Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I've lost my Medicare card, how do I get a new one?

If you have lost your Medicare card and your address has not been changed in the past four weeks, you can request a replacement card by:

• using our Online Services (your address must be up-to-date with Medicare Australia before you can register for Online services)
• calling Medicare Australia on 132 011
• visiting your local Medicare office
• posting a request to Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city. You will need to attach a certified copy of identification, for example, a driver’s licence.

If you have changed your address in the last four weeks, you will need to visit a Medicare office with proof of identity (for example, a passport or driver's licence). If the expiry date on your Medicare card has lapsed by more than six months, you will also need to visit your local Medicare office with proof of identity and you may be required to provide residency documents (for example, a rates notice, rental contract, employment contract).

If you are residing or holidaying overseas, your Medicare card cannot be reissued to you until you return to Australia.

My Medicare card has expired, how do I get a new one?

On your Medicare card there is an expiry date on the bottom right hand corner. If your Medicare card has recently expired and you have not changed your address in the past four weeks, a replacement card may be requested by:

• using our Online Services (your address must be up-to-date with Medicare Australia before you can register for Online Services as your password is mailed to you)
• calling Medicare Australia on 132 011
• visiting your local Medicare office
• posting a request to Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city. You will need to attach a certified copy of identification, for example, your a driver's licence.

If you have changed your address in the past four weeks, you will need to visit a Medicare office with proof of identity (for example, a passport or driver's licence). If the expiry date has lapsed by more than six months, you will also need to visit your local Medicare office with proof of identity and you may be required to provide residency documents (for example, a rates notice, rental contract or employment contract).

Where is my closest Medicare office and what hours is it open?

Find your closest Medicare office

How do I change my address?

It is important that you keep your address details up-to-date with Medicare Australia. If we do not have your current address, you may not receive important information which could cause delays in processing claims for Medicare benefits.

You can change your address by:

• using our Online Services
• calling Medicare Australia on 132 011
• visiting your local Medicare office
• posting a request to Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city. You will need to attach a certified copy of identification, for example, a driver’s licence.

How do I add my newborn baby or partner to my Medicare card?

To add a baby to your Medicare card you will need to complete a Newborn Child Claim for Family Assistance and Medicare form. This form is included in an information pack which is given to birth parents after the birth of a child, either in hospital or from a registered midwife for home births. You can lodge the completed form at a Medicare office or by mail in the reply paid envelope which is included in the pack to: Family Assistance Office, Reply Paid 1571, Adelaide, SA, 5001.

If you don't have a Newborn Child Claim for Family Assistance and Medicare form, you will need to complete a Medicare enrolment application form [PDF, 257Kb] and provide an acceptable identification document eg a birth certificate. This form and document can be lodged in person at a Medicare office.

• Information sheet for parents adopting a child from overseas [PDF, 262Kb]

To add your partner to your Medicare card you will need to visit your local Medicare office and complete a Copy/Transfer Application form [PDF, 164Kb]. If you cannot get to your Medicare office you will need to post a completed form to Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city. 

A Copy/Transfer Application form must be signed by both the Medicare cardholder and the person being transferred. Copy/Transfer Application forms [PDF, 164Kb] are also available from your local Medicare office or you can request a form to be posted to you by calling 132 011.

How is my Medicare rebate calculated?

When medical services are provided outside hospital, Medicare usually pays 85 per cent of the schedule fee other than for GP services. The patient pays the difference between the schedule fee and the Medicare rebate (known as the 'gap'), plus the difference between the schedule fee and the practitioner's charge (if the practitioner decides to charge above the schedule fee).

Schedule fees are uniform across Australia and are determined by the Department of Health and Ageing in consultation with professional bodies. Medicare benefits are based on a percentage of the schedule fee for each service as listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Health practitioners are able to charge fees they consider suitable for the services they provide, however, any extra amount about the Schedule fee will not be included in the calculation of Medicare benefits.

How do I get a Medicare tax statement? And how long will it take to get?

You can request a tax statement by any one of the following methods:

Online via Online Services

To download a copy of your Medicare benefit tax statement from our website, visit our Online Services section. You will need to be registered for Online Services. If you’re not registered, register now. Once you have registered and received your password, you will be able to download a copy of your Medicare benefit tax statement to:

• keep for your personal records
• give to your accountant
• lodge with your paper tax return

You can also request your tax statement by completing a Medicare benefit tax statement request form. A copy of your tax statement will be mailed to your address recorded with Medicare Australia.

Request via ATO eTax application

You can request a copy of your tax statement for the previous financial year using eTax. If you are not lodging your tax return online, you can print or save your Medicare tax statement using the Medicare Tax Statement Online function in eTax. If you are lodging your tax return online, you can choose to have your tax statement details downloaded into your tax return. You can still print the tax statement if you wish.

For more details go to Medicare tax statement information page.

Request by mail

You can send your completed request form by mail to:

NSW, ACT and VIC residents:
Information Release
Medicare Australia
GPO Box 9822
Sydney NSW 2001

QLD, NT, TAS, SA and WA residents:
Information Release
Medicare Australia
GPO Box 9822
Brisbane QLD 4001

Note: Information is only available for the past five years. Do not send your Medicare card when you request by mail). Your tax statement will be posted to the address currently recorded with Medicare Australia.

Request by Phone

Phone services are available by calling 132 011 for the cost of a local call. A Medicare operator will ask you for the following details:

• your Medicare card number
• your personal details
• personal details of the persons who are requiring a statement
• applicable financial year

I've lost my cheque, how do I get a new one?

A replacement can be issued for a lost cheque if it is more than 21 days from the date of issue and the cheque has not been presented. Call 132 011 to speak with a Medicare operator about stopping the old cheque, and requesting a reissued cheque. The operator will provide you with the old cheque number. Once a new cheque has been reissued the old cheque is no longer valid. If the old cheque is found it should not be banked as charges not payable by Medicare Australia may be incurred.

I have just arrived in Australia, can I get a Medicare card?

If you are visiting Australia you can find out what health services are available in the Travelling Overseas section of this site.

If you are a new arrival to Australia you can find out what health services are available to you in our Information kit. Further information is available on the Australian health services for new arrivals page.

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Last updated: 9 February, 2010