Apple Watch hypertension detection approved for use in Australia

When Apple launched its latest range of smartwatches in September, Australians missed out on a feature that notified wearers about high blood pressure. Now, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved hypertension notifications on Apple Watches, paving the way for the feature to launch in Australia.

First reported by Information Age‘s Tom Williams, more than 150 countries already have access to the feature. As listed on the TGA’s website, the feature received Australian regulatory approval on 4 December 2025. As described by Apple, the feature uses the optical heart sensor on Apple Watch Series 9 and above to detect a “pattern of hypertension”.

Users also need an up-to-date iPhone 11 or later to access hypertension notifications. Apple Watch wearers then receive a notification if patterns related to hypertension are identified across 30 days of collected data.

Apple positions the feature as being able to pick up signs of chronic high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. However, like many health features available on mass market devices, it’s not meant to replace an official diagnosis by a medical professional. Instead, it can help guide wearers to seek further help if needed.

Apple’s health features tend to launch later in Australia than in other parts of the world. Several months passed between the AirPods hearing aid functionality update in the US and its local availability. Apple secured TGA approval for the hearing aid feature in December 2024, but Australians couldn’t access the feature until March 2025.

If a similar timeline follows, Aussies might still have to wait a few months until the hypertension detection feature is unlocked on Apple Watches.

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