Medicare

How to access Medicare through myGov

If you’ve linked your Medicare online account to myGov you can:

• make a claim
• update your personal details
• view your claim history and statements
• get proof of your vaccinations
• check your Medicare Safety Net threshold
• register your preference as an organ donor.

You can also use Medicare online services through the myGov app.

Create a myGov account and link Medicare

To use your Medicare online account, you need to link it to your myGov account.

If you don’t have a myGov account, find out about creating one and linking Medicare.

How to get a Medicare card

Once you enrol, you’ll get a Medicare card and can access Medicare. You’ll get your card in the post.

You can use a digital copy of your Medicare card straight away by adding it to your myGov app.

Get a replacement Medicare card

If your card is about to expire you’ll get a new one in the post.

If your Medicare card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a new one in your Medicare account through myGov.

Get your own Medicare card

If you’re 15 or older, and enrolled in Medicare, you can request your own Medicare card in your Medicare account through myGov.

Who can enrol in Medicare

To enrol in Medicare, you need to live in Australia and be any of these:

• an Australian citizen
• a New Zealand citizen
• an Australian permanent resident
• applying for permanent residency
• a citizen or permanent resident of Norfolk Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island or Lord Howe Island
• a temporary resident covered by a ministerial order.

You may also enrol if you’re visiting Australia from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country.

Some people can also enrol online using their myGov account.

Find out more about how to enrol in Medicare on the Services Australia website.

Enrol in Medicare through myGov

You can enrol in Medicare through myGov if you have:

• applied for a permanent resident visa
• been granted permanent residency
• entered Australia on a returning resident visa.

You must also be living in Australia, 15 or older and enrolling as an individual.

Find out more about enrolling in Medicare through myGov.

What Medicare covers

Medicare can help with the costs of seeing a doctor or specialist, getting medicines and going to hospital.

Show your Medicare card when you use health services. If the service is covered, you’ll get it for free or a reduced cost.

Find out more about what Medicare can help with on the Services Australia website. These links will take you away from myGov.

Medicare Safety Nets

If you have a lot of medical costs, the Medicare Safety Net can help you pay for health care. Medicare will pay more of your costs, if your costs for the year reach a threshold amount. You can check what your Medicare safety net threshold is in your Medicare online account through myGov.

Find out about Medicare Safety Nets, including if you need to register, on the Services Australia website.