How to Apply for Medicare in Australia as a New Migrant

Applying for Medicare: Healthcare for New Migrants

Medicare is Australia's public health system. If you're eligible, you access doctors, hospitals, and specialists with little or no cost. Many new migrants are eligible. Here's how to apply.

What Is Medicare?

Medicare is a government-funded health service that pays for:

• GP visits: Often bulk-billed with no out-of-pocket cost. Some GPs charge a gap fee — this varies by practice, so ask before you book.
• Specialist consultations: A GP referral unlocks a Medicare rebate that covers part of the fee.
• Hospital treatment: Free in public hospitals as a public patient.
• Pathology (blood tests): Usually bulk-billed.
• Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, ultrasounds): Often bulk-billed or partly rebated.

Medicare does NOT cover:

• Dentistry: paid privately in most cases. Costs vary by provider.
• Optical (glasses, contact lenses): paid privately. Costs vary by provider.
• Physiotherapy, psychology, podiatry: paid privately, though a GP referral can unlock a partial Medicare rebate for a limited number of allied health visits.
• Private hospital stays: Covered only if you have private health insurance.

Who Is Eligible for Medicare?

Definitely Eligible

• Australian citizens
• Permanent Residents (all visa types: 189, 190, 491, partner, family, etc.)
• New Zealand citizens (registered with the government)

Conditionally Eligible

Some temporary visa holders can access Medicare only if they hold the passport of a country that currently has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. As published by Services Australia, September 2026, 11 countries hold an RHCA with Australia: Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. RHCA cover is limited to medically necessary treatment received while in Australia, not full Medicare access, and it doesn't cover dental, optical, ambulance, or pre-arranged and elective treatment. Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417/462) visa holders do not get Medicare unless their passport is on this RHCA list. Both the list and what each agreement covers can change, so check the current position on servicesaustralia.gov.au rather than assuming an older list still applies.

Not Eligible

• Visitors from a country without an RHCA with Australia
• Some temporary visa holders (depends on visa type and nationality)
• People on bridging visas, unless their passport gives RHCA cover or a permanent visa application is in train
• Illegal non-citizens

Check Your Eligibility

Before applying, confirm your visa allows Medicare access.

1. Look at your visa grant letter. Search for "Medicare" or "healthcare eligibility."

2. Ask your employer. Many skilled visa sponsors cover healthcare costs. They'll tell you if you're eligible.

3. Call Services Australia's Medicare enquiries line during business hours and ask: "Is my visa eligible for Medicare?" Current phone numbers and hours are published on servicesaustralia.gov.au.

4. Check the Services Australia website. Go to servicesaustralia.gov.au and search "Medicare eligibility for migrants."

How to Apply for Medicare

What you'll need:

• Proof of Australian address (rental agreement, utility bill, or letter from landlord)
• Passport or visa document
• Email address for confirmation
• Phone number
• TFN (optional but recommended; you can apply without it)

Method 1: Apply Via myGov (Recommended)

Takes around 10 minutes to complete. Services Australia does not publish a fixed processing time — check current estimates on servicesaustralia.gov.au.

1. Create a myGov account if you don't have one (see Set up myGov).

2. Link Services Australia. Log in to myGov. Click "Link an organisation" and search "Services Australia." Link your account. You'll answer security questions about your identity.

3. Go to Medicare. Once Services Australia is linked, click on the Medicare tile.

4. Select "Enrol for Medicare." The system will ask if you're a new Australian resident.

5. Complete the form. You'll enter:

• Full name, date of birth, gender
• Passport number
• Visa details
• Australian address
• Contact phone number
• TFN (if you have it)

6. Submit. You'll get a reference number. Save this.

7. Wait for confirmation. Services Australia will email or text you once your Medicare enrolment is processed, with your Medicare card number. You can request digital access to use immediately.

Method 2: Apply In-Person at a Services Australia Office

Processing is the same as applying online — check current estimates on servicesaustralia.gov.au.

1. Find your nearest Services Australia office. Go to servicesaustralia.gov.au and search "locations." Book an appointment if possible — a walk-in may involve a wait.

2. Bring your documents: Passport, visa, proof of address, TFN if available.

3. Tell staff you're enrolling for Medicare. They'll complete the form with you.

4. Receive a reference number. This proves you've applied. Show it to doctors until your card arrives.

5. Keep the receipt. It has your reference number and expected processing time.

What to Do While You Wait for Your Medicare Card

While your enrolment is being processed:

1. Keep proof of application. Take a screenshot of your myGov confirmation or your receipt from the Services Australia office.

