Who Is Eligible for Medicare?
Not every person in Australia is automatically covered by Medicare. Eligibility depends on your residency or citizenship status. You are generally eligible to enrol in Medicare if you are:
- An Australian citizen (living in Australia or overseas)
- A permanent resident of Australia
- A New Zealand citizen living in Australia
- An applicant for a permanent residency visa who is permitted to work
- A citizen or permanent resident of a country that has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia, while visiting Australia
Temporary visa holders, tourists, and international students are generally not eligible for Medicare, unless their home country has an RHCA with Australia. Countries with RHCAs include the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Slovenia, Malta, and the Republic of Ireland.
How to Enrol in Medicare for the First Time
If you're enrolling in Medicare for the first time, the process is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Gather your documents: You'll need proof of identity and proof of your residency status. Accepted documents typically include your passport, visa grant notice, birth certificate, or Australian citizenship certificate.
- Complete the enrolment form: You can enrol online through your myGov account (linked to Medicare) or by completing a Medicare enrolment form.
- Submit your application: Lodge your application at a Services Australia (Medicare) service centre, or online if eligible.
- Receive your Medicare card: Once your enrolment is processed, your Medicare card will be mailed to your address. This typically takes a few weeks.
In some cases, if you need to see a doctor before your card arrives, you may be issued with a temporary Medicare number to use in the meantime.
Adding Family Members to Your Medicare Card
Medicare cards can cover multiple family members. You can add a partner or dependent children to your existing Medicare card. To do this, you'll need to provide the relevant personal details and documentation for each person being added.
Newborn babies can be added to a parent's Medicare card, and Services Australia can often process newborn enrolments quickly when notified through the hospital or myGov.
How to Replace a Lost or Damaged Medicare Card
If your Medicare card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you should replace it promptly. You can request a replacement card:
- Online: Through your myGov account linked to Medicare
- By phone: Call Services Australia on 132 011
- In person: Visit a Medicare service centre
- Via the app: Use the Express Plus Medicare mobile app
Replacement cards are usually sent within a few business days. Note that your Medicare number remains the same when a card is replaced.
Digital Medicare Card
Australia now offers a digital Medicare card, accessible through the Medicare section of your myGov account or the Express Plus Medicare app. The digital card can be shown to healthcare providers in place of your physical card and is accepted at most practices.
Updating Your Details
It's important to keep your Medicare details current — particularly your address, so your card and correspondence reach you. You can update your details online via myGov, through the Express Plus Medicare app, by phone, or in person at a service centre.
Summary: Enrolment Checklist
| Step | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Check eligibility | Confirm you meet citizenship/residency requirements |
| Prepare documents | Passport, visa, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate |
| Submit application | Online via myGov or in person at a service centre |
| Receive your card | Allow a few weeks for postal delivery |
| Use digital card | Access via myGov or Express Plus Medicare app |
Once enrolled, you're ready to start accessing Australia's wide range of Medicare-subsidised health services. Keep your card (physical or digital) handy for all medical appointments.