The system, dubbed as Joint eHealth Data and Information (JeHDI), will be one of the first comprehensive e-health records projects in Australia, according to CSC Australia president, Gavin Larkings.

"This project is an important example of a modernised health system optimising the use of e-health technologies to provide the right healthcare at the right time in the right place," he said in a statement. "JeHDI is a significant project for Defence and we foresee it as a showcase for Australia's e-health evolution."

Defence has contracted CSC to deliver a mature, centralised, Web-accessible, military specific, primary care solution, known as EMIS. The services giant will also work with selected partners to provide application hosting and IT support services, organisational change, communication, training and project management.

Commander Joint Health, Major General Paul Alexander said JeHDI would enable the department to provide high-quality healthcare that supports our members within Australia. In addition to eHealth records for personnel, Defence hopes the system will provide the ability to map health related trends of the Australian Defence Force and create clarity around healthcare costs.

The system is set to be complete in the first half of 2014 and Defence's initial investment is slated at nearly $56 million.