Update 18 June 2026: Following RACGP advocacy, the Government has softened the rollout. Verbal consent stays available for 12 months in all settings, and "enduring" once-only consent has been brought forward for MyMedicare, aged care and ACCHO patients. Compliance starts with education, not enforcement.
The reform is still happening — written consent becomes the default over the next 12 months. These steps prepare your clinic regardless of timing.
Six questions. Two minutes. Know exactly where you stand.
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1 of 6 answered
1
Has your clinical software confirmed the new AoB consent flow is live?
Best Practice, Medical Director, Zedmed, HotDoc, Tyro etc. — ask your vendor directly if unsure.
Action today: Call or email your software vendor and ask specifically: “Is the new AoB data set live in your system before 1 July?” If not, you’ll need a paper fallback — download the Services Australia template now.
2
Do you have a plan to move telehealth toward written consent over the next 12 months?
Verbal consent now stays available for 12 months from 1 July across all settings, but written becomes the default after that. Worth planning the transition now rather than scrambling later.
Plan for the year: Verbal consent still works for telehealth from 1 July (for 12 months). Use this transition window to test electronic signature flows in your software and brief the team. No need to flip everything overnight.
3
Have you removed the old DB4e and DB020 forms from the front desk?
The old forms aren’t the new approved format. Worth replacing during the 12-month transition so the front desk isn’t using outdated paperwork by accident.
Action today: Audit the front desk and consult rooms for printed DB4e or DB020 pads. Replace them with your software’s new flow (when it’s live) or the Services Australia template. Keep one paper fallback for emergencies.
4
Does reception know what to do if the service changes from what was booked?
If the actual service falls outside the pre-booked category, a new consent is needed. Within scope = original consent still valid.
Action today: Brief reception: only re-collect consent if the service is clearly different from the booked category. Same category = original consent holds.
5
Does reception know what to do if a patient refuses to assign?
They can’t be forced. Privately bill and give them an invoice to claim directly from Medicare.
Action today: Brief reception: if a patient declines, don’t push. Privately bill them and hand over an invoice so they can claim their Medicare rebate themselves.
6
Is someone checking that signed consents are being kept for 2 years?
Your software retains electronic ones automatically. Paper copies must be stored and auditable on request.
Action today: Assign one person to check monthly that paper consents are filed and accessible. Electronic ones your software retains automatically — confirm this with your vendor.
Opens the step-by-step reception guide in clinic-admin — login required, free to try.