But more comprehensive records won't be stored in one central location.
Rather, patient information will be kept by individual doctors, pathologists and chemists across the country.
It will only be brought together electronically when patients or their doctors search the planned national e-health system using a 16-digit identification number.
Australian is moving slowly towards the use of telehealthcare, despite its potential for health care cost savings, and assisting older people to remain in their own homes rather than moving into residential aged care.
This was demonstrated most recently by the absence of any direct recommendation or section within the Productivity Commission's draft report on the potential of emerging technologies and possible savings.
Last year the government allocated $467 million towards the national program, but details of the design, operation and regulatory arrangements have to date been largely discussed behind closed doors.
But with some major contracts already let for three lead sites, in Brisbane, the NSW Hunter Valley and Melbourne, and nine complementary "wave two" projects, work is now under way.
Weiterlesen: AU: Handing electronic health record power to the patients
As of next year, Australians will be able to sign up for a Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR). The prospect of having a single record containing a complete medical and health history is seductive - but it could also pose a computer security issue for many aged care providers and recipients.
The Government has recently hired IBM to develop a $24 million computer system that is intended to ensure only the right people can access information stored in those PCEHR records. It's an important step, but there are some who worry it does not go far enough.
During a visit to western Sydney this week, federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon visited a GP clinic that will be one of many in the area to lead the rollout of e-health records, including those of infants.
The project means the Blue Book -- a personal health record for infants, which NSW Health has been distributing to parents since 1988 -- will be available electronically and able to be viewed by parents, their GPs and other eligible health workers including those at nearby hospitals.