Australian Pathology

30/03/2026

Access to pathology, including bulk billing, matters for families and communities.

Melissa McIntosh MP recognises the role pathology plays in supporting everyday healthcare, ensuring people can access the tests they need, when they need them.

Pathology. Essential for every health decision.

https://www.australianpathology.com/essential-for-every-health-decision

29/03/2026

A strong pathology system is one Australians can trust.

Dr Mike Freelander MP emphasises the importance of a system that delivers for everyone. From remote and rural communities to our cities, ensuring equitable access to testing, no matter where people live.

Pathology. Essential for every health decision.

https://www.australianpathology.com/essential-for-every-health-decision

26/03/2026

Years ago, a rare fungal infection caused Tania to lose one of her kidneys.

“If pathology hadn’t picked it up, I would have died. And later, when I developed sepsis, pathology detected it in time.”

Now, regular blood tests catch early warning signs before it’s too late.

“Pathology saved my life. Twice.”

Do you have a story to share about how pathology has helped you?
We would love to hear from you:

https://www.australianpathology.com/essential-for-every-health-decision

Pathology. Essential for every health decision.

25/03/2026

My mum worked as a phlebotomist, collecting blood and samples for testing and diagnosis. It’s skilled, essential work, and millions of Australians rely on it each year.

It was an honour to speak at the launch of the Value and Contribution of Pathology Report, recognising the vital role pathology plays across our health system.

A quiet powerhouse, supported by a female-dominated workforce and critical to patient care every day.

Supporting access, affordability and this workforce is key to keeping our health system strong.

23/03/2026

Today, we launched our landmark report, From Backbone to Breaking Point: The Pathology Funding Gap, at Parliament House in Canberra.

Chaired by our CEO Liesel Wett, the event brought together clinicians, policymakers and patients to highlight both the critical role pathology plays in Australia’s health system, and the growing funding pressures facing the sector.

The report, prepared by Equity Economics, shows that while pathology has delivered strong productivity gains over time, rising operating costs and frozen rebates are increasingly threatening its long-term sustainability.

We heard from Australian Pathology President Dr Shaun Donovan, who officially launched the report, alongside contributions from The Hon. Rebecca White MP (Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care) , Dr Mike Freelander MP, Dr Michael Bonning, Melissa McIntosh MP, and patient advocate Daniel.

Pathology underpins almost every patient journey, supporting around 70% of all medical decisions and delivering services to more than 175,000 Australians every weekday.

Thank you to our speakers, and everyone else who attended, including Susan Templeman MP, Dan Repacholi MP, Trish Cook MP, Alice Jordan-Baird MP, Renee Coffey MP and Zali Steggall MP as well as the many stakeholders and pathology representatives.

Read the full report: https://www.australianpathology.com/publications

Read the media release: https://tinyurl.com/ycxwj4h5

23/03/2026

18/03/2026

80% of those with coeliac disease remain undiagnosed. Do you have any digestive issues?

Testing for coeliac disease usually starts with a blood test. This looks for specific antibodies the body may produce in response to gluten. Elevated levels can indicate that coeliac disease may be present.

If results suggest coeliac disease, your doctor may recommend further testing to confirm a diagnosis.

It’s important that people continue eating gluten before testing, as removing gluten from the diet can affect the accuracy of results.

If you have ongoing symptoms, speak with your GP about whether testing may be appropriate.

Pathology. Essential for every health decision.

https://www.australianpathology.com/essential-for-every-health-decision/

16/03/2026

It’s Coeliac Awareness Week and it’s an opportunity to shine a light on this often-missed disease.

Did you know around 1 in 70 Australians have coeliac disease? Yet around 80% are estimated to remain undiagnosed.

Symptoms can vary, ranging from digestive issues to fatigue to low iron, so many people don’t realise coeliac disease could be the cause.

If you have perisistant symtoms, chat to your GP. Get the tests right for you.

Pathology. Essential for every health decision.

https://www.australianpathology.com/essential-for-every-health-decision/

12/03/2026

On World Kidney Day today, we were pleased to attend and support the launch of Kidney Health Australia’s report, ‘Kidney Code Red: The Response’, at Parliament House, highlighting the urgent need for earlier detection and prevention of kidney disease.

More than 2.7 million Australians are affected by kidney disease, with many unaware they are at risk. Kidney Health Australia is urging every Australian to take its free two-minute online Kidney Risk Test at kidney.org.au/risktest.

As part of our budget submission earlier this year, we called for a new Medicare item combining existing Pathology tests into one, Kidney Health Check with clear diagnostic outcomes that will support the progressive prevention of kidney disease and recognise pathology’s essential role in early intervention and better long-term health outcomes.

Early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often silent, with people able to lose up to 90% of kidney function before symptoms appear. Preventative screening for those with risk factors is essential.

Pictured (L-R) Liesel Wett, CEO - Australian Pathology, Breonny Robson, GM Clinical & Research - Kidney Health Australia, Billy the Kidney, and David Thé, Director of Policy - Australian Pathology.

Pathology. Essential for every health decision.

11/03/2026

To celebrate and raise awareness for World Kidney Day today we’re sharing Lenore’s story.

Twenty-nine years ago, when her daughter was born 12 weeks premature, Lenore’s world changed.

Soon after, she was diagnosed with kidney disease.

Since then, regular blood and urine tests have been a constant part of her life. They helped delay dialysis for more than 20 years before she eventually needed a transplant.

Now, after a kidney transplant and heart valve replacement, those tests are more important than ever.

“Pathology tests are crucial for managing my health and maintaining my kidney transplant.” – Lenore

Do you have a story to share about how pathology has helped you?
We would love to hear from you: https://www.australianpathology.com/essential-for-every-health-decision

Pathology. Essential for every health decision.



Kidney Health Australia

07/03/2026

Today, on , we celebrate the incredible women in pathology, from phlebotomists to scientists to leaders.

Women continue to shape the future of science and healthcare, and we’re proud to see that impact reflected across our members laboratories, collection centres, and offices.

Your expertise delivers the answers that diagnosis depends on and guides life-changing health decisions every day. Thank you!