2. Show it to your doctor. Doctors accept proof of application instead of a physical card.

3. Use your reference number. If asked, quote your reference number from myGov or your receipt.

4. Update your address. If you move before your card arrives, update Services Australia immediately. Your card is sent by mail.

5. Check your email. Services Australia may ask for more documents. Reply promptly, or your application may be delayed.

When Your Medicare Card Arrives

Your physical card is posted to your Australian address after your enrolment is approved.

1. You'll receive a letter saying "Your Medicare card is enclosed."

2. The card has:

• Your name
• Your Medicare number
• An expiry date
• Your photo (optional but recommended)

3. Activate it. Most cards are automatically active. If you need to activate it, follow the letter's instructions or check servicesaustralia.gov.au for the current phone number.

4. Update your records. Give your Medicare number to your:

• Employer (for health insurance deductions)
• Doctor
• Bank (for some tax deductions)

Using Medicare at the Doctor

When you visit a GP (general practitioner):

1. Tell them you have Medicare. Provide your Medicare card or number.

2. Pay for the visit. Many doctors bulk-bill (no charge to you). Some charge a gap fee, which varies by practice.

3. Keep the receipt. It shows the service code and Medicare rebate.

4. Claim later if needed. If you pay a gap fee, you can claim part of it back via myGov or a pharmacy.

If Your Visa Doesn't Qualify for Medicare

Temporary visa holders not eligible for Medicare should:

1. Get private health insurance. Cost varies by insurer, cover level and your age — check current quotes before you commit. Cover can include GPs, hospitals, and specialist visits, depending on the policy.

2. Insurers offering cover for temporary residents include Bupa and Medibank, among others.

3. Look for "overseas visitor" or "temporary resident" cover — a different product from a standard resident policy.

4. Compare policies on privatehealth.gov.au, the Australian Government's private health insurance comparison site.

5. If you're working, ask whether your private health insurance premiums affect your tax — rules depend on your circumstances.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming you're automatically enrolled. You must apply. Enrollment doesn't happen automatically when you arrive.

2. Giving up if your application is rejected. If Services Australia says you're ineligible, ask why. Some visa types have specific requirements — for example, a subclass 482 visa holder from a country with a current RHCA.

3. Not updating your address. If you move, tell Medicare as soon as possible. Otherwise, your card can get lost in the mail.

4. Forgetting your reference number. Write it down the moment you apply. You'll need it if Services Australia asks for more documents.

5. Not checking your online account. Log in to myGov weekly. Services Australia sends messages about your Medicare status there.

FAQs: Special Situations

"I'm on a student visa. Can I get Medicare?"

If you're from an RHCA country and enrolled full-time, you may be eligible. Check your visa letter or call Services Australia. Most international students need private health insurance.

"I'm a partner visa holder. Am I eligible?"

Yes, if your visa is granted, or if you're on a partner bridging visa with a permanent visa application in train. You're eligible from the date of grant, so it's worth applying as soon as you can.

"My spouse is ineligible. Can I add them to my account?"

No. Each person needs their own Medicare enrolment. If your spouse isn't eligible, they need private health insurance.

"Can I access Medicare immediately after my visa is granted?"

Your eligibility begins from the grant date, but you still need to apply and wait for the enrolment to be processed and the card to arrive. In the meantime, show proof of application to doctors.

Next Steps

1. Check your visa eligibility today.
2. Create a myGov account if needed.
3. Apply for Medicare within your first week.
4. Get a reference number and save it.
5. Show proof of application to doctors until your card arrives.
6. Update your address if you move.

Is Medicare enrolment automatic when I arrive in Australia?

No. You must apply — enrolment does not happen automatically when your visa is granted or when you arrive. Eligible arrivals should apply as soon as they can, usually through myGov.

I'm on a student visa. Can I get Medicare?

Only if you hold the passport of a country with a current Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia — as published by Services Australia, 11 countries: Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK. Most international students need Overseas Student Health Cover instead.

I'm a partner visa holder. Am I eligible for Medicare?

Yes, from the date your partner visa is granted, or while you hold a partner bridging visa with a permanent visa application in train.

What's the difference between Medicare and private health insurance for a new migrant?

Medicare is the government scheme available to citizens, permanent residents, and some temporary visa holders from RHCA countries. It covers public hospital treatment and subsidises GP, specialist, pathology and imaging costs, but not dental, optical or most allied health. Private health insurance can cover gaps Medicare doesn't, and is the main option if your visa doesn't qualify for Medicare at all.

Does a Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417 or 462) get Medicare?

Not automatically. Working Holiday Maker visa holders only get Medicare access if their passport is on the current Reciprocal Health Care Agreement list — otherwise they rely on RHCA cover for some countries only, or need private health insurance.