Specialist Digital Health Workforce Census
About ANZ SPECIALIST DIGITAL HEALTH WORKFORCE CENSUS
ANZ DHWorx unites researchers across Australia and New Zealand to strengthen digital health workforce knowledge and resilience.
We collaborate on projects that enhance workforce effectiveness, support early career researchers, and promote innovation in digital health.
Who is the specialist digital health workforce
Anyone who self‐identifies as being a part of the Specialist Digital Health Workforce. You are part of the workforce if your role (including volunteer or actively seeking) includes a function (listed below) related to health data, information, or knowledge.
Functions could include analysing, designing, developing, implementing, maintaining, managing, operating, evaluating, or governing the data, technology, systems, and services for the health sector.
You may undertake more than one role, in which one is a Specialist Digital Health role and the other is not (for example, a clinical or management role). For this Census, only consider the Specialist Digital Health role.
You might not identify as part of the Specialist Digital Health workforce if the primary function of your role is limited to using health data, information, or knowledge but none of the other functions listed above.
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WHY DOES THE CENSUS MATTER?
The Specialist Digital Health Workforce Census provides the first comprehensive, data‑driven understanding of a workforce that is essential to the safe, effective and future‑ready delivery of healthcare. It matters because it delivers a clear, evidence‑based snapshot of who makes up the specialist digital health workforce, what they do, and where the system is vulnerable, enabling better planning and investment across the health sector.
The Census counts and profiles a workforce that has historically been poorly defined, yet underpins core health system functions such as developing, implementing, operating and governing health data, information, knowledge, and technology. Described as HIDDIN: Health Informatics, Digital Data, Information and kNowledge workforce, form the backbone for critical communication pathways and evidence‑informed decision‑making in modern healthcare. By highlighting workforce demographics, qualifications, professional development patterns, work settings, and shortfalls, the Census exposes capability gaps, such as the finding that less than half of respondents hold a formal qualification in digital health, despite their central role in supporting safe, technology‑enabled care.
Importantly, the Census informs government, industry, peak bodies, and education providers by
supplying the data needed to shape education pathways, identify emerging roles, forecast future workforce needs, and ensure Australia can fully realise the benefits of major digital health investments.
In an era where the health system is increasingly dependent on data and technologies to improve safety, equity, quality, and efficiency of care, understanding the specialist workforce that makes this possible is critical. The Census provides that understanding, turning an ill‑defined workforce into a measurable, analysable and strategically actionable asset.
The next Census will be held in May 2026
The Census is open for participation.
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HISTORY
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENSUS
ETHICS & CONSENT
The Census has been approved by the Charles Sturt University Human Research Ethics Committee (H25332). Consent is captured at the start of the Census.
PRIVACY & DATA storage
The Data Management and Access Policy outlines the privacy principles and data management approach.
data access
The Data Management and Access Policy also outlines how to access the Census data.
Key Digital Health Workforce Statistics
The Census provides key insights into the workforce.
870
Australian Specialist DH Professionals Surveyed
41%
Hold Advanced Digital Health Qualifications
56%
Aged 45-64 years
33 hours
Average weekly paid hours
6 years
Average number of years in a role
55%
Leave the workforce in the next 10 years
Frequently asked questions
Do you have a question about the Census?
How was the Census developed?
First, a focus group with digital health experts established the structure of the Census in 2016. Next, the Census Delphi Study took place in 2017 to design the Census questions. Experts from a number of different stakeholder organisations in Australia and New Zealand provided input into the data elements and questions that should be included in the Census. The Census was then pilot tested by the experts and the executive committees of the partner organisations.
Who should complete the Census?
Anyone who self‐identifies as being a part of the Specialist Digital Health Workforce can complete the Census. You are part of the workforce if any part of your role (including volunteer or actively seeking) includes a function related to health data, information, or knowledge.
Functions could include analysing, designing, developing, implementing, maintaining, managing, operating, evaluating, or governing the data, technology, systems, and services for the health sector.
I meet the definition of the workforce, but my role is with paper health records. Should I complete the Census?
Absolutely.Whilst the Census refers to the digital health workforce, it is for everyone who works in a role primarily responsible for health data, information, knowledge, and technology.
Should I complete the Census if I use health data and technology but my primary function is patient care
You might not identify as part of the Specialist Digital Health workforce if the primary function of your role is limited to using health data, information, or knowledge but not any of the other functions listed above.
I have more than one role in health.
The Census will allow you to enter information for two Specialist roles. If one of your roles is not a Specialist role (e.g. a clinical or management role), only complete the census for your Specialist role.
How will I complete the Census?
On the 1 May, a link will appear above that will take you to the Census. The Census will be open for completion from the 1st May until the 31st May 2026.
You can complete the Census on a computer or mobile device, using any browser. If you would like to complete a paper copy, please email admin@DHWorx.au The Census consists of a number of select answer and short answer questions relating to your demographic information, educational background, current role, and future professional intentions.
How long does it take to complete the Census?
In 2026, we will be introducing a modified Census that allows you to answer as few or as many questions as you want. The minimal data Census will take less than 5 minutes to complete. The standard Census, where you provide more detailed answers for the main domains in the Census will take 15 minutes to complete. And if you elect to answer the additional sections, this will be an additional 5-7 minutes per section.
What are the additional sections?
In 2023, we partnered with Telstra Health to include 20 questions related to gender.
In 2026, we will continue to partner with Telstra Health and include the additional questions related to gender. We will also have an additional section about Leadership to enable us to explore the role of the Digital Health Leader.
I started the Census, but changed my mind. What should I do?
Participation in the Census is voluntary. If you have started the Census and changed your mind, please close the browser. Whilst we cannot remove your data because we do not capture any identifyable information, the Census will stop at the point where you closed your browser.
How will you use the data captured in the Census?
We have published multiple papers from our analysis of the Census data. Please visit the Resources and Publications page for examples.
These publications have informed national workforce strategy, including the Australian Digital Health Agency National Digital Health Workforce and Education Roadmap, various jurisdictions, and peak bodies.