How to get a Medicare card?

What is Medicare?

Medicare is Australia’s public health system. It gives people cheaper (and often free!) doctor’s visits and medicines, and lets you go to public hospitals as a public patient.

What is a Medicare card?

A Medicare card is a plastic card with your Medicare number on it that proves you’re covered by Medicare. You can have multiple people, like a family or a couple, on the one card. If you're on a joint card then other people on the account can see your appointment. But they can't see why you're having the appointment, or what you talk about.

Why do I need a Medicare Card?

This green piece of plastic is your golden ticket to seeing doctors and other services. If you’re 15 or older and you live in Australia or Norfolk Island, you can probably get your own Medicare card.

How do I get my own card?

It’s pretty simple to get your Medicare card. Just follow these steps:

1.  Fill out this form.

2. Bring it in to a Centrelink service centre, along with ID (your birth certificate, driver’s licence or learner’s permit, or passport).

3. Wait for Centrelink to mail you your card.

If you don’t have one already, it’s also worth checking if you’re eligible for a healthcare card or low-income healthcare card. These cards are for anyone who earns under a certain amount, or is on a Centrelink benefit. They count as concession for things like public transport, and mean the government will pay more of your health services. Find out more about concessions.

For more information please click here.