses having recently been updated and more in development to empower Australia’s healthcare workforce, FHIRside provides that additional support for those diving into FHIR for the first time.

The inaugural FHIRside session will take place on 7 October 2025 from 12:30–1:30 pm AEDT, running until December before recommencing in late January 2026.

To join this or future FHIRside sessions, visit the FHIR training courses webpage and follow the Agency’s LinkedIn page for updates.

Image credit: iStock.com/Jacob Wackerhausen