Registering for Medicare in Australia: who qualifies and how to enrol
Who is eligible for Medicare?
Medicare is Australia’s universal public health insurance system. It covers most GP visits, specialist appointments (with a referral), and public hospital treatment at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible people.
You are eligible if you are:
- An Australian citizen.
- A permanent resident (PR) — including New Zealand citizens on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444).
- A citizen or PR of a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia (including the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Slovenia, Malta and Italy) — covered for medically necessary treatment only.
Temporary visa holders (subclass 482, 485, student visas, etc.) are generally not eligible for Medicare, with some exceptions for specific visa types. Check your visa conditions or call Services Australia.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
International students on a student visa must hold OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) — private health insurance arranged through an approved insurer. OSHC does not provide the same coverage as Medicare but covers GP visits, some specialist fees, hospital treatment and emergency ambulance.
How to enrol in Medicare
Option 1: In person at a Services Australia service centre Bring your identity documents and visa grant. Walk-in enrolment is the fastest way to receive your Medicare card.
Option 2: Online via myGov If you already have a myGov account, you may be able to enrol online. Link your Medicare account once enrolment is confirmed.
Option 3: At a public hospital Hospital admissions staff can help you enrol if you require hospital treatment.
Documents required:
- Passport and visa grant letter (or ImmiAccount printout showing visa status).
- Proof of address in Australia (lease agreement, bank statement, or utility bill).
- For reciprocal country citizens: passport from the eligible country.
Medicare card and number
After enrolment you will receive a Medicare card in the mail (usually 2–4 weeks). In the meantime, Services Australia can issue a confirmation letter proving enrolment — accepted by most GPs and pharmacies as interim proof.
Your Medicare number (also called Individual Healthcare Identifier or IHI) is used to:
- Claim Medicare rebates at GP/specialist visits.
- Receive prescriptions under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
- Link your records in the My Health Record system.
Keep your Medicare card details safe — share the number only with healthcare providers and authorised government agencies.
Using Medicare at a GP
When you visit a bulk-billing GP, the practice charges Medicare directly — you pay nothing out-of-pocket. Not all GPs bulk bill; some charge a gap fee above the Medicare rebate. You can find bulk-billing GPs near you via healthdirect.gov.au or the Services Australia GP Finder.