Australians have been given an extra month to opt-out of My Health Record.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has formally extended the opt-out window for the controversial e-health record scheme.

Individuals now have until November 15 to withdraw their consent from the scheme, with the actual creation of records to occur in mid-December.

The government has also pledged to redraft part of the My Health Record legislation to tighten the rules for accessing the content of a personal electronic health record.

Amendments will also allow individuals to permanently delete their record from the system at any time, and bring it in line with existing Australian Digital Health Agency policy.

“This was a key request from the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Colledge of General Practitioners and gives Australians more time to consider their options as we strengthen the 2012 My Health Record legislation,” Mr Hunt said.