The medical indemnity environment in Australia is shifting faster than at any time since the early-2000s reforms. Doctors are working in new settings, using new technologies, and seeing patients in new ways—while scrutiny from regulators, patients, and the media continues to rise.

For healthcare professionals, this means medical indemnity can no longer be treated as a static, “set-and-forget” product. It has become a dynamic risk tool that must evolve alongside practice models, Medicare rules, digital health adoption, and growing patient expectations.

This article explores the critical trends shaping medical indemnity in 2026, what they mean for doctors and practices, and how a specialist partner like Tego is helping clinicians navigate this change with confidence.

Why the Medical Indemnity Landscape Is Changing

The fundamental need for clinical risk protection remains, but the drivers of that risk are expanding rapidly in modern Australian healthcare.

Emerging risks in modern healthcare

Demographic change, increasing care complexity, workforce pressures, and growing expectations of “perfect” outcomes are all adding to medico-legal exposure.

Significantly, regulatory scrutiny is intensifying. According to AHPRA’s Annual Report 2024–25, the regulator received 13,327 notifications last year—a 19% increase on the previous period.

This growth reflects a greater public willingness to complain, a sharper regulatory focus on professional standards, and the visibility created by online feedback and social media. For doctors, this means more “touchpoints”—clinical, behavioural, or administrative—that can evolve into a regulatory investigation or indemnity event.

Legal, regulatory, and policy reform impacts

The regulatory framework underpinning medical indemnity insurance in Australia is also changing.

Recent reforms to the National Law have introduced greater protections for those who raise concerns regarding practitioner conduct. Additionally, from 2026, changes to the public register will expand the information published regarding serious misconduct cases, increasing the reputational stakes for practitioners.

On the funding side, the government continues to monitor the stability of the sector, with the 2023–24 Medical Indemnity Universal Cover Report highlighting the ongoing role of private underwriters and schemes in maintaining affordability.

Doctors must be aware of three primary factors currently influencing risk exposure and insurance premiums.

Rising premiums and market consolidation

After several relatively stable years, many Australian doctors are seeing pressure on premiums. Indemnity pricing is being shaped by increasing claim frequency, “social inflation” (higher jury awards and settlement costs), and broader economic shifts.

Furthermore, global insurance market consolidation is influencing appetite for specific risks. For higher-risk specialties, or doctors working outside traditional models (such as high-volume telehealth or niche cosmetic procedures), underwriting scrutiny is increasing, and standard cover may be harder to secure.

The impact of telehealth and digital consultations

Telehealth is now embedded in the Australian healthcare system, supported by permanent MBS telehealth items. However, telehealth medical indemnity risks are rising.

AHPRA’s updated telehealth guidance notes a significant rise in concerns, with 586 telehealth-related notifications recorded in 2024–25. Challenges include jurisdictional complexity (when patients are interstate), consent documentation, and managing follow-up in virtual settings.

Increased scrutiny on data breaches and cyber risks

Healthcare is consistently the top sector for reported data breaches in Australia.

Data from the OAIC (Office of the Australian Information Commissioner) shows 595 notifiable data breaches between July and December 2024—up 15% on the previous six months. Health service providers remain the top sector for these incidents, with malicious attacks like phishing being a dominant cause.

What These Changes Mean for Doctors and Practices

The convergence of these trends is fundamentally altering the day-to-day risk profile of Australian medical practice.

Shifts in risk exposure

Doctors and practices are facing a broader risk profile that extends beyond clinical negligence.

  • Non-clinical complaints: There is a higher volume of complaints regarding communication, billing, and behaviour, even where clinical care is sound.
  • Vicarious liability: As practice structures become more corporate and multidisciplinary, the liability of the entity for the actions of staff or contractors is increasing.
  • Privacy liability: A serious privacy breach can now trigger regulatory investigations and compensation claims that rival clinical claims in cost and complexity.

How policies are adapting to new technologies and treatment models

Insurers are progressively adapting wording to address modern workflows, including asynchronous care (text-based consulting), cross-border telehealth, and AI-supported diagnostics.

However, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. The boundary between traditional medical indemnity and cyber/privacy liability is blurring, and standard policies may have sub-limits or exclusions for digital risks. This makes it critical that indemnity arrangements are not just compliant with ANZIIF guidance, but aligned with the doctor’s actual mix of work.

How Providers Are Responding

The indemnity sector is moving from a reactive “payer” model to a proactive “partner” model.

Greater focus on prevention and education

A clear trend across the sector is a stronger emphasis on prevention. Leading providers are investing in risk education designed to prevent issues escalating into claims. Topics now routinely include safe telehealth documentation, ethical billing compliance, and cyber hygiene.

Support services and risk management programs

Beyond the policy itself, the quality of medico-legal support is a key differentiator. Providers are investing in:

  • 24/7 medico-legal advice lines.
  • Early-response support for coronial matters and Medicare audits.
  • Structured risk reviews for practices to identify vulnerabilities before they become claims.

How Tego Is Helping Australian Healthcare Professionals Navigate Change

As a specialist provider, Tego’s focus is on helping doctors and healthcare entities align their indemnity cover with the realities of modern practice.

Policy flexibility, guidance, and proactive support

We help clinicians navigate this changing landscape through:

  • Tailored Coverage: Aligning policies to your specific specialty, income profile, and risk appetite.
  • Holistic Protection: Working with partners to address entity, cyber, and regulatory exposures alongside individual practitioner cover.
  • Expert Advice: Providing access to advisory teams that understand current AHPRA, Medicare, and privacy expectations.

To learn more or speak with an advisor

If you are reviewing your cover in light of practice growth, changing scope, or recent regulatory developments, it is time to reassess whether your current program genuinely reflects your risk.

[Contact Tego to speak with an advisor today about specialised medical indemnity solutions].

Final Thoughts

The medical indemnity landscape in Australia is not in crisis, but it is in significant motion. Rising notifications, evolving telehealth models, and growing cyber risks mean doctors cannot afford to treat indemnity as a static purchase.

Practitioners who stay informed, invest in prevention, and partner with a specialist provider are better placed to protect their patients, their reputation, and their practice.

For a foundational overview of how these insurance structures work, we recommend reading our long-standing resource: A Guide to Medical Indemnity Insurance in Australia.

Important Information & Disclaimer

General Advice Warning General advice on this website has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on the advice, please consider its appropriateness to your personal circumstances. You should also consider our disclosure documents, which include our Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Product Disclosure Statements (PDS) for relevant products, before making any decision.

General Insurance Code of Practice We proudly support the General Insurance Code of Practice (the Code). The Code has been designed to raise customer service standards in the Australian insurance industry and protect the rights of policyholders. It is the general insurance industry’s promise to be open, fair, and honest in the way it deals with all its customers.