2026-08-14 · 6 min

Clinic software in Australia: Best Practice, HotDoc and what belongs on the public website

How GP and allied-health clinics should separate clinical systems from marketing sites, bookings and Google — without creating a privacy mess.

Clinical software stays inside the practice

Best Practice and MedicalDirector are clinical systems. Cliniko is the allied-health equivalent. None of these should be replaced by a website builder, and none of them should receive patient notes via a marketplace chat.

Bookings are a pointer, not a second PMS

If you use HotDoc or HealthEngine, the website’s job is to send people there with the right practitioner and location. Rebuilding a booking engine on the marketing site creates two calendars and a privacy review you do not want.

AHPRA and the APPs still apply to “just a website”

Testimonials, before/after imagery and disease claims are regulated. So is collecting health information in a contact form. Keep forms to name, phone, and a non-clinical reason for contact. Put the privacy policy in plain English.